snap and flatpak in Linux CLI - Commands & Configuration

Introduction

Installing software on Linux can be tricky because different distributions use different package systems. Snap and Flatpak are tools that let you install apps easily and safely, no matter which Linux version you use.

When you want to install the latest version of an app regardless of your Linux distribution.

When you want to try an app without worrying about breaking your system.

When you want apps to be isolated so they don't interfere with each other or your system.

When you want to update apps automatically without manual intervention.

When you want to install apps that are not available in your Linux distribution's default store.

Commands

This command installs the VLC media player using Snap. Snap packages work on many Linux systems and include all needed dependencies.

Terminal

sudo snap install vlc

Expected Output

vlc 3.0.18 from VideoLAN✓ installed

This command lists all the Snap packages installed on your system so you can see what apps you have.

Terminal

snap list

Expected Output

Name  Version  Rev  Tracking  Publisher  Notes

vlc   3.0.18   2345 stable    videolan✓  -

This command installs the GIMP image editor from Flathub using Flatpak. The -y flag automatically confirms the installation.

Terminal

flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP -y

Expected Output

Looking for matches…

Required runtime for org.gimp.GIMP/x86_64/stable found in remote flathub

Installing…

Installation complete.

→

-y - Automatically confirm installation without asking

This command shows all Flatpak apps installed on your system so you can check what you have.

Terminal

flatpak list

Expected Output

Name    Application ID          Version Branch Installation

GIMP    org.gimp.GIMP           2.10.30 stable system

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else, remember: Snap and Flatpak let you install and run apps safely and easily on any Linux system without worrying about dependencies.

Common Mistakes

Trying to install a Snap package without sudo privileges

Snap requires admin rights to install apps, so the command will fail without sudo.

Always use sudo before snap install commands to have the needed permissions.

Not adding the Flathub repository before installing Flatpak apps

Flatpak needs the Flathub remote repository to find many popular apps; without it, installation fails.

Run 'flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo' once before installing apps.

Confusing Snap and Flatpak commands or mixing their package names

Snap and Flatpak are different systems with different commands and app IDs; mixing them causes errors.

Use snap commands for Snap packages and flatpak commands for Flatpak packages, and use the correct app names.

Summary

Use 'sudo snap install appname' to install apps with Snap.

Use 'snap list' to see installed Snap apps.

Use 'flatpak install flathub appid -y' to install apps with Flatpak from Flathub.

Use 'flatpak list' to see installed Flatpak apps.

Snap and Flatpak help run apps safely and easily on any Linux distribution.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using snap and flatpak on Linux?

easy

A. To replace the Linux kernel with a new version

B. To install and run applications in a safe, isolated way

C. To manage user accounts and permissions

D. To compile source code into executable programs

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of snap and flatpak

   Snap and Flatpak are tools to install and run apps safely on Linux by isolating them from the system.

2. Step 2: Compare options with this purpose

   The remaining options describe unrelated system tasks like kernel replacement, user management, and code compilation, so they are incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   To install and run applications in a safe, isolated way -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Snap and Flatpak isolate apps = A [OK]

Hint: Snap and Flatpak isolate apps for safety and easy install [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking snap/flatpak manage system settings
• Confusing them with system update tools
• Assuming they compile code

2. Which command correctly installs the VLC media player using snap?

easy

A. snap install vlc

B. flatpak install vlc

C. snap get vlc

D. flatpak run vlc

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the snap install syntax

   The correct command to install a snap package is snap install [package].

2. Step 2: Check options for VLC installation

   'snap get vlc' is not for installing. 'flatpak install vlc' uses the wrong tool for snap. 'snap install vlc' matches the correct syntax. 'flatpak run vlc' launches but does not install.

3. Final Answer:

   snap install vlc -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Snap install command = C [OK]

Hint: Use 'snap install' to add apps via snap quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'snap get' instead of 'snap install'
• Confusing flatpak commands with snap
• Trying to run app before installing

3. What will be the output of the command flatpak list if you have installed two apps: VLC and GIMP?

medium

A. VLC and GIMP listed with their app IDs and versions

B. No output, command not found

C. Only VLC listed

D. Error: No apps installed

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what 'flatpak list' does

   This command shows all installed flatpak apps with details like app ID and version.

2. Step 2: Apply to given apps

   Since VLC and GIMP are installed, both will appear in the list with their info.

3. Final Answer:

   VLC and GIMP listed with their app IDs and versions -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   flatpak list shows installed apps = B [OK]

Hint: flatpak list shows all installed apps and details [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting no output or error if apps exist
• Thinking it lists only one app
• Confusing with snap commands

4. You run snap remove vlc but get an error saying "error: no matching snaps installed". What is the likely problem?

medium

A. You need to use 'snap uninstall' instead

B. You typed the command incorrectly

C. Snap service is not running

D. VLC was installed using flatpak, not snap

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the error message

   The error means snap cannot find an installed package named vlc.

2. Step 2: Consider installation methods

   If VLC was installed via flatpak, snap won't see it. So removing with snap fails.

3. Final Answer:

   VLC was installed using flatpak, not snap -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Snap can't remove apps installed by flatpak = A [OK]

Hint: Check if app was installed by snap or flatpak before removing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming 'snap uninstall' is valid (it's 'remove')
• Ignoring which package manager installed the app
• Thinking snap service status causes this error

5. You want to automate installing multiple apps using flatpak in a script. Which snippet correctly installs VLC and GIMP and then lists installed apps?

hard

A. flatpak install -y org.videolan.VLC org.gimp.GIMP; snap list

B. flatpak install org.videolan.VLC org.gimp.GIMP && flatpak list

C. flatpak install -y flathub org.videolan.VLC org.gimp.GIMP && flatpak list

D. flatpak install -y org.videolan.VLC && flatpak install org.gimp.GIMP && flatpak list

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand flatpak install syntax for multiple apps

   You can install multiple apps in one command by listing them after 'flatpak install'. The '-y' flag auto-confirms prompts.

2. Step 2: Check command chaining and listing

   flatpak install -y flathub org.videolan.VLC org.gimp.GIMP && flatpak list installs both apps with '-y' and explicit remote, then lists. flatpak install org.videolan.VLC org.gimp.GIMP && flatpak list misses '-y', so prompts block automation. flatpak install -y org.videolan.VLC && flatpak install org.gimp.GIMP && flatpak list uses separate commands but misses '-y' on second install, causing a prompt. flatpak install -y org.videolan.VLC org.gimp.GIMP; snap list mixes flatpak install with snap list, which won't show flatpaks.

3. Final Answer:

   flatpak install -y flathub org.videolan.VLC org.gimp.GIMP && flatpak list -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use '-y' for auto yes and chain commands = D [OK]

Hint: Use '-y' to auto-confirm and chain commands with && [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting '-y' causes manual prompts
• Mixing snap and flatpak commands
• Installing apps one by one unnecessarily