How To Install Fastfetch on Debian 13

System administrators and Linux enthusiasts seeking a modern replacement for the discontinued Neofetch will find Fastfetch to be the perfect solution. This comprehensive guide demonstrates how to successfully install and configure Fastfetch on Debian 13 (Trixie), providing multiple installation methods and expert troubleshooting techniques.

Fastfetch represents a significant upgrade from traditional system information tools, offering superior performance and extensive customization options. With Neofetch removed from Debian repositories starting with Debian 12, users require reliable alternatives for displaying system information in an aesthetically pleasing format.

What is Fastfetch?

Fastfetch is a high-performance, C-based system information fetching tool designed as a modern successor to Neofetch. This command-line utility excels at rapidly displaying comprehensive system details including operating system information, kernel version, CPU specifications, GPU details, memory usage, and package counts.

The tool’s architecture delivers exceptional speed improvements over Python-based alternatives while maintaining extensive customization capabilities. Fastfetch supports cross-platform compatibility across Linux distributions, macOS, Windows, and Android platforms. Its active development ensures regular updates and feature enhancements, contrasting sharply with abandoned projects like Neofetch.

Key advantages include lightning-fast execution times, comprehensive module support, JSONC configuration format, and extensive ASCII logo collections. The software provides detailed hardware information, network configuration data, and package management statistics through a clean, readable output format.

Prerequisites and System Requirements

Before installing Fastfetch on Debian 13, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

System Compatibility: Debian 13 (Trixie) provides native Fastfetch support through official repositories. The installation process requires a fully updated system with internet connectivity for package downloads.

Administrative Access: Sudo privileges are essential for package installation and system modifications. Users must possess terminal familiarity and basic command-line knowledge for successful implementation.

Hardware Requirements: Fastfetch supports AMD64 and ARM64 architectures, making it compatible with standard desktop systems and ARM-based devices like Raspberry Pi. Minimal system resources are required due to the tool’s efficient C implementation.

Network Connectivity: Active internet connection enables package downloads from official repositories or GitHub releases. Firewall configurations should permit HTTPS connections for secure downloads.

Pre-Installation System Preparation

Proper system preparation ensures smooth Fastfetch installation and prevents common dependency conflicts.

Update Package Lists: Begin by refreshing package repository information to access the latest software versions:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This command synchronizes local package databases with upstream repositories while installing available system updates.

Install Essential Dependencies: Required tools for manual installation include wget, curl, and jq utilities:

sudo apt install wget curl jq -y

These packages facilitate automated version detection and secure file downloads from GitHub repositories.

Verify System Architecture: Determine your system’s processor architecture for correct package selection:

dpkg --print-architecture

Common outputs include amd64 for 64-bit Intel/AMD processors or aarch64 for ARM-based systems.

Create Backup Strategy: Document existing system information tools and configurations before replacement. This precaution enables easy rollback if issues arise during installation.

Installation Method 1: Using APT Package Manager

The APT package manager provides the most straightforward Fastfetch installation method for Debian 13 users.

Direct Installation Command: Execute the following command to install Fastfetch directly from official repositories:

sudo apt install fastfetch

This method automatically handles dependency resolution and integrates seamlessly with system package management.

Verification Process: Confirm successful installation by running:

fastfetch --version

The output displays version information and confirms proper installation completion.

Advantages of APT Method:

• Automatic dependency management
• Integrated system updates
• Official package maintenance
• Simplified installation process
• Built-in security verification

Potential Limitations: Repository versions may lag behind latest GitHub releases. Users requiring cutting-edge features should consider manual installation methods.

Troubleshooting APT Issues: If package installation fails, verify repository configuration and internet connectivity. Update package lists again before retry attempts:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install fastfetch

Installation Method 2: Manual DEB Package Installation

Manual installation provides access to the latest Fastfetch releases directly from GitHub repositories.

Download Latest Release: Use dynamic version detection to obtain current release information:

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

This command automatically retrieves the most recent version number without manual lookup.

Architecture Selection: Set appropriate architecture variable for your system:

For AMD64 systems:

CPU_ARCH=amd64

For ARM64 systems:

CPU_ARCH=aarch64

Download Process: Navigate to temporary directory and download the appropriate package:

cd /tmp
wget https://github.com/fastfetch-cli/fastfetch/releases/download/$FASTFETCH_VERSION/fastfetch-linux-$CPU_ARCH.deb

Installation Execution: Install the downloaded package using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i fastfetch-linux-$CPU_ARCH.deb

Dependency Resolution: If dependency conflicts arise, resolve them automatically:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

This command installs missing dependencies and completes the installation process.

Verification Steps: Test the installation by executing:

fastfetch

Successful installation displays comprehensive system information with default formatting.

Alternative Installation Methods

Advanced users may prefer alternative installation approaches for specific requirements or environments.

Homebrew/Linuxbrew Installation: Users with Linuxbrew installed can utilize:

brew install fastfetch

This method provides consistent package management across multiple platforms.

Source Code Compilation: Building from source enables custom compilation options and latest development features:

sudo apt install build-essential cmake git pkg-config libpci-dev libvulkan-dev
git clone https://github.com/fastfetch-cli/fastfetch.git
cd fastfetch
mkdir build && cd build
cmake ..
make -j$(nproc)
sudo make install

Package Manager Comparison:

• APT: Best for stability and integration
• Manual DEB: Latest features and versions
• Homebrew: Cross-platform consistency
• Source compilation: Maximum customization

Recommendation Guidelines: Choose APT for stable production systems, manual DEB for latest features, and source compilation for development environments.

First-Time Usage and Verification

After successful installation, verify Fastfetch functionality and explore basic usage patterns.

Basic Execution: Launch Fastfetch with default settings:

fastfetch

The output displays system information in organized sections including OS details, hardware specifications, and system resources.

         .-/+oossssoo+/-.               
      `:+ssssssssssssssssss+:`           
    -+ssssssssssssssssssyyssss+-         
  .ossssssssssssssssssdMMMNysssso.       
 /ssssssssssshdmmNNmmyNMMMMhssssss/      
+ssssssssshmydMMMMMMMNddddyssssssss+     
ossssssssdMMMNhsssssssshmmmhssssssso     
osssssssdMMMNhssssssssshmmmhssssssso     
+sssshhhyNMMMNhssssssssshmmmhsssssss+    
 /ssssssssshdmmNNmmyNMMMMhssssss/      
  .ossssssssssssssssssdMMMNysssso.       
    -+ssssssssssssssssssyyssss+-         
      `:+ssssssssssssssssss+:`           
         .-/+oossssoo+/-.               

OS: Debian GNU/Linux 13 (Trixie)
Kernel: 6.1.0-10-amd64
Packages: 1824 (dpkg)
Shell: bash 5.2.15
Resolution: 1920x1080
DE: GNOME 44.1
WM: Mutter
CPU: Intel Core i7-9700K (8) @ 4.900GHz
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 630
Memory: 8253 MiB / 15989 MiB

Output Interpretation: Default display includes:

• Operating system and kernel information
• CPU model and core count
• Memory usage statistics
• GPU details and driver information
• Package count from system repositories
• Network configuration data

Performance Comparison: Notice significant speed improvements compared to Neofetch, with execution times typically under one second.

Initial Troubleshooting: Common first-run issues include missing display modules or terminal compatibility problems. Verify terminal supports color output and Unicode characters for optimal display quality.

Configuration and Customization

Fastfetch’s extensive configuration system enables comprehensive output customization through JSONC files.

Configuration File Location: Create configuration directory and generate default config:

mkdir -p ~/.config/fastfetch
fastfetch --gen-config

This creates ~/.config/fastfetch/config.jsonc with default settings.

JSONC Format Explanation: Configuration files use JSON with Comments syntax, allowing inline documentation and easier maintenance. The format supports standard JSON structures with C-style comments for clarity.

Module Selection: List available display modules:

fastfetch --list-modules

Common modules include OS, kernel, uptime, packages, shell, resolution, DE, WM, WM theme, theme, icons, font, cursor, terminal, terminal font, CPU, GPU, memory, swap, disk, local IP, battery, poweradapter, locale, break, colors.

Structure Customization: Define custom layouts using the structure parameter:

fastfetch --structure "title:os:kernel:shell:cpu:memory:swap:disk:localip:locale"

Preset Configurations: Explore available presets:

fastfetch --list-presets

Load specific presets:

fastfetch -c neofetch.jsonc
fastfetch -c btw.jsonc

Advanced Configuration Options:

Logo customization:

fastfetch --logo debian
fastfetch --logo none

Color scheme modification:

fastfetch --color blue

Performance Tuning: Optimize execution with threading and timeout options in configuration files:

{
    "general": {
        "multithreading": true,
        "timeout": 1000
    }
}

Advanced Usage and Tips

Maximize Fastfetch potential through advanced configuration techniques and integration strategies.

Command-Line Parameters: Comprehensive option overview includes display formatting, module selection, and output customization. Use --help for complete parameter documentation.

Shell Integration: Add Fastfetch to shell startup files for automatic execution:

echo "fastfetch" >> ~/.bashrc

For zsh users:

echo "fastfetch" >> ~/.zshrc

Scripting Applications: Integrate Fastfetch into system monitoring scripts:

#!/bin/bash
echo "System Status Report - $(date)"
fastfetch --structure "os:kernel:cpu:memory:disk"

Remote Usage: Execute Fastfetch over SSH connections for remote system information:

ssh user@remote-host "fastfetch"

Performance Benchmarking: Compare execution times with other system information tools:

time fastfetch > /dev/null
time neofetch > /dev/null

Security Considerations: Fastfetch reads system information without requiring elevated privileges. Configuration files should maintain appropriate permissions to prevent unauthorized modifications.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Address frequent installation and runtime problems with systematic troubleshooting approaches.

Package Not Found Errors: When APT cannot locate Fastfetch packages, verify Debian 13 repository configuration:

cat /etc/debian_version
sudo apt update

Ensure system runs Debian 13 (Trixie) for native package availability.

Dependency Conflicts: Resolve missing dependencies automatically:

sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo apt install -f

Permission Denied Problems: Verify sudo access and file permissions:

sudo -v
ls -la /usr/bin/fastfetch

Architecture Mismatch: Confirm correct package architecture selection. Download appropriate version for your system:

uname -m
dpkg --print-architecture

Common mappings: x86_64 → amd64, aarch64 → aarch64.

Display and Rendering Issues: Terminal compatibility problems may affect output formatting. Test with different terminal emulators or adjust color settings:

fastfetch --color none
export TERM=xterm-256color

Configuration File Errors: Validate JSONC syntax and file permissions:

fastfetch --gen-config
chmod 644 ~/.config/fastfetch/config.jsonc

Network-Related Problems: Proxy configurations or firewall restrictions may prevent downloads. Configure proxy settings or use alternative download methods:

export https_proxy=http://proxy.example.com:8080
wget --proxy=on https://github.com/fastfetch-cli/fastfetch/releases/latest

Maintenance and Updates

Maintain current Fastfetch versions through systematic update procedures and monitoring strategies.

Regular Update Procedures: APT-installed versions update automatically with system packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Manual Update Methods: For manually installed packages, monitor GitHub releases:

CURRENT_VERSION=$(fastfetch --version | head -n1 | awk '{print $2}')
LATEST_VERSION=$(curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/fastfetch-cli/fastfetch/releases/latest | jq -r '.name')
echo "Current: $CURRENT_VERSION, Latest: $LATEST_VERSION"

Automated Update Script: Create script for automatic version checking:

#!/bin/bash
LATEST=$(curl -s https://api.github.com/repos/fastfetch-cli/fastfetch/releases/latest | jq -r '.name')
CURRENT=$(fastfetch --version | head -n1 | awk '{print $2}')
if [ "$LATEST" != "$CURRENT" ]; then
    echo "Update available: $CURRENT → $LATEST"
fi

Configuration Backup: Maintain configuration backups before updates:

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

Uninstallation Process: Remove Fastfetch cleanly when necessary:

sudo apt remove fastfetch
rm -rf ~/.config/fastfetch

Expert Tips and Best Practices

Implement professional-grade Fastfetch configurations with advanced optimization techniques and integration strategies.

Performance Optimization: Minimize startup time by disabling unused modules and enabling multithreading in configuration files:

{
    "modules": [
        "title",
        "separator",
        "os",
        "kernel", 
        "cpu",
        "memory"
    ]
}

Integration Recommendations: Create conditional shell integration that respects SSH sessions:

if [[ -z "$SSH_CLIENT" ]] && [[ -z "$SSH_TTY" ]]; then
    fastfetch
fi

Security Best Practices: Maintain configuration file permissions and avoid storing sensitive information in display modules. Regular security updates ensure continued system protection.

Community Resources: Access official documentation, GitHub discussions, and community forums for advanced configuration examples and troubleshooting assistance. Subscribe to repository notifications for update announcements.

Future-Proofing Strategies: Monitor project development, maintain updated installations, and prepare migration strategies for potential architecture changes or dependency updates.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Fastfetch. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Fastfetch on Debian 13 “Trixie” system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Fastfetch website.