The KDE community developed Kate, a feature-rich text editor for both casual editing and serious development work. Whether you need to edit configuration files, write code with syntax highlighting across dozens of programming languages, or manage multiple documents in a tabbed interface, Kate provides the flexibility to handle it all. By the end of this guide, you will have installed Kate and be ready to use it, with commands for launching, updating, and removing the editor.
Choose Your Kate Installation Method
Ubuntu offers two main paths for installing Kate. The table below compares each method to help you decide which fits your workflow.
| Method | Channel | Version | Updates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APT | Ubuntu Repos | Distribution default | Automatic via apt upgrade | Most users who prefer stable, distro-tested packages |
| Snap | Snapcraft | Latest stable | Automatic via snapd | Users who want the newest features and KDE updates |
We recommend APT for most users because it integrates seamlessly with your system and requires no additional setup. Choose Snap if you specifically need the latest Kate release with cutting-edge features.
Method 1: Install Kate via APT
APT (Advanced Package Tool) is Ubuntu’s default package management system, providing stable and tested packages from the official repositories. First, refresh your package index to ensure you install the latest available version:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install kateAfter the installation completes, verify the installation by checking the package status:
dpkg -s kate | grep -E '^Package:|^Version:'Package: kate Version: 4:23.08.5-0ubuntu3
The version number varies depending on your Ubuntu release. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS ships version 23.08.x, while Ubuntu 22.04 LTS includes version 21.12.x. Both versions provide the same core functionality.
Method 2: Install Kate via Snap
Snap packages provide the latest Kate releases directly from the KDE team. Ubuntu includes Snap by default, so you can install Kate immediately without additional setup:
sudo snap install kate --classicThe --classic flag grants Kate full system access, which it needs to open and save files anywhere on your system. After the installation completes, verify the version:
snap list kateName Version Rev Tracking Publisher Notes kate 25.08.0 207 latest/stable kde** classic
If you receive a “snap not found” error on a minimal Ubuntu installation, first install the Snap daemon with
sudo apt install snapdbefore proceeding.
Launch Kate Text Editor
With Kate installed, you can launch it from either the terminal or your desktop environment’s application menu.
Launch Kate from Terminal
For APT installations, launch Kate directly by typing:
kateAlternatively, if you installed Kate via Snap, use:
snap run kateLaunch Kate from Applications Menu
Alternatively, click the Activities button (top-left corner) or press the Super key, then type “Kate” in the search bar and click the Kate icon to launch the application.
Manage Kate Text Editor
Update Kate
Keeping Kate updated ensures you have the latest features and security fixes. The update process differs depending on how you installed Kate.
Update Kate via APT
First, refresh your package index to check for available updates:
sudo apt updateIf an update is available, you can upgrade all system packages at once with:
sudo apt upgradeAlternatively, to update only Kate without touching other packages, use:
sudo apt install --only-upgrade kateUpdate Kate via Snap
Snap packages update automatically in the background. However, you can manually trigger an update for all Snap applications with:
sudo snap refreshThis command checks for updates across all installed Snap applications and applies any available updates, including Kate.
Remove Kate
If Kate no longer fits your workflow, you can remove it completely from your system.
Remove Kate via APT
To uninstall Kate and its dependencies that are no longer needed, run:
sudo apt remove kate && sudo apt autoremoveAfter removal, verify that you have removed Kate:
which kateIf the command returns no output, you have successfully removed Kate.
Remove Kate via Snap
For Snap installations, remove Kate with:
sudo snap remove katekate removed
Snap automatically cleans up dependencies, so you do not need additional commands.
Conclusion
You have now installed Kate on Ubuntu, and have commands for launching, updating, and removing the editor as needed. Kate’s syntax highlighting, multi-document interface, and built-in terminal make it well-suited for editing configuration files, writing scripts, and general development work. If you prefer a more traditional IDE-style editor, you might also explore Visual Studio Code on Ubuntu or its open-source alternative VSCodium on Ubuntu. For those interested in the full KDE experience, Kate integrates seamlessly with other KDE applications, so consider installing KDE Plasma on Ubuntu.
