How to Install Geany on Fedora

Geany is a lightweight GTK-based text editor and integrated development environment (IDE) that balances power and simplicity. Unlike heavyweight IDEs like Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA that consume significant system resources, and unlike minimal editors like nano or vi that lack modern conveniences, Geany provides syntax highlighting, code completion, a built-in terminal, and project management without overwhelming beginners or taxing your system. Common use cases include web development with PHP and HTML, system scripting with Bash and Perl, embedded development in C and C++, and learning programming in languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript. By the end of this guide, you will have Geany installed on Fedora, understand how to manage it through DNF or Flatpak, and know how to extend it with plugins and configure it for your workflow.

Choose Your Geany Installation Method

Geany is available through Fedora’s official repositories via DNF and as a sandboxed application via Flatpak from Flathub. The DNF method installs the version tested and packaged by Fedora maintainers, while Flatpak provides application isolation and potentially newer updates independent of the Fedora release cycle.

Method	Channel	Version	Updates	Best For
DNF Package Manager	Fedora Repos	Stable	Automatic via dnf upgrade	Users who prefer distro-tested packages
Flatpak	Flathub	Latest stable	Automatic via flatpak update	Users who want sandboxing and fresher updates

For most users, the DNF method is recommended because it integrates seamlessly with system updates and requires no additional repository setup. Use Flatpak if you specifically need application sandboxing or want to track upstream releases more closely.

Method 1: Install Geany via DNF

Update Fedora Before Geany Installation

First, update your Fedora system to ensure all existing packages are current. This provides a stable foundation for new installations and reduces potential dependency conflicts.

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

The --refresh flag forces DNF to refresh repository metadata before applying updates.

Install Geany via DNF Command

After updating your system, install Geany directly from Fedora’s official repository:

sudo dnf install geany

DNF downloads and installs Geany along with its required dependencies automatically.

Verify Geany Installation

Once installation completes, verify that Geany is accessible by checking its version:

geany --version

Expected output confirming the installation:

Geany 2.1 (built on ... using GTK 3.x.x, GLib 2.x.x)

As a result, the version number confirms Geany is installed and ready to use.

Method 2: Install Geany via Flatpak and Flathub

Verify Flatpak Installation

Before proceeding, ensure Flatpak is installed on your Fedora system. Flatpak comes pre-installed on Fedora Workstation, but if you’re using Fedora Server or a minimal installation, install it with:

sudo dnf install flatpak -y

Enable Flathub for Geany Installation

Next, add the Flathub repository to access the Geany Flatpak application. Flathub often provides newer versions than distribution repositories and offers thousands of additional applications.

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists --system flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Here, the --system flag installs Flathub for all users on the system, while the --if-not-exists flag prevents errors if Flathub is already configured.

Install Geany via Flatpak Command

With Flathub enabled, install Geany using the following command:

sudo flatpak install --system flathub org.geany.Geany -y

As a result, this command installs the latest stable version of Geany from Flathub along with any required runtime dependencies.

Verify Geany Flatpak Installation

After installation, confirm the Flatpak version is available:

flatpak list --app | grep -i geany

Expected output showing the installed application:

Geany    org.geany.Geany    stable    system

Launch Geany

Launch Geany from Terminal

Once Geany is installed on your Fedora system, you can launch it from the terminal. This method is particularly useful when you want to open files directly into the editor or start Geany with specific options without navigating through the GUI.

For DNF installations, simply run the following:

geany

Alternatively, for Flatpak installations, use the full application ID instead:

flatpak run org.geany.Geany

Additionally, to open a specific file directly, append the filename to the command:

geany script.py

Launch Geany from Activities Menu

Alternatively, for desktop users, launching Geany through the graphical interface is more convenient. Simply search for “Geany” in Activities to access the application icon.

Activities > Search "Geany" > Click icon

Enhance Geany with Plugins

Beyond the core editor, Geany supports plugins that extend its functionality. Fedora provides official plugin packages that add debugging capabilities, project management tools, Git integration, and more. After installing the full plugin collection, you gain access to all available extensions, which you can then enable or disable individually through Geany’s plugin manager.

Install Geany Plugin Collection

To install the complete Geany plugin collection, use the following command:

sudo dnf install geany-plugins-*

As a result, this command installs all available Geany plugins. Alternatively, you can install individual plugins based on your specific needs.

Popular Geany Plugins

Several plugins significantly enhance Geany’s capabilities for development workflows:

• geany-plugins-debugger: Enables debugging support within Geany using GDB, allowing you to set breakpoints and step through code
• geany-plugins-geanyprj: Provides advanced project management features, including file organization and project-specific settings
• geany-plugins-addons: Adds miscellaneous enhancements like bookmarks, task lists, and column markers
• geany-plugins-geanymacro: Enables recording and playback of keyboard macros for repetitive editing tasks
• geany-plugins-commander: Provides a command palette interface for quick access to Geany functions

To install only specific plugins, use the following command instead:

sudo dnf install geany-plugins-debugger geany-plugins-geanyprj

Enable and Configure Plugins

After installing plugins, enable them through Geany’s interface:

1. Open Geany
2. Navigate to Tools → Plugin Manager
3. Check the box next to plugins you want to activate
4. Click Preferences for plugin-specific settings

Notably, some plugins add new menu items or panels that appear immediately after activation.

Useful Command-Line Options

Furthermore, Geany supports command-line options that control how files open and how the editor behaves. These options are particularly useful for creating custom file associations, integrating Geany with other tools, or working with version control systems.

Open File at Specific Line

When debugging or reviewing code, you often need to jump directly to a specific line number. Use the --line option to open a file at a particular line:

geany --line=42 script.py

As a result, this command opens script.py with the cursor positioned at line 42. Additionally, you can combine this with --column for more precise positioning:

geany --line=42 --column=10 script.py

Open Files in Read-Only Mode

To prevent accidental modifications when reviewing configuration files or system files, open them in read-only mode:

geany --read-only /etc/fstab

Consequently, this displays the file contents but prevents saving changes, protecting critical system files from unintended edits.

Open Multiple Files

Similarly, you can work on multiple related files simultaneously by listing them as separate arguments:

geany main.c header.h utils.c

As a result, each file opens in its own tab within a single Geany window, making it easy to switch between related source files.

Start Without Previous Session

By default, Geany reopens files from your last session. To start with a clean workspace instead, use the --no-session option:

geany --no-session

Consequently, this is useful when you want to start fresh without closing your previous work session permanently.

Basic Configuration Tips

Geany stores its configuration in ~/.config/geany/ and offers extensive customization through its preferences dialog. A few quick tweaks can significantly improve your editing experience.

Change Color Scheme

To adjust syntax highlighting colors for better readability or to match your preferred aesthetic:

1. Navigate to Edit → Preferences
2. Select Editor → Display
3. Under Color Scheme, choose from built-in themes like Oblivion, Tango, or Solarized
4. Click Apply to preview changes

Generally, dark themes like Oblivion reduce eye strain during long coding sessions.

Configure Built-In Terminal

Additionally, Geany includes an embedded terminal that appears in the message window panel. To customize its behavior:

1. Open Edit → Preferences
2. Select Terminal
3. Set your preferred shell (bash, zsh, etc.)
4. Adjust scrollback lines and cursor appearance

Notably, the terminal tab appears at the bottom of the Geany window, accessible via View → Show Message Window if hidden.

Set Default File Encoding

For consistent file handling across different systems, set a default encoding:

1. Go to Edit → Preferences
2. Select Editor → General
3. Under Default Encoding, choose UTF-8 (recommended for most use cases)

As a result, UTF-8 ensures compatibility with special characters and international text across all platforms.

Manage Geany

Update Geany

Keeping Geany updated ensures you have the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches. The update method depends on your installation approach.

DNF Update Method for Geany

For DNF installations, Geany updates automatically when you upgrade your system packages:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Consequently, this command updates all installed packages, including Geany, to their latest versions available in Fedora repositories.

Flatpak Update Method for Geany

Alternatively, if you installed Geany via Flatpak, update it with the following command:

sudo flatpak update --system

Similarly, this command updates all system-wide Flatpak applications and runtimes to their latest versions from Flathub.

Remove Geany

If you need to uninstall Geany, use the command corresponding to your installation method. Complete removal includes the application, its dependencies, and user configuration files.

DNF Remove Method for Geany

To remove the DNF-installed version of Geany along with its orphaned dependencies:

sudo dnf remove geany

DNF automatically removes unused dependencies when clean_requirements_on_remove=True is set in /etc/dnf/dnf.conf (the Fedora default).

Next, verify the package is removed:

rpm -q geany

If the package is removed, the command returns package geany is not installed.

Flatpak Remove Method for Geany

Similarly, for Flatpak installations, remove Geany and its application data with the following command:

sudo flatpak uninstall --system --delete-data org.geany.Geany -y

Here, the --delete-data flag removes application-specific data stored in ~/.var/app/org.geany.Geany/.

After uninstalling applications, clean up unused Flatpak runtimes to reclaim disk space:

sudo flatpak uninstall --system --unused -y

Finally, verify removal by listing installed Flatpak applications:

flatpak list --app | grep -i geany

No output confirms the application is removed.

Remove User Configuration Files

Both installation methods create user-specific configuration files in your home directory. These files persist after uninstalling Geany and contain your editor preferences, recent file history, and plugin settings.

Warning: The following commands permanently delete your Geany configuration files, including custom keybindings, color schemes, and plugin settings. If you plan to reinstall Geany later and want to preserve your settings, back up these directories first with cp -r ~/.config/geany ~/geany-backup.

To complete the removal, delete the Geany configuration directories:

rm -rf ~/.config/geany
rm -rf ~/.cache/geany

However, for Flatpak installations, the sandboxed data directory is already removed by the --delete-data flag shown above.

Troubleshooting Geany Installation

Flathub Remote Disabled Error

If you encounter an error when trying to install Geany via Flatpak stating that the Flathub remote is disabled, the repository exists but is currently inactive on your system.

The error message looks like this:

error: Unable to load summary from remote flathub: Can't fetch summary from disabled remote 'flathub'

Typically, this occurs when Flathub was previously added but later disabled. First, check the remote status:

flatpak remotes

Expected output showing disabled status:

flathub    system    (disabled)

Then, enable the Flathub remote:

sudo flatpak remote-modify --enable --system flathub

Finally, verify Flathub is now active:

flatpak remotes

Expected output confirming enablement:

flathub    system

After enabling Flathub successfully, retry the Geany installation command.

Conclusion

You now have Geany installed on Fedora using either the DNF package manager or Flatpak. The DNF method provides seamless system integration and automatic updates through your regular system upgrade routine, while the Flatpak approach offers application sandboxing and access to upstream releases independent of Fedora’s release cycle. To maximize your development workflow, consider installing complementary tools like Git for version control, Neovim for advanced text editing, Visual Studio Code for full IDE features, Code::Blocks for C/C++ development, or GitHub Desktop for Git repository management. Keep Geany updated through your chosen installation method to access the latest features and security improvements.