Last Update: 2023-07-18
Experience the power of Linux on FydeOS, also known as Crostini. This feature allows you to run Linux applications for development alongside your regular FydeOS desktop and apps. It offers developers the best of both worlds, combining the simplicity and security of FydeOS with the freedom to run your favorite editors, IDEs, and thousands of world-class development tools in one container.
#Setting Up Linux on FydeOS
Setting up Linux, or Crostini, on FydeOS is a straightforward process:
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Enable Linux: Navigate to Settings, expand the "Advanced" menu, and select "Developers". Click on "Turn on" Linux.
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Installation: Click "Next" on the prompt box that appears. FydeOS will automatically install the necessary files and set up your Linux container. This process may take a few minutes depending on your hardware configuration, so please be patient.
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Accessing the Terminal: Once the installation is complete, a new Terminal app will appear. We recommend pinning this application to your shelf for easy access to your Linux container in the future. To do this, right-click on the Terminal app icon and select "Pin".
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Update APT Repository: Your Debian Linux installation is now ready. It's a good practice to update the APT repository index and install. APT is a command-line package manager for Debian, and keeping it updated ensures you're always installing the latest versions of tools in its repository. Run the following command in the Terminal:
sudo apt update -
Accessing Linux Files: FydeOS has mapped the user folder in the Linux subsystem to the system's file manager. You can access these files through the "File" app in the apps launcher. FydeOS has added a new "Linux files" option, which corresponds to the home folder in the Terminal.
Congratulations! Your Linux container is now set up and ready to use.
#Sharing Files with Linux
You can easily share files with the Linux container:
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Copying Files: Open the Files app, drag the directory or file you want to access, and drop it into "Linux files".
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Sharing Directories: If you don't want to make a copy, you can share directories from outside the Linux container. To do this, ensure that Linux is set up, open the Files app, find the directory you want to share, right-click on it, and select "Share with Linux". These shared folders will be located at /mnt/chromeos in the Linux container. Access them by running
cd /mnt/chromeosin the Terminal.
#Restarting the Linux Container
If you encounter issues with Linux, you can restart the container without restarting your entire FydeOS. Right-click on the Terminal app in your shelf and click "Shut down Linux". Once shut down, the applications will appear in the launcher, and selecting one will restart your Linux container.
#Backing Up and Restoring
The Linux environment on FydeOS runs inside a container, which means you can back up your environment and restore it, including files, apps, and all. This feature allows you to set up your Linux environment once and take it with you without needing to reconfigure it again. To do this, navigate to "Settings" > "Developers" > "Linux development environment" > "Backup & restore".