How To Install Fastfetch on AlmaLinux 10

Fastfetch represents a modern evolution in system information display tools, offering superior performance and customization capabilities compared to traditional alternatives. For AlmaLinux 10 users seeking an efficient way to showcase system specifications and hardware details, Fastfetch provides an elegant solution that combines speed with visual appeal.

This comprehensive guide walks you through multiple installation methods for Fastfetch on AlmaLinux 10, ensuring you can choose the approach that best suits your technical requirements and preferences. Whether you’re a system administrator managing enterprise environments or an enthusiast exploring Linux distributions, mastering Fastfetch installation will enhance your system monitoring capabilities.

What is Fastfetch?

Fastfetch stands as a cutting-edge command-line system information tool designed to replace slower, script-based alternatives like Neofetch. Written in C programming language, Fastfetch delivers exceptional performance while maintaining extensive customization options that appeal to both casual users and power users alike.

The tool excels at displaying comprehensive system information including CPU specifications, GPU details, memory usage, storage configuration, network interfaces, and operating system details. Unlike bash-based alternatives, Fastfetch’s compiled nature ensures rapid execution and minimal system resource consumption, making it ideal for integration into shell profiles and automated scripts.

Key advantages of Fastfetch include cross-platform compatibility spanning Linux, Windows, macOS, and FreeBSD systems. The tool supports numerous ASCII logo options, customizable color schemes, and modular information display configurations. Advanced users appreciate Fastfetch’s JSON-based configuration system, which allows granular control over displayed information modules and visual presentation elements.

Performance benchmarks consistently demonstrate Fastfetch’s superiority over traditional alternatives, with execution times typically measured in milliseconds rather than seconds. This efficiency makes Fastfetch particularly valuable for system administrators who frequently access system information across multiple servers or workstations.

Prerequisites and System Requirements

Before proceeding with Fastfetch installation on AlmaLinux 10, ensure your system meets essential requirements and prerequisites. A functional AlmaLinux 10 installation with active internet connectivity forms the foundation for successful installation.

Administrative privileges through sudo access are mandatory for package installation and system configuration modifications. Verify your user account possesses appropriate permissions by testing sudo functionality with basic commands.

Network connectivity requirements include stable internet access for downloading packages, dependencies, and source code repositories. Firewall configurations should permit outbound HTTPS connections to package repositories and GitHub servers.

Essential system packages may require updates before installation proceeds smoothly. Execute the following command to refresh your AlmaLinux 10 system:

sudo dnf update -y

This command ensures your package management system maintains current repository information and installed packages reflect latest security updates and bug fixes.

Method 1: Installing via DNF Package Manager

The most straightforward approach for installing Fastfetch on AlmaLinux 10 involves utilizing the DNF package manager, which provides automated dependency resolution and streamlined installation processes.

Updating System Repositories

Begin by refreshing your system’s package repository information to ensure access to the most current software versions:

sudo dnf update

This command synchronizes local package databases with remote repositories, enabling DNF to locate and install the latest Fastfetch version available through official channels.

Installing EPEL Repository

AlmaLinux 10 may require the Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository to access Fastfetch packages. Install EPEL using the following command:

sudo dnf install epel-release -y

After EPEL installation, refresh repository information to incorporate newly available packages:

sudo dnf update

Installing Fastfetch

With repositories properly configured, install Fastfetch using DNF’s standard installation syntax:

sudo dnf install fastfetch -y

DNF automatically resolves dependencies and installs required supporting packages. The -y flag bypasses confirmation prompts, streamlining the installation process for automated deployments.

Verification and Testing

Confirm successful installation by checking the installed Fastfetch version:

fastfetch --version

Test basic functionality by executing Fastfetch with default settings:

fastfetch

This command displays comprehensive system information alongside AlmaLinux’s distinctive ASCII logo, confirming proper installation and functionality.

Method 2: Installing from RPM Packages

Manual RPM package installation provides access to the latest Fastfetch releases before they appear in standard repositories, offering bleeding-edge features and improvements.

Downloading Latest RPM Packages

Navigate to the Fastfetch GitHub releases page to identify the most recent version compatible with AlmaLinux 10. Use curl and jq tools to automate version detection:

sudo dnf install curl wget jq -y

Retrieve the latest version information programmatically:

FASTFETCH_VERSION=$(curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/fastfetch-cli/fastfetch/releases/latest | jq -r '.tag_name')

Architecture-Specific Downloads

Determine your system architecture to download the appropriate RPM package:

uname -m

For x86_64 systems, download the corresponding RPM package:

wget https://github.com/fastfetch-cli/fastfetch/releases/download/$FASTFETCH_VERSION/fastfetch-linux-amd64.rpm

For ARM64 systems, use the alternative architecture specification:

wget https://github.com/fastfetch-cli/fastfetch/releases/download/$FASTFETCH_VERSION/fastfetch-linux-aarch64.rpm

Installing Downloaded Packages

Install the downloaded RPM package using DNF’s local package installation capability:

sudo dnf install ./fastfetch-linux-*.rpm -y

DNF automatically handles dependency resolution and installs required supporting libraries from configured repositories.

Verification Steps

Validate the installation by confirming version information and testing basic functionality:

fastfetch --version
fastfetch

Method 3: Installing from Source

Source compilation provides maximum flexibility and access to developmental features not yet available in packaged releases. This method requires additional setup but offers comprehensive customization options.

Installing Build Dependencies

Source compilation requires development tools and libraries for successful building:

sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools" -y
sudo dnf install cmake ninja-build pkgconfig -y

Additional dependencies may include graphics libraries and system development headers:

sudo dnf install wayland-devel libxcb-devel vulkan-headers -y

Cloning and Building

Clone the Fastfetch repository from GitHub:

git clone https://github.com/fastfetch-cli/fastfetch.git
cd fastfetch

Create a build directory and configure the compilation process:

mkdir build
cd build
cmake .. -GNinja -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo

Compile the source code using ninja for optimized build performance:

ninja

Installation to System Directories

Install the compiled binary to system-wide locations:

sudo ninja install

This command installs Fastfetch to /usr/local/bin/ and associated files to appropriate system directories.

Updating PATH and Verification

Ensure the installation directory appears in your system PATH:

echo 'export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Verify successful installation:

fastfetch --version

Method 4: Installing via Snap Package

Snap packages provide universal Linux application distribution with automatic updates and sandboxed execution environments.

Installing Snapd

AlmaLinux 10 may require manual snapd installation:

sudo dnf install snapd -y
sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket

Create symbolic links for snap binary access:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

Installing Fastfetch Snap

Install Fastfetch through the snap package manager:

sudo snap install fastfetch

Snap automatically handles dependencies and provides isolated execution environments for enhanced security.

Post-Installation Configuration

Fastfetch offers extensive customization capabilities through JSON-based configuration files that control information display modules and visual presentation elements.

Generating Configuration Files

Create an initial configuration file using Fastfetch’s built-in generator:

fastfetch --gen-config

This command creates a comprehensive configuration template in ~/.config/fastfetch/config.jsonc, containing all available modules and customization options.

Configuration File Structure

The configuration file utilizes JSON with comments format, allowing detailed customization of display elements:

{
    "$schema": "https://github.com/fastfetch-cli/fastfetch/raw/dev/doc/json_schema.json",
    "logo": {
        "source": "auto"
    },
    "display": {
        "separator": " → "
    },
    "modules": [
        "title",
        "separator",
        "os",
        "host",
        "kernel",
        "uptime",
        "packages",
        "shell"
    ]
}

Customization Options

Modify displayed information by adjusting module arrays and individual module configurations. Popular customizations include:

• Logo selection and positioning
• Color scheme modifications
• Module visibility and ordering
• Output formatting and separators
• Performance optimization settings

Basic Usage and Commands

Fastfetch provides numerous command-line options for customizing output and accessing specific functionality.

Standard Execution

Run Fastfetch with default settings:

fastfetch

Common Command Options

Display version information:

fastfetch --version

Show help menu with available options:

fastfetch --help

Use specific configuration files:

fastfetch --config /path/to/config.jsonc

Generate configuration templates:

fastfetch --gen-config-force

Output Customization

Control logo display:

fastfetch --logo none
fastfetch --logo /path/to/custom/logo.txt

Modify color schemes:

fastfetch --color blue

Advanced Configuration Examples

Advanced users can leverage Fastfetch’s extensive customization capabilities for specialized use cases and aesthetic preferences.

Custom Module Configurations

Configure individual modules with specific parameters:

{
    "modules": [
        {
            "type": "cpu",
            "key": "Processor",
            "format": "{1} ({2}) @ {7} GHz"
        },
        {
            "type": "memory",
            "key": "Memory",
            "format": "{1} / {2} ({3})"
        }
    ]
}

Performance Optimization

Optimize Fastfetch for minimal execution time:

{
    "display": {
        "pipe": false,
        "stat": false
    },
    "modules": [
        "os",
        "kernel", 
        "uptime",
        "memory"
    ]
}

Multiple Configuration Profiles

Create specialized configurations for different use cases by maintaining separate configuration files and using the --config parameter to switch between profiles.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Installation and configuration issues may occasionally arise, requiring systematic troubleshooting approaches.

Package Not Found Errors

If DNF cannot locate Fastfetch packages, verify EPEL repository installation and configuration:

sudo dnf repolist | grep epel

Reinstall EPEL if necessary:

sudo dnf remove epel-release
sudo dnf install epel-release -y
sudo dnf update

Dependency Resolution Problems

Address dependency conflicts by cleaning DNF cache and rebuilding repository metadata:

sudo dnf clean all
sudo dnf makecache

Permission Issues

Ensure proper sudo privileges and file system permissions for configuration directories:

mkdir -p ~/.config/fastfetch
chmod 755 ~/.config/fastfetch

Configuration Errors

Validate JSON configuration syntax using online validators or command-line tools. Common issues include missing commas, unclosed brackets, and invalid escape sequences.

Comparison with Other System Info Tools

Fastfetch distinguishes itself from alternatives through superior performance, modern codebase, and extensive customization capabilities.

Performance Advantages

Benchmark testing demonstrates Fastfetch’s execution speed advantage over bash-based alternatives, with typical execution times under 50 milliseconds compared to several seconds for script-based tools.

Feature Comparison

Fastfetch supports more system information modules, including GPU detection, Wayland compatibility, and container environment recognition. The JSON configuration system provides more granular control than simple text-based configuration files.

Resource Usage

Compiled C implementation ensures minimal memory footprint and CPU usage, making Fastfetch suitable for resource-constrained environments and frequent execution scenarios.

Best Practices and Tips

Optimize your Fastfetch experience through proven configuration strategies and maintenance procedures.

Regular Updates

Maintain current Fastfetch versions through your chosen installation method:

sudo dnf update fastfetch

For manual installations, monitor GitHub releases and update accordingly.

Configuration Management

Backup configuration files before modifications:

cp ~/.config/fastfetch/config.jsonc ~/.config/fastfetch/config.jsonc.backup

Shell Integration

Add Fastfetch to shell profiles for automatic execution:

echo "fastfetch" >> ~/.bashrc

Performance Monitoring

Monitor Fastfetch execution time using time command:

time fastfetch

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Fastfetch. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Fastfetch on AlmaLinux OS 10 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Fastfetch website.