Install Ghostty on Linux: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Ghostty is a modern terminal emulator that has caught the attention of many users. LinuxThanks to its optimized GPU usage and great customization capacityThis terminal not only improves the console's visual performance, but also facilitates the experience for developers and enthusiasts of the Penguin operating system.

In this article, you'll learn how to install Ghostty on different Linux distributions, either using precompiled packages, package managers, or compiling it from source. We'll also cover some of its main features and benefits so you can get the most out of this tool.

What is Ghostty and why use it?

Ghostty is a terminal emulator designed to improve performance on Linux and macOS-based systems. Its main attraction is that uses the GPU to render text, which results in smoother execution, especially when working with large volumes of data.

Some of its most notable features include:

• Multiple shell support: Works perfectly with Bash, Zsh and Fish.
• High customization: Allows you to modify fonts, colors and keyboard shortcuts.
• Integration with the graphical environment: Adapts to the appearance of the operating system.
• Open Source: It has an active community that constantly maintains and improves it.
• Multitasking support: Allows you to open multiple tabs and divide the screen into several sections.

If you want to learn more about using the line of commands, do not hesitate to consult our guide on Print from the terminal in Linux.

How to install Ghostty on Linux

There are several ways to install Ghostty on Linux. The easiest option will depend on the distribution you're using. Below, we explain the most common methods.

Installation using precompiled packages

If you prefer a quick installation without having to compile the code, you can opt for pre-compiled packages such as the files .deb for Debian and Ubuntu or packages AppImage for any distribution.

To install Ghostty on Ubuntu or Debian with a package .deb, follow these steps:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y build-essential git cmake
wget https://github.com/ghostty-terminal/ghostty/releases/latest/download/ghostty.deb
sudo dpkg -i ghostty.deb

For AppImage, simply download the file and grant it execution permissions:

wget https://github.com/ghostty-terminal/ghostty/releases/latest/download/Ghostty-x86_64.AppImage
chmod +x Ghostty-x86_64.AppImage
./Ghostty-x86_64.AppImage

If you are a user of Arch Linux, you can install Ghostty with the following command:

sudo pacman -S ghostty

To Fedora, uses:

sudo dnf install ghostty

On openSUSE, you can install it directly from its repository:

sudo zypper install ghostty

Additionally, you can learn to better manage your system with options such as uninstall programs in linux.

Build from source code

If you prefer to get the latest version or your distribution doesn't offer official packages, you can compile Ghostty manually.

Steps to compile on any distribution:

git clone https://github.com/ghostty-terminal/ghostty.git
cd ghostty
cmake .
make
sudo make install

When performing these actions, it is advisable to have documentation on hand regarding the use of terminals. You can find more information on this in our guide on Native Linux terminal for Android.

Customizing Ghostty

Once installed, you can customize Ghostty to suit your preferences. Some available options include:

• Change the font and colors: Edit the configuration file to modify the appearance.
• Set keyboard shortcuts: Customize shortcuts to improve productivity.
• Screen split: Use shortcuts or settings to work with multiple sessions simultaneously.

In addition, it would be helpful to inform you about tmux, which is an extraordinary tool for terminal management.

Advantages of using Ghostty

Ghostty provides multiple benefits over other traditional terminal emulators:

• Higher performance: Thanks to the use of the GPU, commands run more smoothly.
• Unified experience: Fits into any desktop environment without the need for external tools.
• Advanced terminal management: : Tab support and screen splitting.
• Open Source: Open source with constant updates from the community.

Ghostty is an excellent choice for those looking for a powerful and customizable terminal emulator on Linux. Its support for GPU acceleration and integration with the graphical environment make it an ideal tool for developers and advanced users. With the available installation options, anyone can try it out and enjoy its benefits without any hassle.

Finally, if you are interested in optimizing the performance of your system, do not hesitate to research about AMD 3D V-Cache on Linux.