How To Install Fastfetch on Linux Mint 22

Linux Mint 22 offers a user-friendly and customizable environment. For those seeking to monitor system information in a visually appealing and efficient manner, Fastfetch is an excellent tool. It is a system information tool similar to Neofetch, but with enhanced performance, more features, and active development. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to install Fastfetch on Linux Mint 22, covering various installation methods, customization options, and troubleshooting tips.

Why Fastfetch?

Fastfetch has several advantages. Its performance benefits over Neofetch are significant, offering faster execution and reduced resource consumption. The tool is actively maintained, ensuring users have access to the latest features and bug fixes. Furthermore, Fastfetch provides extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the displayed information to their specific needs. Neofetch is no longer actively maintained, making Fastfetch a great alternative.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure your system meets these basic requirements.

• System Requirements: Ensure that your Linux Mint 22 installation meets the minimum system requirements for running Fastfetch. These requirements are generally minimal, but having sufficient RAM and processing power ensures smooth operation.
• Check Linux Mint Version: Verify that you are running Linux Mint 22. You can check your version by opening the terminal and running the command: lsb_release -a.
• Update Package Lists: Updating your package lists is crucial to ensure you have the latest versions of available software. This step avoids potential conflicts during the installation process. Execute the following command: sudo apt update.

Method 1: Installing Fastfetch from PPA

Installing Fastfetch from a Personal Package Archive (PPA) is a straightforward method, ensuring easy updates and seamless integration with your system’s package manager. This approach is recommended for most users due to its simplicity and reliability.

What is a PPA?

A PPA is a software repository for Ubuntu-based systems, including Linux Mint. It allows developers to distribute software directly to users without waiting for official repository updates. This method provides access to the newest software versions and updates quickly.

Adding the Fastfetch PPA

To add the official Fastfetch PPA, open a terminal and enter the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:fastfetch/stable

If the add-apt-repository command is not recognized, you may need to install the software-properties-common package. Run:

sudo apt install software-properties-common

Updating Package Lists Again

After adding the PPA, update your package lists to include the newly added repository. This step ensures that your system recognizes the Fastfetch package.

sudo apt update

Installing Fastfetch

Now that the PPA is added and the package lists are updated, install Fastfetch using the apt package manager. Run the following command:

sudo apt install fastfetch

Verifying the Installation

To confirm that Fastfetch has been installed correctly, simply run the fastfetch command in the terminal:

fastfetch

This command displays your system information using the default Fastfetch configuration. If Fastfetch runs without errors, the installation was successful.

Troubleshooting PPA Installation

• PPA Not Found: If you encounter an error indicating that the PPA was not found, double-check the PPA name for typos. Ensure that the PPA is ppa:fastfetch/stable.
• Broken Packages: If you experience issues with broken packages, try running the following command to fix them: sudo apt --fix-broken install.

Method 2: Installing Fastfetch via GitHub

Installing Fastfetch from source code via GitHub is an alternative method, particularly useful for users who want the latest features or need a specific version. This method involves cloning the Fastfetch repository, compiling the source code, and installing the binary.

Why Install from Source?

Installing from source allows you to access the most recent updates and features that may not yet be available in the PPA or official repositories. It also provides greater control over the installation process and allows you to customize the build options.

Installing Dependencies

Before cloning and compiling Fastfetch, you need to install the necessary build dependencies. These dependencies include tools like git, cmake, and various development libraries. Run the following command to install them:

sudo apt install git cmake build-essential libpci-dev libvulkan-dev libwayland-dev libxrandr-dev libxcb-randr0-dev libdconf-dev

Cloning the Fastfetch Repository

Clone the Fastfetch GitHub repository using the git clone command. This downloads the source code to your local machine.

git clone https://github.com/LinusDierheimer/fastfetch.git
cd fastfetch

Compiling Fastfetch

Compile the source code using cmake. Create a build directory, navigate into it, and then run the cmake command followed by the make command:

mkdir -p build
cd build
cmake ..
cmake --build . --target fastfetch --target flashfetch

Installing Fastfetch

Install the compiled binary using the cmake --install . command. This command requires sudo privileges to copy the binary to the appropriate system directory.

sudo cmake --install .

Verifying the Installation

Verify the installation by running the fastfetch command. If the installation was successful, it displays your system information.

fastfetch

Troubleshooting GitHub Installation

• Missing Dependencies: If you encounter errors related to missing dependencies, ensure that you have installed all the required packages listed in the “Installing Dependencies” section.
• Compilation Errors: If you experience compilation errors, carefully review the error messages. Ensure you have the correct versions of the build tools and libraries.

Using Fastfetch

Once Fastfetch is successfully installed, you can start using it to display system information. Fastfetch offers several options for customization and integration with your shell environment.

Basic Usage

To run Fastfetch with the default settings, simply type fastfetch in the terminal. This command displays a comprehensive list of system information, including the operating system, kernel version, CPU, memory usage, and more.

fastfetch

Using Presets

Fastfetch includes several presets for quick configuration. Presets are pre-defined configurations that allow you to display specific sets of information with a single command. To use a preset, run:

fastfetch --preset small

Some available presets include: small, minimal, and neofetch.

Customizing Fastfetch

Fastfetch’s configuration file is generally located at ~/.config/fastfetch/config.jsonc. If the file does not exist, generate it with the command fastfetch --gen-config. You can customize the information displayed by creating custom modules. This involves editing the configuration file to define shell commands that retrieve and format the desired information. For example:

fastfetch --set-keyless CustomInfo "$(date +"%A, %B %d, %Y")"

Integrating with Shell Configurations

To run Fastfetch automatically each time you open a new terminal, add the fastfetch command to your shell configuration file (e.g., ~/.bashrc for Bash or ~/.zshrc for Zsh). Open the configuration file in a text editor:

nano ~/.bashrc

Add the following line to the end of the file:

fastfetch

Save the file and exit. To apply the changes to your current session, run:

source ~/.bashrc

Advanced Configuration

Fastfetch offers extensive configuration options, allowing you to tailor the displayed information to your preferences. Understanding the configuration file structure and available options enables you to create a highly customized system information display.

Configuration File Location

The primary configuration file for Fastfetch is located at ~/.config/fastfetch/config.jsonc. This file uses JSON format with comments, allowing you to define various modules and settings.

Creating a Custom Configuration

Create a custom configuration file from scratch by copying the default configuration file and modifying it to suit your needs. The basic structure involves defining modules and their respective settings.

Common Configuration Options

• Displaying Specific Information: Customize the modules to display specific information such as CPU usage, memory usage, disk usage, and network information.
• Customizing Output Format and Colors: Modify the output format and colors to match your terminal theme and personal preferences.
• Adding Custom ASCII Art or Images: Incorporate custom ASCII art or images to personalize the Fastfetch display.

Using External Modules

Extend Fastfetch functionality by using external modules. External modules are scripts or programs that provide additional information or customization options.

Example Configurations

Here are a few example configurations for different use cases:

• Minimal Output: A configuration that displays only essential system information in a compact format.
• Detailed Hardware Info: A configuration that provides extensive details about your system’s hardware components.

Troubleshooting Fastfetch

Even with careful installation and configuration, you may encounter issues while using Fastfetch. This section provides solutions to common problems.

Command Not Found

If you receive a “command not found” error when running fastfetch, ensure that Fastfetch is correctly installed and that the installation directory is included in your system’s PATH environment variable.

Configuration Errors

If Fastfetch does not display information correctly or encounters errors during startup, check the configuration file for syntax errors. Use a JSON validator to ensure that the file is properly formatted.

Display Issues

If you experience issues with logo display or formatting, ensure that your terminal supports Unicode and has a compatible font installed. Some terminals may not render ASCII art correctly, leading to display problems.

Seeking Help

For further assistance, consult the Fastfetch GitHub repository or community forums. The Fastfetch community is active and can provide valuable insights and solutions to your issues.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Fastfetch. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Fastfetch on Linux Mint 22 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Fastfetch website.