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Packaging apps for Linux

Parcel creates packages for different Linux package managers and distribution methods.

Supported Package Formats​

FormatCLI codeBest suited for
DEB package (.deb)debDebian, Ubuntu, and other Debian-based distributions
RPM package (.rpm)rpmFedora, RHEL, and other RPM-based distributions
ZIP archive (.zip)zipPortable distribution without package manager integration

DEB and RPM packages include a .desktop entry. They can also register icons, file associations, URL schemes, package dependencies, and an optional /usr/bin symlink.

For a complete list of setting names, types, defaults, and environment variables, see the Parcel configuration reference.

Dependencies​

Parcel declares the following runtime dependencies in the package metadata. Use the additional dependency settings to add libraries for your application or Linux distribution.

DEB dependencies​

  • libc6
  • libgcc1
  • libgssapi-krb5-2
  • libstdc++6
  • zlib1g
  • One of libssl1.0.0, libssl1.0.2, libssl1.1, or libssl3
  • libicu or a versioned libicu package

RPM dependencies​

  • glibc
  • libgcc
  • krb5-libs
  • libstdc++
  • zlib
  • openssl-libs
  • libicu

Bundle Configuration​

Use the Linux settings to configure desktop integration and branding.

Common Properties​

Application Name:

Display name in application launchers and desktop menus. Parcel adds this name to the .desktop entry.

Package Name:

The package identifier used in package metadata and output filenames. Parcel normalizes this identifier to lowercase for Linux packages.

Install Directory Name:

Name of the application directory under /usr/share. The default is app-{package-name}. Use only lowercase letters, numbers, dashes, underscores, or periods. The name must start and end with a letter or number.

DEB/RPM Specific Properties​

Additional configuration properties for Debian and RPM packages.

Application Icon:

Optional Linux icon that overrides Application Icon. Parcel automatically does the following tasks:

  • Generates hicolor icon theme entries at appropriate resolutions
  • Links the icon in the .desktop file

Supported formats: PNG, SVG

Maintainer:

Package maintainer or company name. Parcel adds this value to the package metadata.

note

If you do not set this value, Parcel uses Company. If Company is empty, Parcel uses Package Name.

Desktop Category:

Category for desktop menus and launchers. This value controls where the application appears in the menu. Parcel uses the freedesktop.org category registry.

Copyright:

Path to a copyright or license file. Parcel includes this file in the DEB and RPM package metadata.

Create /usr/bin/ symlink:

Creates a symlink to the application executable. The symlink lets users start the application from a terminal. This setting is enabled by default.

Additional DEB Dependencies and Additional RPM Dependencies:

Add dependencies that are not in the Parcel defaults. Configure DEB and RPM dependencies separately. For DEB, separate alternative package names with |. For RPM, enter package names or capabilities.

Desktop integration​

Configure file associations and URL schemes under Basics. Parcel adds the related MIME metadata and launch information to DEB and RPM packages. To handle activation in an Avalonia application, see File associations and URL schemes and Activatable lifetime.

Installation & Removal​

DEB Packages (Debian/Ubuntu)​

Install:

sudo apt install ./my-app.deb

Remove:

sudo apt remove my-app

RPM Packages (Fedora/RHEL)​

Install:

sudo dnf install ./my-app.rpm
# or
sudo rpm -i ./my-app.rpm

Remove:

sudo dnf remove my-app
# or
sudo rpm -e my-app

ZIP Archives​

Extract and Run:

unzip my-app.zip
cd my-app
./my-awesome-app

See also​

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