How to Install Flameshot on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04

Flameshot is a versatile screenshot tool designed for Linux systems. Its intuitive interface offers extensive customization and editing features. Unlike traditional screenshot tools, Flameshot has robust functionalities that cater to a wide range of user needs, from basic screenshot capture to advanced image editing and annotation capabilities.

Here’s why Flameshot is highly regarded:

• Ease of Use: Simple, user-friendly interface allowing quick access to its features.
• Powerful Annotation Tools: Includes arrows, lines, text, and shapes to highlight or explain parts of your screenshot.
• Customization Options: Customize color, size, and even the blur effect for sensitive information.
• Flexible Capture Options: Choose from full-screen, window, or custom area captures.
• In-App Editing: Edit screenshots immediately after capture without needing an external editor.
• Screenshot Sharing: Easily share your screenshots through various platforms with minimal steps.
• Command-Line Support: Offers command-line options for automation and integration with other tools.
• Cross-Distribution Support: Available on multiple Linux distributions, ensuring wide accessibility.

Transitioning from a snapshot of Flameshot’s capabilities to applying these in practice, the following steps will guide you through a seamless installation process.

Method 1: Install Flameshot via APT

Update Ubuntu Packages Before Flameshot Installation

Before proceeding with the tutorial, ensuring your system is up-to-date with all existing packages is good.

sudo apt update

Proceed to upgrade any outdated packages using the following command.

sudo apt upgrade

Install Flameshot via APT Command

Flameshot is available in Ubuntu’s standard repository by default. This is the best option for most users who prefer not to use a third-party package manager.

sudo apt install flameshot

Method 2: Install Flameshot via Flatpak and Flathub

The second option involves using the Flatpak package manager. While Ubuntu doesn’t natively include Flatpak because Canonical supports both Ubuntu and Snaps, you can install it from the repository.

Enable Flathub for Flameshot

Next, you must enable Flatpack using the following command in your terminal.

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

Install Flameshot on Ubuntu via Flatpak Command

Next, you can install Flameshot Flatpak using the following command:

flatpak install flathub org.flameshot.Flameshot -y

Method 3: Install Flameshot via Snap

The third method to get Flameshot on Ubuntu is through Snapcraft. While Snapcraft might not be as widely recognized as Flatpak in the broader Linux community, it remains efficient on Ubuntu, especially with Canonical advocating for increased Snap usage.

Verify Snap is Installed on Ubuntu for Flameshot Installation

To deploy Flameshot using Snapcraft, initiate by installing the Snap Manager. If you had previously uninstalled it, reinstall it using the command:

sudo apt install snapd -y

Subsequently, set up the core files for SNAP to prevent potential complications:

sudo snap install core

Install Flameshot on Ubuntu via Snap Command

Conclusively, install Flameshot with the command:

sudo snap install flameshot

Launch Flameshot via CLI Commands or GUI Path

CLI Commands to Launch Flameshot

With Flameshot installed, you can launch the software immediately using the command terminal.

flameshot

flatpak run org.flameshot.Flameshot

snap run flameshot

GUI Path to Launch Flameshot

Ubuntu desktop users often prefer using the application icon, which you can pin to your sidebar. You can find the application icon at the following path:

Activites > Show Applications > Flameshot

Flameshot CLI Command Examples

Below are some basic CLI commands you can use with Flameshot for users who prefer using terminal actions over GUI methods.

Common Example Commands For Flameshot

capture with GUI:

flameshot gui

Capture with GUI with custom save path:

flameshot gui --path ~/myStuff/captures

Open GUI with a delay of 3 seconds:

flameshot gui --delay 3000

Fullscreen capture (asking to save path):

flameshot full

Fullscreen capture with custom save path (no GUI) and delayed:

flameshot full --path ~/myStuff/captures --delay 5000

Capture fullscreen with custom save path copying to clipboard:

flameshot full --clipboard --path ~/myStuff/captures

CLI Configuration Commands For Flameshot

Open the configuration menu:

flameshot config

Show the initial help message in the capture mode:

flameshot config --showhelp true

To check mistakes and issues in the configuration file:

flameshot config --check

For more information about the available options, use the help flag:

flameshot config --help

Additional Flameshot Commands

Update Flameshot

To keep Flameshot up-to-date, it is often recommended to check routinely for updates using the cli command terminal; this way, you are sure your system is up to date.

APT Update Command For Flameshot

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Flatpak Update Command For Flameshot

flatpak update

Snap Update Command For Flameshot

snap refresh

Remove Flameshot

The removal of the Flameshot is straightforward. Use the following command to match your installation.

APT Remove Command For Flameshot

sudo apt remove flameshot

Flatpak Remove Command For Flameshot

To remove the Flatpack version, run the following command.

flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.flameshot.Flameshot -y

Snap Remove Commands For Flameshot

sudo snap remove flameshot

Conclusion

Throughout this guide, we’ve covered three different methods for installing Flameshot on Ubuntu versions 24.04, 22.04, and 20.04 LTS, diving into first-time user tips, customization tricks, and handy keyboard shortcuts to enhance your screenshot experience. Remember to explore Flameshot’s rich features and integrate them into your daily tasks for better productivity. Happy screenshotting!

Useful Links

Here are some valuable links related to using Flameshot:

• Flameshot Official Website: Visit the official Flameshot website for information about the screenshot tool, its features, and download options.
• Flameshot Documentation: Access comprehensive documentation for detailed guides on installing, configuring, and using Flameshot.