How To Install Vivaldi Browser on openSUSE

Vivaldi browser offers a refreshing alternative for openSUSE users seeking a highly customizable browsing experience. While Firefox and Chromium come pre-installed on most Linux distributions, Vivaldi delivers unique features designed for power users who value flexibility and efficiency. Unfortunately, Vivaldi isn’t available in openSUSE’s official repositories, but installing it remains a straightforward process with multiple reliable methods to choose from. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about installing and configuring Vivaldi browser on your openSUSE system, whether you’re using Tumbleweed or Leap.

Understanding Vivaldi Browser

Vivaldi browser was created by Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner, co-founder and former CEO of Opera Software. Launched in 2016, Vivaldi was developed as a response to Opera’s switch from its proprietary Presto engine to Chromium’s Blink engine, which eliminated many popular features that power users appreciated.

Key Features and Advantages

What separates Vivaldi from other browsers is its remarkable level of customization and productivity-focused tools:

• Tab management features including tab stacking, tab tiling, and two-level tab stacking
• Built-in note-taking functionality directly in the browser
• Customizable keyboard shortcuts and mouse gestures
• Highly adaptable user interface with adjustable colors, themes, and layouts
• Robust privacy controls including built-in tracker and ad blocking
• Web panels for keeping frequently used websites accessible in a side panel
• Speed dial with folders and thumbnail previews

Vivaldi is particularly well-suited for openSUSE users because it combines the stability of the Chromium engine with additional features that enhance productivity without sacrificing system resources. The browser is optimized for both casual users and power users who require advanced browsing capabilities.

System Requirements

For optimal performance on openSUSE, your system should meet these requirements:

• openSUSE Leap 15.x or Tumbleweed
• 1 GHz processor or faster (multi-core recommended)
• 512 MB RAM minimum (2 GB or more recommended)
• 200 MB of available disk space
• A graphics card capable of hardware acceleration

Vivaldi runs efficiently on most modern computers and even performs reasonably well on older hardware compared to resource-intensive browsers like Chrome.

Preparing Your System for Vivaldi Installation

Before installing Vivaldi browser, it’s important to prepare your openSUSE system to ensure a smooth installation process. Taking these preliminary steps will help avoid potential issues later.

System Updates

First, ensure your openSUSE system is fully updated. Open a terminal and run:

sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper update

This refreshes your repository information and applies any pending updates to your system. Keeping your system updated ensures compatibility with new software installations and improves security.

Terminal Access

Throughout this guide, we’ll use the terminal extensively. On openSUSE, you can access the terminal by:

• Pressing Alt+F2 and typing “konsole” or “terminal”
• Using the Applications menu and selecting “Terminal” or “Konsole” under System Tools
• Using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T on most desktop environments

Required Dependencies

Most dependencies will be automatically resolved during installation, but it’s helpful to ensure you have these basic packages:

sudo zypper install libXScrnSaver wget curl

These packages are commonly required by Chromium-based browsers like Vivaldi.

Backup Considerations

If you’re replacing your default browser, consider backing up your browser data:

• Bookmarks and saved passwords
• Browser extensions and configurations
• Custom browser settings

This step isn’t mandatory for installing Vivaldi but is recommended as a general precaution before any software installation.

Method 1: Adding the Official Vivaldi Repository

The most reliable way to install Vivaldi on openSUSE is by adding the official Vivaldi repository. This method ensures you’ll receive automatic updates whenever a new version is released.

Understanding Linux Repositories

Repositories in Linux are servers that contain collections of software packages. When you add a repository to your system, you’re telling the package manager where to look for software and its updates. Using official repositories provides security and reliability for software installations.

Creating the Repository File

First, you’ll need to create a repository file for Vivaldi. Open a terminal and run:

sudo touch /etc/zypp/repos.d/vivaldi-suse.repo

This command creates an empty file that will contain repository information. Next, you need to add the repository information to this file. You can use any text editor, such as nano:

sudo nano /etc/zypp/repos.d/vivaldi-suse.repo

Then, copy and paste the following text into the editor:

[vivaldi]
name=vivaldi
enabled=1
autorefresh=1
baseurl=https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/rpm/$basearch
type=rpm-md
keeppackages=0
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/linux_signing_key.pub

Save the file (in nano, press Ctrl+O, then Enter, followed by Ctrl+X to exit).

Importing GPG Keys

To verify the authenticity of packages from the Vivaldi repository, you need to import their GPG key. This adds a security layer by ensuring packages are signed and verified:

sudo zypper --gpg-auto-import-keys refresh

This command refreshes your repository cache and automatically imports the GPG key from the Vivaldi repository.

Installation Commands

Now you can install Vivaldi with a simple command:

sudo zypper install vivaldi-stable

The zypper package manager will calculate dependencies, download the necessary packages, and install Vivaldi on your system.

Verification

After installation, verify that Vivaldi installed correctly by checking its version:

vivaldi --version

This should display the installed version of Vivaldi, confirming a successful installation.

Method 2: Using the RPM Package Directly

If you prefer not to add a repository, you can install Vivaldi directly from the RPM package. This method is simpler but requires manual updates when new versions are released.

Downloading the RPM

Visit the official Vivaldi download page at https://vivaldi.com/download/ and select the RPM package compatible with openSUSE. You can also download it directly using the terminal:

wget https://downloads.vivaldi.com/stable/vivaldi-stable-latest.x86_64.rpm

This downloads the latest stable version of Vivaldi as an RPM package to your current directory.

Installation via Terminal

There are two ways to install the downloaded RPM package:

Using the rpm command:

sudo rpm -ihv vivaldi-stable-*.rpm

Using the zypper installation method (recommended):

sudo zypper install ./vivaldi-stable-*.rpm

The zypper method is preferred because it automatically resolves dependencies, whereas the rpm command might require manual intervention if dependencies are missing.

Advantages of Direct Installation

Installing directly from the RPM package has several advantages:

• No need to add an external repository to your system
• You control when updates occur
• Simpler one-time installation process for users who don’t need frequent updates

However, the drawback is that you won’t receive automatic updates through your system’s package manager.

Handling Dependencies

When installing via the RPM package, zypper will automatically calculate and install required dependencies. If you encounter dependency issues, run:

sudo zypper install -f ./vivaldi-stable-*.rpm

The -f flag forces zypper to fix dependency issues by either installing missing packages or suggesting alternatives.

Method 3: Using Flatpak Installation

Flatpak provides an alternative installation method that offers benefits such as sandboxing and consistent runtime environments across different Linux distributions.

Introduction to Flatpak

Flatpak is a technology that allows applications to run in isolated environments with their own runtime dependencies. This isolation provides enhanced security and ensures applications run consistently regardless of the host system’s configuration.

Setting Up Flatpak

First, you need to install Flatpak on openSUSE if it isn’t already installed:

sudo zypper install flatpak

Then, add the Flathub repository, which hosts numerous application packages:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This adds the Flathub repository to your system if it doesn’t already exist.

Installing Vivaldi via Flatpak

After setting up Flatpak, you can install Vivaldi with a single command:

flatpak install flathub com.vivaldi.Vivaldi

During installation, Flatpak will download all necessary runtime components and the Vivaldi package itself. Once installed, you can launch Vivaldi from your application menu or using the command:

flatpak run com.vivaldi.Vivaldi

Pros and Cons

Flatpak installation offers several advantages:

• Application isolation improves security
• Consistent runtime environment
• Ability to run newer versions of applications on older distributions
• Simplified updates through Flatpak

However, there are some drawbacks:

• Larger initial download size due to runtime components
• Slightly different file system integration compared to native packages
• May have minor performance differences

When to Choose Flatpak

Flatpak is an excellent choice when:

• You need strict application isolation
• You’re running an older version of openSUSE but want the latest Vivaldi
• You’re concerned about potential conflicts with system libraries
• You want to test Vivaldi without modifying your system’s package database

Post-Installation Configuration

After successfully installing Vivaldi on your openSUSE system, it’s time to configure it to match your preferences and optimize your browsing experience.

First Launch Setup

When you first launch Vivaldi, you’ll be greeted with a setup wizard that guides you through initial configuration:

1. Choose a user interface theme (light, dark, or system default)
2. Select your preferred tab bar position (top, bottom, left, or right)
3. Choose a start page configuration (speed dial, homepage, or continue from last session)
4. Configure search engine preferences
5. Set privacy and data collection preferences

Take your time with these initial settings as they define your basic browsing experience, though all can be changed later through the Settings panel.

Importing Browser Data

If you’re switching from another browser, you can import your existing data:

1. Go to Vivaldi menu > Tools > Import data
2. Select your previous browser from the dropdown list
3. Choose what data to import (bookmarks, passwords, history, etc.)
4. Click “Import” to begin the transfer process

This ensures a smooth transition without losing your valuable browsing data and personalized settings.

Setting as Default Browser

To make Vivaldi your default browser on openSUSE:

1. Open Vivaldi Settings (Vivaldi menu > Settings)
2. Navigate to the “Default Browser” section
3. Click “Set as Default” button
4. Alternatively, use your desktop environment’s “Default Applications” settings

On KDE Plasma, you can also set the default browser through System Settings > Applications > Default Applications > Web Browser.

Essential Settings

Configure these important settings for optimal performance on openSUSE:

• Hardware Acceleration: Enable or disable under Settings > Webpages > Use Hardware Acceleration When Available
• Privacy Settings: Configure tracker blocking, cookie handling, and Do Not Track under Settings > Privacy
• Tab Settings: Customize tab behavior, including tab stacking, tab cycling, and tab tiling
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Personalize shortcuts under Settings > Keyboard
• Speed Dial: Configure your start page with frequently visited websites for quick access

Automatic Updates Configuration

Keeping your browser updated is crucial for security and performance. Here’s how to manage updates for Vivaldi on openSUSE.

Repository-Based Updates

If you installed Vivaldi using Method 1 (adding the official repository), updates will be handled automatically through your system’s package manager. When Vivaldi releases a new version, it will appear alongside other system updates.

System Update Integration

To check for and install updates, use the standard openSUSE update mechanism:

sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper update

This will update all packages on your system, including Vivaldi when updates are available.

Update Commands

To update only Vivaldi without updating other packages:

sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper update vivaldi-stable

This command specifically targets the Vivaldi package for updates while leaving other system packages unchanged.

Update Frequency

Vivaldi typically releases updates every 4-6 weeks for major versions, with smaller maintenance updates released as needed. The stable channel receives thoroughly tested updates, while snapshot builds (if you choose to use them) provide early access to new features but may contain bugs.

Verifying Updates

To check your current Vivaldi version and verify if an update was successfully applied:

vivaldi --version

You can compare this version number with the latest release information on the official Vivaldi website.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful installation, you might encounter some issues with Vivaldi on openSUSE. Here are solutions to common problems.

Repository Connection Problems

If you encounter errors connecting to the Vivaldi repository:

1. Check your internet connection
2. Verify repository information in /etc/zypp/repos.d/vivaldi-suse.repo
3. Try using a different mirror by editing the baseurl line
4. Run sudo zypper refresh to update repository information

If problems persist, temporarily disable the repository and try the direct RPM installation method.

Installation Failures

Common installation errors and their solutions:

• Dependency conflicts: Run sudo zypper install --force vivaldi-stable to force installation and resolve conflicts
• Package verification failures: Check if GPG keys are properly imported with sudo rpm --import https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/linux_signing_key.pub
• Insufficient disk space: Free up space on your system partition or use the --replacefiles option with zypper if appropriate

Performance Optimization

If Vivaldi runs slowly on your openSUSE system:

1. Disable hardware acceleration if you experience graphical glitches
2. Reduce the number of extensions running
3. Clear browser cache and cookies regularly
4. Update your graphics drivers
5. Consider disabling unnecessary features in Vivaldi’s settings

Graphics and Media Issues

For video playback problems or graphical glitches:

1. Install additional media codecs: sudo zypper install libffmpeg-5
2. Enable or disable hardware acceleration depending on your graphics hardware
3. Update your graphics drivers through YaST or zypper
4. Try launching Vivaldi with different GPU options: vivaldi --disable-gpu or vivaldi --enable-features=VaapiVideoDecoder

System Integration Concerns

If Vivaldi doesn’t integrate properly with your openSUSE desktop:

1. Check file associations in your desktop environment settings
2. Ensure xdg-utils is installed: sudo zypper install xdg-utils
3. Reset file associations using your desktop environment’s settings panel
4. For KDE users, configure application behavior in System Settings > Applications

Advanced Tips for openSUSE Users

Take your Vivaldi experience on openSUSE to the next level with these advanced tips and techniques.

YaST Integration

YaST, openSUSE’s system administration tool, can help manage Vivaldi:

1. Use YaST Software Management to search for and install Vivaldi-related packages
2. Configure repository priorities through YaST to control update behavior
3. Use YaST’s application firewall to manage Vivaldi’s network connections
4. Monitor Vivaldi’s resource usage through YaST’s system services module

Command-Line Shortcuts

Power users can leverage these helpful terminal commands:

# Launch Vivaldi in private browsing mode
vivaldi --incognito

# Launch Vivaldi with a specific profile
vivaldi --profile-directory="Profile 1"

# Reset Vivaldi to default settings
rm -rf ~/.config/vivaldi

# Launch with debugging enabled
vivaldi --debug-packed-apps

These commands provide quick access to advanced functionality without navigating through menus.

Multiple Profiles

Create separate browser profiles for different purposes:

1. Launch Vivaldi with vivaldi --profile-directory="Work" to create a Work profile
2. Use different profiles for personal browsing, work, development, etc.
3. Each profile maintains its own settings, extensions, and bookmarks
4. Create desktop shortcuts for each profile for quick access

This separation helps organize your browsing activities and enhances privacy between different usage contexts.

Hardware Acceleration

Fine-tune hardware acceleration for your specific hardware:

1. For Intel graphics: vivaldi --enable-features=VaapiVideoDecoder
2. For NVIDIA graphics: Ensure proprietary drivers are installed using YaST
3. For AMD graphics: Consider using the latest Mesa drivers from openSUSE repositories
4. Monitor performance with different acceleration settings to find the optimal configuration

Proper hardware acceleration can significantly improve video playback and overall browser performance on openSUSE.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Vivaldi. Thanks for using this tutorial to install the latest version of the Vivaldi Browser on the openSUSE Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Vivaldi website.