Geeqie is a free, open-source image viewer and organizer for Linux, Unix, and MacOS systems. It provides users advanced features like image file format support, color management, and batch processing. Geeqie was initially released in 2008 as a fork of the GQview image viewer, which was discontinued.
Some of the key features of Geeqie that make it stand out from other image viewers include:
- Support many image formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, RAW, and many others.
- Support for color management using the Little CMS library, allowing for accurate color rendering across different devices and color spaces.
- Advanced image processing features, such as batch conversion, resizing, and cropping, and support for image adjustments like brightness, contrast, and gamma correction.
- Customizable user interface with the ability to change themes, layouts, and keyboard shortcuts to suit individual preferences.
- Integration with external tools and plugins, such as GIMP, ImageMagick, and ExifTool, to extend its functionality.
The guide will demonstrate how to install Geeqie Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa using the APT package manager with Ubuntu’s default repository.
Table of Contents
Update Ubuntu
Updating your system with all existing packages is recommended to ensure a smooth installation process. Execute the following command in your terminal to update:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Install Geeqie on Ubuntu
The best method is to use Ubuntu’s default repository. To install Geeqie with Ubuntu’s default repository, open your terminal and type in the following command:
sudo apt install geeqie
How to Launch Geeqie
Launching it is a breeze now that you’ve successfully installed Geeqie on your Ubuntu system. In this section, we’ll show you two different ways to launch Geeqie, depending on your preferences.
If you prefer using the terminal to launch applications, you can type the following command in your terminal to launch Geeqie:
geeqie
Launching Geeqie from the applications menu is likely the most convenient option if you’re using a desktop environment. To do so, follow these steps:
- Click on the Activities button in the top-left corner of your desktop.
- Search for “Show Applications” in the search bar and click on it.
- In the list of applications that appear, locate “Geeqie” and click on it.
Example of Geeqie Application icon in Show Applications:

If you’re using Geeqie for the first time on your Ubuntu system, you may need some guidance on how to get started. Here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate and use Geeqie with ease:
- Importing Images To start using Geeqie, you must import your images. You can do this by clicking on “File” in the top-left corner of the window and selecting “Open” or by pressing the “Ctrl + O” keys on your keyboard. Once you’ve selected the image or images you want to open, click “Open” to import them into Geeqie.
- Navigating Images Once your images are imported into Geeqie, you can navigate through them using the arrow keys on your keyboard or by clicking on the “Next” and “Previous” buttons in the toolbar at the top of the window. You can also use the scroll wheel on your mouse to navigate through your images.
- Basic Editing Features Geeqie also provides basic image editing features such as crop, resize, and rotate. To access these features, select the image you want to edit and click on “Image” in the top-left corner of the window. From there, you can choose the editing feature you want to use.
- Keyboard Shortcuts Geeqie provides a range of keyboard shortcuts that can make using the application much more efficient. Some of the most useful shortcuts include:
- Ctrl + O: Open image(s)
- Ctrl + S: Save the image
- Ctrl + Shift + S: Save as
- Ctrl + C: Copy
- Ctrl + V: Paste
- Customizing the Interface Geeqie also allows you to customize the interface to suit your preferences. You can change the layout and theme and even create your keyboard shortcuts. To access these customization options, click “Edit” in the window’s top-left corner and select “Preferences.”
Example of Geeqie on Ubuntu Desktop:
Additional Commands for Geeqie on Ubuntu
How to Update Geeqie
To update Geeqie, you can use the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgrade
This command will update both Geeqie and any other system packages that may require updating. It’s a good practice to run this command regularly to ensure your system is current.
How to Remove (Uninstall) Geeqie
If you no longer need Geeqie on your system, you can easily remove it using the following command:
sudo apt remove geeqie
This command will remove Geeqie and any associated configuration files from your system.
Conclusion: Installing Geeqie on Ubuntu
In conclusion, Geeqie is a powerful and versatile image viewer available for Ubuntu users through the default repository or the Launchpad PPA by Rob Savory. The default repository version is stable and suitable for most users, while the PPA version provides access to the latest version with all the latest features and bug fixes.