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How to Install Budgie Desktop on Debian 12/11/10
Last Updated on by Joshua James
Budgie Desktop Environment offers an enticing alternative to the default GNOME desktop for Debian users. With its modern design, streamlined user experience, and customization features, it’s an option well worth considering. In this introduction, let’s delve into what sets Budgie apart and why it might just be the game-changer you’re looking for.
Notable Differences Between Budgie and GNOME
Customization Galore: Budgie comes with a rich set of customization options. You can tailor your desktop to match your aesthetic preferences and workflow.
Lightweight Nature: Budgie is known for being lighter on resources compared to GNOME. This can lead to a more responsive and snappy experience, particularly on older hardware.
Applets and Widgets: Budgie’s panel is highly versatile, allowing users to add applets and widgets easily. This can boost productivity and ensure that you have all the information you need at your fingertips.
Raven Sidebar: This is a signature feature of Budgie. The Raven sidebar integrates notifications and custom applets in a sleek interface, which can be invoked with just a single click or hotkey.
Modern but Familiar: Budgie manages to strike a balance between a modern UI design and familiar desktop paradigm. This makes it appealing and intuitive, even for those used to more traditional desktop environments.
Now, you might wonder what this means for Debian users. Well, Debian is renowned for its stability, but sometimes at the expense of newer features and aesthetics. Budgie bridges this gap by bringing in a fresh look and additional functionality without compromising the underlying stability of Debian.
Trust and Compatibility
Budgie has been developed to provide a polished and reliable desktop environment. It is built on top of GNOME technologies, which means it carries a level of trust and compatibility. Moreover, it is actively maintained, ensuring that you receive timely updates and support.
Wrapping up this introduction, let’s move on to what you’ve been waiting for – the guide that will lead you through the process of installing the Budgie Desktop Environment on Debian. Whether you are using Debian 12 Bookworm, Debian 11 Bullseye, or Debian 10 Buster, this guide has got you covered. Harness the APT Package Manager as we walk through to get Budgie up and running on your Debian system.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Install Budgie Desktop Environment
Step 1: Update Debian Linux System Packages
Before we venture into installing the Budgie Desktop Environment, it is essential to make sure that your Debian system is up-to-date. Keeping the system updated ensures compatibility and security. Execute the following command to update the package lists and upgrade the installed packages:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
The apt update command updates the package lists, and apt upgrade installs the latest versions of installed packages.
Step 2: Install Budgie Desktop
With your system up-to-date, you can now proceed to install the Budgie Desktop Environment. Run the following command to perform the installation:
sudo apt install budgie-desktop
Alternatively, for an enriched experience with additional features, you may opt to install the recommended packages alongside Budgie. These packages are still lightweight, making them a valuable addition without much overhead:
This variation of the command installs Budgie along with suggested packages that enhance functionality.
Step 3: Select LightDM during Installation
As the installation progresses, a prompt will appear in your terminal asking you to choose between “GDM” or “LightDM” as your display manager. Budgie works optimally with LightDM, so it is advisable to select this option.
Ensure you use the arrow keys to select LightDM and press Enter to proceed.
Now that Budgie Desktop Environment is installed and configured with LightDM, it is necessary to reboot your system for these changes to take effect.
Execute the following command to reboot your system:
sudo reboot
Section 2: Logging into Budgie Desktop Environment
Now that the Budgie Desktop Environment is installed on your Debian system, it’s time to experience it first-hand. This section will elucidate the critical steps needed to successfully log into Budgie for the first time. Pay close attention, as this is a pivotal moment in transitioning to your new desktop environment.
Step 1: Select Budgie at the Login Screen
When your system restarts, you’ll find yourself at the login screen. However, it’s crucial that you don’t proceed to log in just yet. First, you need to tell the system that you want to use the Budgie Desktop Environment.
Look for an option or icon, usually represented as a gear or cogwheel, which allows you to change the desktop environment. Click on it, and in the dropdown menu, select “Budgie”. This action ensures that when you log in, you will be greeted with the Budgie Desktop instead of the default environment.
With Budgie selected as your desktop environment, you can now enter your username and password as usual and proceed to log in.
Section 3: Tips for Getting Started with Budgie Desktop Environment on Debian Linux
Diving into the Budgie Desktop Environment is an exciting venture. With its modern aesthetics and a plethora of customization options, Budgie stands out as a top choice for Debian Linux users. This section will provide invaluable tips to help you hit the ground running. From general tips to customization, and more, let’s unearth the potential of Budgie on your Debian Linux system.
General Tips
Access Raven: Budgie comes with a unique feature called Raven. It is a sidebar that hosts your notifications and applets. You can access it by clicking on the Raven icon in the top panel or pressing Super + N. This sidebar is central to enhancing productivity and managing your workspace efficiently.
Take Advantage of Alt + Tab: Just like other desktop environments, Budgie supports window switching with Alt + Tab. This quick window navigation is indispensable for multitasking.
Utilize Workspaces: Budgie provides multiple workspaces that allow you to group related windows together. You can use Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow or Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow to navigate through them.
Customization Tips
Change the Theme: To change the theme, open “Budgie Desktop Settings”. Under the “Style” tab, you can choose your desired Widget theme, Icon theme, and more.
Customize Top Panel: Budgie’s top panel is highly customizable. Open “Budgie Desktop Settings” and go to the “Top Panel” section. Here you can add or remove applets, adjust the size, and tweak the panel’s position.
Customize Window Behavior: Tailor window behavior to your liking by going to “Budgie Desktop Settings” and selecting the “Windows” section. Here, you can enable “Click to focus” or “Focus follows mouse” depending on your preference.
Other Tips
Add Applets: You can enhance the functionality of Budgie by adding applets. Go to “Budgie Desktop Settings”, and under the “Panel” section, click the “+” sign to add applets. These range from workspace switchers to quicknotes, providing you additional tools at your fingertips.
Enable Night Light: If you often work late hours, enable the Night Light feature to reduce eye strain. Head to “Budgie Desktop Settings” > “Notifications & Actions” > “Night Light” and toggle it on.
Quick Command Execution: Press Alt + F2 to open a dialog where you can quickly type and execute a command without opening the terminal.
With these tips, you are well-equipped to make the most of the Budgie Desktop Environment on your Debian Linux system. Customize it to your liking, explore the features, and enjoy a productive and visually engaging experience.
Section 4: Managing Your Budgie Desktop Deployment on Debian Linux
In the realm of Linux desktop environments, Budgie stands out for its elegance and modern features. However, like any powerful tool, it requires some mastery and astuteness in administration to harness its full potential. This section offers insights on administering your Budgie Desktop Environment on Debian Linux. We will delve into key aspects such as transitioning between display managers and how to safely remove the Budgie Desktop Environment if needed.
Transitioning Between Display Managers
As you delve into your Budgie Desktop journey, there may come a time when you need to switch your default display manager. By default, Budgie employs LightDM as its display manager, but sometimes you might want to switch to GDM (GNOME Display Manager) or another display manager based on your preferences or needs.
To undertake this change, open your terminal. The terminal is the command-line interface that allows you to interact with your system at a more granular level. Input the following command, which triggers the reconfiguration of your display manager:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm
This command launches a configuration interface, enabling you to select your desired display manager from the options provided.
After making your choice, a system reboot is necessary to cement the changes. This is done to ensure that the system initializes with the new settings. You can reboot by executing:
sudo reboot
Safely Removing Budgie Desktop Environment
If for any reason you decide that the Budgie Desktop Environment is no longer aligned with your needs, you can cleanly remove it from your Debian Linux system.
Before proceeding with the removal, it’s prudent to switch your display manager from LightDM back to GDM3 or another manager that you might be transitioning to. This ensures that your system doesn’t encounter issues when Budgie is removed. You can reconfigure your display manager with the command:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm
Now, to remove the Budgie Desktop Environment along with its components, execute the following command:
sudo apt autoremove '^budgie' --purge
This command tells the system to automatically remove Budgie and any associated packages, while also purging configuration files.
Following the removal, you might want to install another desktop environment. For instance, if you are transitioning back to the GNOME desktop, you’ll need to ensure the necessary packages are installed. Use the following command to reinstall the GNOME desktop and its display manager:
Once again, it is imperative to reboot the system to make sure all changes take effect:
sudo reboot
Closing Thoughts and Links
In summary, installing the Budgie Desktop Environment on Debian Linux is a process that rewards the user with an elegant and modern workspace. We covered the essential steps including installation, logging into Budgie for the first time, administrative tasks like transitioning between display managers, and even the safe removal process. These key takeaways serve as a solid foundation for both newcomers and experienced users who seek to employ Budgie Desktop Environment on their Debian Linux systems efficiently.
Additional Resources and Links
For those who are eager to delve deeper and explore more about the Budgie Desktop Environment, here are some invaluable official resources:
Budgie Desktop GitHub Repository: This is the official Budgie Desktop source code repository on GitHub. It’s an essential resource for developers and users who are looking to contribute or dive into the codebase.
Budgie Documentation: The official Budgie documentation is a treasure trove of information. It covers a wide range of topics from installation guides to advanced configuration and customization options.
Budgie Blog: This is the official blog of Budgie Desktop. It’s an excellent source to stay updated with the latest news, releases, and announcements related to the Budgie Desktop Environment.
