How to Install GitHub Desktop on Manjaro Linux

In today’s software development landscape, efficient collaboration and version control is indispensable. GitHub, a popular web-based platform for version control and collaboration, offers a powerful desktop client that simplifies the management of repositories and streamlines the Git workflow. In this introduction, we’ll explore the key features and benefits of the GitHub Desktop Client.

Key Features and Benefits:

  1. User-Friendly Interface: GitHub Desktop Client boasts an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, allowing beginners and experienced users to manage repositories and perform Git operations effortlessly.
  2. Cross-Platform Compatibility: The client is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent experience across various devices.
  3. Streamlined Git Workflow: The GitHub Desktop Client simplifies the Git workflow by offering a visual representation of branches, commits, and merges, making it easier to manage and review code changes.
  4. Seamless Integration with GitHub: The client integrates seamlessly with your GitHub account, enabling you to sync repositories, collaborate on projects, and stay up-to-date with the latest changes.
  5. Clone, Create, and Publish Repositories: The GitHub Desktop Client allows you to clone existing repositories, create new ones, and publish them to GitHub with just a few clicks.
  6. Collaboration Tools: The client offers a suite of collaboration tools, such as the ability to view pull requests, add comments, and resolve merge conflicts, all within the desktop application.
  7. Built-In Merge Conflict Resolution: The GitHub Desktop Client comes with a built-in merge conflict resolution tool, simplifying the process of resolving conflicts and ensuring a smooth collaboration experience.

Now that you better understand the GitHub Desktop Client’s features and benefits, it’s time to take advantage of this powerful tool on your Manjaro Linux system. The following guide will demonstrate how to install the GitHub Desktop Client on Manjaro Linux from the AUR.

Step 1: Update Manjaro

To ensure a smooth installation of the GitHub desktop client on your Manjaro Linux computer, it’s crucial to update your system and install all available package upgrades.

To update your Manjaro system, you can run the following command in the terminal:

sudo pacman -Syu

Step 2: Enable AUR for PAMAC AUR Helper

The Arch User Repository (AUR) is a community-driven repository of user-contributed packages for Arch-based Linux distributions, including Manjaro. AUR allows you to easily install software unavailable in the official repositories, making it an essential tool for Manjaro users.

By default, AUR is disabled on Manjaro Linux to ensure the system’s stability and security. To enable AUR, you will need to edit the Pacman configuration file. The simplest way to do this is by using the sed command below:

sudo sed -Ei '/EnableAUR/s/^#//' /etc/pamac.conf

This command uses sed to find the “EnableAUR” line in the “pamac.conf” file and remove the “#” at the beginning of the line, which enables AUR.

Step 3: Install GitHub Desktop Client

With AUR enabled on your Manjaro system, you can now use various software options. Installing software from AUR is easy and can be done using the pamac package-management helper in the command terminal.

To install the GitHub desktop client using pamac, you can run the following command:

pamac build github-desktop-bin

This command will download the package and build it on your system. The -bin suffix indicates that this package is a pre-built binary package, meaning it doesn’t require additional compilation. Once the build process is complete, the package will be installed on your system, and you can start using the GitHub desktop client.

Step 4: Launch GitHub Desktop

With the GitHub desktop client successfully installed on your Manjaro Linux system, you can now use it to manage your repositories. Launching the application can be done in a few ways.

First, you can launch the application immediately by typing the following command in the terminal:

github-desktop

However, this method may not be practical as it requires you to open the terminal whenever you want to use the application.

The more convenient way to open the GitHub desktop client is by using the graphical interface of your Manjaro Linux system. You can do this by following these steps:

  1. Click on the taskbar located in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. Select the “Development” category.
  3. Click on “GitHub Desktop” to launch the application.

This method lets you quickly access the GitHub desktop client without opening the terminal. You can add the GitHub desktop client to your favorites or pin it to your taskbar for faster access.

Example:

launch github desktop client on manjaro linux

When you open the GitHub desktop client for the first time, you’ll be greeted with an interface that allows you to create, clone, and manage repositories on your local machine. Here are some tips to help you get started with the GitHub desktop client:

  • Connect to GitHub: To connect the desktop client to your GitHub account, click on the “Sign in to GitHub.com” button in the top-right corner of the window. Enter your GitHub username and password to sign in.
  • Create a repository: To create a new repository, click on the “Create a new repository” button in the center of the window. Enter a name for your repository, choose a location on your local machine, and click on the “Create repository” button.
  • Clone a repository: To clone an existing repository, click on the “Clone a repository” button in the center of the window. Enter the URL of the repository you want to clone, choose a location on your local machine, and click on the “Clone repository” button.
  • Check for updates: To check for updates to the GitHub desktop client, click on the “Updates” button in the bottom-left corner of the window. If an update is available, click the “Install Update” button to download and install it.
  • Customize the interface: To customize the interface of the GitHub desktop client, click on the “Preferences” button in the window’s top-left corner. Here you can change the client’s appearance, configure your Git settings, and more.
  • Explore the GitHub community: The GitHub community is vast and offers a wide range of resources and tools to help you get the most out of the platform. Check out the GitHub Marketplace to find tools and services that integrate with GitHub, and explore the GitHub Guides to learn more about the platform’s features and capabilities.

Example of GitHub desktop client on Manjaro Linux:

example of github desktop client working on manjaro linux

Additional Tips

Update GitHub Desktop

After installing GitHub Desktop, it is important to keep it up-to-date to ensure you can access the latest features and bug fixes. To do this, you can run the following commands in the terminal:

sudo pamac checkupdates -a

This command checks for available updates for all installed packages, including GitHub Desktop.

sudo pamac upgrade -a

This command installs any available updates for all installed packages.

It is recommended to run these commands periodically, even if you have enabled automatic updates through the GUI, to ensure that you do not miss any updates.

Remove (Uninstall) GitHub Desktop

If you no longer want GitHub Desktop installed on your system, you can easily remove it by running the command:

pamac remove github-desktop-bin

To clean up any unused files or packages that may be taking up space on your system, you can use the following commands:

pamac remove -o

Suppose you previously enabled the AUR on your Manjaro system and later decided you no longer want to use it. In that case, you can easily disable it by running the following command:

sudo sed -Ei '/EnableAUR/s/^/#/' /etc/pamac.conf

This command comments out the “EnableAUR” line in the pamac.conf file, effectively disabling the AUR.

Conclusion

In summary, the GitHub Desktop Client is invaluable for enhancing collaboration and streamlining version control processes on Manjaro Linux. By installing the client from the AUR, users can leverage its intuitive interface and powerful features to manage repositories, collaborate on projects, and simplify their Git workflows. The seamless integration with GitHub and cross-platform compatibility make it an essential addition to any developer’s toolkit, regardless of their experience level.

Additional Resources

For further information relating to this article or learning more about GitHub or topics covered here, please visit the links below:

  1. Manjaro Linux Official Documentation: Dive into Manjaro’s official documentation to better understand the system and its package management capabilities. URL: https://wiki.manjaro.org/
  2. Arch User Repository (AUR) Guide: Learn more about the AUR, its purpose, and how to contribute to this community-driven repository. URL: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Arch_User_Repository
  3. Pamac AUR Helper Documentation: Explore Pamac’s features, usage, and configuration options to maximize its potential as an AUR helper. URL: https://wiki.manjaro.org/index.php/Pamac
  4. GitHub Desktop Official Website: Visit the GitHub Desktop official website for the latest releases, documentation, and support resources. URL: https://desktop.github.com/

Your Mastodon Instance
Share to...