▶ FIELD MANUAL // TOOLS N TOYS

# COMPLETE APPIMAGE
INSTALLATION GUIDE

Universal Methods for Any AppImage Application

## What is AppImage?

AppImage is a portable application format for Linux. Think of it like a Windows `.exe` - it's a single file that contains everything the application needs to run.

Key Features

- No installation required - just download and run
- No root/sudo needed - runs as regular user
- Self-contained - includes all dependencies
- Portable - works across different Linux distributions
- No system pollution - doesn't scatter files everywhere
- Easy to remove - just delete the file

## Method 1: Quick & Dirty (Just Run It)

The simplest way - no integration with system menus.

### Step 1: Download AppImage

BASH

    # Example: Download to Downloads folder
    cd ~/Downloads
    wget https://example.com/app-name.AppImage

    # Or use your browser to download

### Step 2: Make Executable

BASH

    chmod +x ~/Downloads/app-name.AppImage

### Step 3: Run It

BASH

    ./app-name.AppImage

Pros & Cons

Pros: Immediate, no system changes, easy to test.

Cons: Not in application menu, must run from terminal/file manager, no desktop integration.

## Method 2: Proper Installation (Recommended)

Integrate AppImage into your system like a native application.

1. 1Create AppImages Directory: `mkdir -p ~/Applications`
2. 2Move AppImage to Applications: `mv ~/Downloads/app-name.AppImage ~/Applications/`
3. 3Make Executable: `chmod +x ~/Applications/app-name.AppImage`
4. 4Create Desktop Entry Manual Method (universal): `nano ~/.local/share/applications/app-name.desktop`

### Desktop Entry Template

INI

    [Desktop Entry]
    Type=Application
    Name=Application Name
    Comment=Brief description of the app
    Icon=/home/jl-kruger/Applications/app-name-icon.png
    Exec=/home/jl-kruger/Applications/app-name.AppImage
    Terminal=false
    Categories=Utility;

BASH

    chmod +x ~/.local/share/applications/app-name.desktop
    update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/

### Step 4: Extract Icon (Optional)

BASH

    cd ~/Applications
    ./app-name.AppImage --appimage-extract
    cp squashfs-root/path/to/icon.png ~/Applications/app-name-icon.png
    rm -rf squashfs-root

## Method 3: AppImageLauncher (Automated Integration)

AppImageLauncher automatically integrates AppImages when you first run them.

BASH — Ubuntu/Mint/Debian

    cd ~/Downloads
    wget https://github.com/TheAssassin/AppImageLauncher/releases/download/v2.2.0/appimagelauncher_2.2.0-travis995.0f91801.bionic_amd64.deb
    sudo apt install ./appimagelauncher_*.deb

Benefits

Fully automated process, consistent management, built-in update checking, and easy removal.

## Complete Desktop Entry Reference

### Full-Featured Entry

INI

    [Desktop Entry]
    Type=Application
    Name=Application Name
    Exec=/home/jl-kruger/Applications/app-name.AppImage %u
    Comment=What this application does
    Icon=/home/jl-kruger/Applications/app-icon.png
    Terminal=false
    Categories=Utility;Development;
    GenericName=Generic description
    Keywords=search;terms;keywords;
    StartupNotify=true
    MimeType=text/plain;text/html;

## Updating AppImages

AppImages don't auto-update. Manual update process:

BASH

    mv ~/Applications/app-name.AppImage ~/Applications/app-name.AppImage.old
    mv ~/Downloads/app-name-new-version.AppImage ~/Applications/app-name.AppImage
    chmod +x ~/Applications/app-name.AppImage
    rm ~/Applications/app-name.AppImage.old

## Removing AppImages

BASH

    rm ~/Applications/app-name.AppImage
    rm ~/.local/share/applications/app-name.desktop
    update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/
    rm -rf ~/.config/app-name

## Troubleshooting

FUSE Errors

Install FUSE: `sudo apt install fuse libfuse2`

Permissions
`chmod +x app-name.AppImage`

## Format Comparison

Feature | AppImage | Flatpak | Snap | .deb
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
No root needed | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗
Single file | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗
Auto-updates | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓
Startup speed | Fast | Slow | Slow | Fast

## Best Practices

### Directory Structure

    ~/Applications/
      ├── logseq.AppImage
      ├── logseq-icon.png
    ~/.local/share/applications/
      ├── logseq.desktop

## Finding AppImages

- Project's GitHub Releases Page
- Official Project Website
- AppImageHub (archived)

## Quick Reference Commands

ESSENTIAL COMMANDS

    chmod +x app-name.AppImage
    ./app-name.AppImage
    ./app-name.AppImage --appimage-extract
    update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/

## Real-World Example: Installing Logseq

1. 1Download AppImage from GitHub.
2. 2Move to `~/Applications/` and `chmod +x`.
3. 3Extract icon and create `.desktop` entry.
4. 4Launch via `gtk-launch logseq`.

## Additional Resources

- AppImage Documentation
- AppImageLauncher GitHub