How To Install Fastfetch on Fedora 42

Fastfetch has emerged as the premier system information tool for Linux enthusiasts seeking a modern alternative to the now-abandoned Neofetch. With Fedora 42 being the latest release in the Fedora family, integrating Fastfetch provides users with a lightning-fast, customizable way to display system information right in their terminal. This detailed guide walks you through every aspect of installing, configuring, and optimizing Fastfetch on Fedora 42, ensuring you can harness its full capabilities.

What is Fastfetch?

Fastfetch is a powerful command-line utility written in C that displays comprehensive system information in an aesthetically pleasing format. Unlike its predecessor Neofetch, Fastfetch is actively maintained and offers significant performance improvements thanks to its C-based architecture. The tool provides detailed insights about your hardware and software configuration, presenting this information alongside customizable ASCII art representing your distribution.

Fastfetch gathers and displays various system details including:

• Operating system information and version
• Kernel details
• Hardware specifications (CPU, GPU, memory)
• Package counts
• Shell environment
• Desktop environment and window manager
• Display resolution
• System uptime
• Terminal information
• Local IP address
• And much more

The current version available for Fedora 42 is 2.36.1-1.fc42, offering the latest features and improvements. What makes Fastfetch particularly appealing is its speed, customizability, and active development cycle. It fully supports modern technologies, including Wayland sessions, making it perfectly suited for contemporary Linux environments like Fedora 42.

Prerequisites for Installing Fastfetch on Fedora 42

Before proceeding with the Fastfetch installation, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

• A Fedora 42 system with internet connectivity
• Terminal access and basic command line knowledge
• Administrative (sudo) privileges
• Updated system packages

It’s highly recommended to update your Fedora 42 system before installation to ensure compatibility and prevent potential issues. Open your terminal and execute:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh -y

This command refreshes your repository information and updates all packages on your system. The -y flag automatically confirms the update process, streamlining the procedure.

Method 1: Installing Fastfetch using DNF Package Manager

The simplest and most recommended way to install Fastfetch on Fedora 42 is through the DNF package manager. This method ensures proper integration with your system and simplifies future updates.

Step 1: Update Your System Repositories

First, ensure your system’s package repositories are up-to-date:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh -y

This command refreshes your package database and updates existing packages, creating a solid foundation for the installation.

Step 2: Install Fastfetch

Next, install Fastfetch with the following command:

sudo dnf install fastfetch

DNF will automatically resolve and install all necessary dependencies, making this the most straightforward installation method.

Step 3: Verify the Installation

After installation completes, verify that Fastfetch was installed correctly by checking its version:

fastfetch --version

This command should display the current version of Fastfetch installed on your system, confirming a successful installation.

Method 2: Building Fastfetch from Source

For users who prefer the latest features or need specific customizations, building Fastfetch from source code provides maximum flexibility. This approach requires more steps but ensures you have the most current version with all available features.

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

First, install the necessary build dependencies:

sudo dnf install git cmake gcc gcc-c++ make libpci-dev libx11-dev libwayland-dev libxrandr-dev libxinerama-dev libxcursor-dev libxi-dev libgl1-mesa-dev

These packages provide the essential tools and libraries needed to compile Fastfetch from source.

Step 2: Clone the Fastfetch Repository

Next, clone the official Fastfetch GitHub repository:

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

This command downloads the latest source code to your local machine.

Step 3: Build the Application

Navigate to the downloaded repository and create a build directory:

cd fastfetch
mkdir build
cd build

Generate the build configuration with CMake and compile the application:

cmake ..
make

These commands configure and build Fastfetch according to your system specifications.

Step 4: Install Fastfetch

Finally, install the compiled application:

sudo make install

This command places the Fastfetch binary and its associated files in the appropriate system directories, making it available system-wide.

Using Fastfetch: Basic Commands

Once installed, running Fastfetch is straightforward. The most basic usage is simply entering the command:

fastfetch

This displays your system information with the default configuration and your distribution’s ASCII logo.

Exploring Command Options

Fastfetch offers numerous command-line options to customize its output. Here are some essential commands:

• List all available modules: fastfetch --list-modules
• List all available logos: fastfetch --list-logos
• List preset configurations: fastfetch --list-presets
• Display help information: fastfetch --help
• Show specific modules only: fastfetch -s OS:Kernel:CPU:GPU:Memory
• Use a preset configuration: fastfetch -c neofetch.jsonc

These commands provide flexibility in how you view and interact with system information.

Using Presets

Fastfetch comes with several preset configurations that mimic other system information tools or focus on specific aspects of your system:

fastfetch -c neofetch.jsonc

This command displays Fastfetch using a configuration that resembles Neofetch’s output.

For hardware-focused information:

fastfetch -c hardware.jsonc

These presets offer quick ways to alter the display without creating custom configurations.

Configuring Fastfetch

Fastfetch’s true power lies in its extensive customization options. You can tailor almost every aspect of its display through configuration files.

Generating a Configuration File

To create a basic configuration file:

fastfetch --gen-config

This command generates a default configuration file at ~/.config/fastfetch/config.jsonc.

Understanding the Configuration Format

Fastfetch uses a JSON with comments (JSONC) format for its configuration. This makes it both human-readable and machine-parsable. The configuration file controls which modules are displayed, their order, formatting options, and visual elements like colors and logos.

A basic configuration structure looks like this:

{
  "modules": [
    "title",
    "os",
    "kernel",
    "uptime",
    "packages",
    "shell",
    "display",
    "cpu",
    "gpu",
    "memory"
  ],
  "logo": {
    "type": "auto",
    "color": "auto"
  }
}

Customizing Displayed Modules

You can selectively display specific system information by modifying the modules array in your configuration file. Each module represents a piece of system information, like CPU, memory, or operating system details.

For dynamically setting modules without editing the configuration file, use the -s option followed by colon-separated module names:

fastfetch -s OS:Kernel:Packages:Terminal:Memory:Locale

This command displays only the specified modules in the given order.

Advanced Features and Customization

Fastfetch offers advanced customization options beyond basic configuration, allowing for a truly personalized system information display.

Using Different Logos

One of Fastfetch’s appealing features is its support for various logo types. To list all available logos:

fastfetch --list-logos

To use a specific logo:

fastfetch -l Fedora

You can also use logos from other distributions or custom images:

fastfetch -l Ubuntu

For users who prefer image-based logos, Fastfetch supports various display protocols including sixel, kitty, and iterm.

Creating Custom Presets

You can create your own preset configurations by saving custom configuration files. For example, create a file named minimal.jsonc in the ~/.config/fastfetch directory with your preferred settings, then use it with:

fastfetch -c minimal.jsonc

This allows you to maintain multiple configurations for different purposes or displays.

Terminal Integration

For automatic execution when opening a terminal, add the Fastfetch command to your shell’s configuration file. For example, with Bash:

echo "fastfetch" >> ~/.bashrc

With ZSH:

echo "fastfetch" >> ~/.zshrc

This ensures Fastfetch runs each time you open a new terminal session, displaying your system information immediately.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful installation and configuration, you might encounter issues with Fastfetch. Here are solutions to common problems:

Dependency Errors

If Fastfetch fails to start due to missing dependencies, reinstall the package with:

sudo dnf reinstall fastfetch

For source installations, ensure all build dependencies are properly installed before compilation.

Display Problems

Some users may experience display issues, particularly in TTY environments. If Fastfetch causes screen blackouts or display corruption:

1. Try running with minimal modules: fastfetch -s OS:Kernel:CPU
2. Disable the display module if it’s causing problems: fastfetch --display-off
3. Check terminal compatibility with ASCII art and colors

Configuration File Errors

Syntax errors in your configuration file can prevent Fastfetch from starting correctly. If you suspect configuration issues:

1. Validate your JSON configuration with an online JSON validator
2. Reset to default configuration: rm ~/.config/fastfetch/config.jsonc && fastfetch --gen-config
3. Check for proper formatting, especially with commas and brackets

Keeping Fastfetch Updated

Maintaining an updated Fastfetch installation ensures access to the latest features and bug fixes.

Updating via DNF

For DNF installations, update Fastfetch alongside your regular system updates:

sudo dnf update fastfetch

This command fetches and installs the latest version available in the Fedora repositories.

Updating Source Installations

For source installations, update by pulling the latest code and rebuilding:

cd fastfetch
git pull
cd build
cmake ..
make
sudo make install

This sequence updates your installation to the latest available version from the GitHub repository.

Comparing Fastfetch with Alternatives

Understanding how Fastfetch compares to alternatives helps you choose the right tool for your needs.

Fastfetch vs. Neofetch

Fastfetch outperforms Neofetch in several key areas:

• Significantly faster execution due to its C implementation
• Active maintenance and development
• Better support for modern technologies like Wayland
• More customization options
• Lower resource usage

However, Neofetch has wider distribution support and more familiarity among users.

Fastfetch vs. Other System Information Tools

Compared to other system information tools like Screenfetch or Pfetch, Fastfetch offers:

• More comprehensive system information
• Better performance optimization
• Higher degree of customization
• Modern codebase with active development
• Multi-threading capabilities for faster execution

These advantages make Fastfetch the preferred choice for many Linux enthusiasts seeking both information and aesthetics.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Fastfetch. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Fastfetch on Fedora 42 Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Fastfetch website.