How to Install Slack on Debian 12 and 11 Linux

Slack is a premier collaboration platform designed to empower teams with a unified workspace for communication, file sharing, and collaboration. Whether you’re managing projects, engaging in discussions, or integrating workflows, Slack’s robust features ensure seamless productivity across various devices and platforms.

This guide provides a detailed walkthrough for installing Slack on Debian 12 “Bookworm” and Debian 11 “Bullseye”. With this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll quickly set up Slack using either the .deb package or Flatpak, enabling efficient team collaboration on your Debian system.

Installing Slack on Debian

Slack can be installed on Debian 12 or 11 using two methods: the .deb package or Flatpak. Below are the detailed steps for each approach.

Option 1: Install Slack via .deb Package

To install Slack using the .deb package, start by ensuring your system is up to date. Open a terminal and run the command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Next, download the Slack .deb package. Visit the official Slack downloads page and locate the latest Debian package link. Copy the link and use the wget command to download it.

Replace the example URL in the command below with the current version link from the Slack website:

wget https://downloads.slack-edge.com/releases/linux/x.x.x/prod/x64/slack-desktop-x.x.x-amd64.deb

Once the download is complete, install the package with the apt command. The following example assumes the filename remains consistent with the downloaded file. Use the wildcard * to simplify version changes:

sudo apt install ./slack-desktop-*.*.*-amd64.deb

This command will handle the installation along with any required dependencies automatically. After completing these steps, Slack will be ready to use on your Debian system.

Option 2: Install Slack via Flatpak and Flathub

If you prefer a sandboxed installation method, Flatpak provides an excellent alternative. Start by ensuring Flatpak is installed on your system. If it is not installed, refer to our Flatpak setup guide for Debian.

Once Flatpak is installed, add the Flathub repository to access Slack. Use the following command to add the repository:

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

After adding Flathub, install Slack by running the following command:

flatpak install flathub com.slack.Slack -y

The Flatpak installation ensures Slack runs in a sandboxed environment, providing additional isolation and security.

Launching Slack on Debian

After installing Slack, you can launch the application using either the command line or the graphical interface, depending on your preference.

To launch Slack from the terminal, type the following command if you installed it using the .deb package:

slack

If you installed Slack using Flatpak, use this command instead:

flatpak run com.slack.Slack

For those who prefer using the graphical interface, open the application menu in your desktop environment. Search for “Slack” in the menu’s search bar or locate the Slack icon in the list of installed applications. Click the icon to launch the application.

Once Slack starts, you can log in to your workspace or create a new one if you don’t have an account yet.

Updating Slack on Debian

Keeping Slack up to date ensures you have access to the latest features and security patches. The update method depends on how you installed Slack.

If you installed Slack using the .deb package, you’ll need to manually download and install the latest version. Visit the Slack downloads page again, then copy the latest .deb package URL, and use wget to download it. After downloading, install the updated package with the apt command:

sudo apt install ./slack-desktop-*.*.*-amd64.deb

Replace the wildcard (*) with the actual version number if necessary. The command will handle the update process and ensure all dependencies are satisfied.

For Flatpak installations, updating is straightforward. Open a terminal and run the following command to update all Flatpak applications, including Slack:

flatpak update

This command will fetch and apply the latest updates for Slack and any other Flatpak-managed applications.

Regularly updating Slack ensures optimal performance and access to the newest collaboration features.

Removing Slack from Debian

If you no longer need Slack on your Debian system, you can easily uninstall it. The method depends on how you initially installed the application.

For .deb package installations, open a terminal, and run the following command to remove Slack:

sudo apt remove slack-desktop

This command will uninstall Slack but retain any configuration files. If you also want to remove these files, use:

sudo apt purge slack-desktop

For Flatpak installations, use the following command to uninstall Slack:

flatpak uninstall com.slack.Slack

The Flatpak uninstallation process ensures that Slack is completely removed from your system, including any sandboxed data.

After removal, you can verify that Slack has been uninstalled by attempting to launch it or checking the list of installed packages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

This guide has provided step-by-step instructions to install Slack on Debian 12 and 11 using either the .deb package or Flatpak. Whether you prefer the traditional APT-based installation or a sandboxed Flatpak environment, the methods outlined here ensure a smooth setup experience.

Additionally, we’ve covered how to launch, update, and remove Slack to maintain or manage your installation effectively. With Slack installed, you can streamline team communication and enhance productivity on your Debian system.

Share Your Experience

We hope this guide helped you successfully install and manage Slack on your Debian system. If you have any questions, tips, or experiences to share, we encourage you to leave a comment below. Your insights could assist others in the community and spark meaningful discussions!