Pop!_OS Setup Guide

guides linux

In December 2021 I moved from Windows to Pop!_OS. These are my notes for first time configuration to get myslef up and running and refer back to later.

This guide will be updated as needed as new apps or configurations are added.

Update OS and install common tools

Security updates:

sudo apt update && sudo apt dist-upgrade -y

Install common tools:

sudo apt install \
neofetch \
gnome-tweaks \
gnome-shell-extensions \
libusb-1.0-0-dev \
libusb-1.0-0 \
cabextract

Cleanup:

sudo apt autoremove -y
sudo apt autoclean -y

Check and update firmware:

sudo fwupdmgr get-devices
sudo fwupdmgr get-updates
sudo fwupdmgr update

Reboot:

sudo reboot now

Improve Font Rendering

Install Gnome Tweaks to adjust font rendering. Can be installed from Pop!_Shop or terminal:

  • Run sudo apt install gnome-tweaks
  • Run gnome-tweaks
  • Fonts > Hinting > Set to “Full”
  • Fonts > Antialiasing > Set to “Subpixel (for LCD screens)”

Install fonts

Install Font Manager to manage fonts. Can be installed from Pop!_Shop or terminal:

flatpak install flathub org.gnome.FontManager

Install Overpass font (thanks erik1066) by downloading from the RedHatOfficial Repo and extract.

Open Font Manager > press + > Navigate to extracted ZIP and import fonts.

Open Tweaks > Fonts

  • Interface Text set to Overpass Regular
  • Monospace Text set to “Overpass Mono”
  • Legacy Window Titles set to “Overpass Semi Bold”

Terminal

By default a fresh install the host is called pop-os; rename it for better accessability and personalisation.

hostnamectl set-hostname flamedfury

Set terminal theme to One Dark theme for GNOME Terminal.

bash -c "$(curl -fsSL
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/denysdovhan/gnome-terminal-one/master/one-dark.sh)"

Restart terminal for settings to take effect.

Coding & Hacking

MarkText

I need a good markdown editor, Mark Text is my editor of choice on Linux. Can be installed from Pop!_Shop or from terminal:

flatpak install flathub com.github.marktext.marktext

VSCodium

I’m moving across to VSCodium for all my coding. Can be installed from Pop!_Shop or from terminal:

flatpak install flathub com.vscodium.codium

Settings

Custom settings: File > Preferences > Settings

  • Titlebar set to “Custom”
  • Enable Natural Language Search set to “False”
  • Enable Experiments set to “False”
  • Editor: Format on Save set to “Enable”
  • Editor: Font Size set to “16px”
  • Editor: Tab Size set to “2”

settings.json:

{
  "workbench.colorTheme": "One Dark Pro Flat",
  "terminal.integrated.defaultProfile.linux": "bash",
  "editor.fontSize": 16,
  "editor.tabSize": 2,
  "window.titleBarStyle": "custom",
  "workbench.settings.enableNaturalLanguageSearch": false,
  "workbench.enableExperiments": false,
  "editor.formatOnSave": true
}

Extensions

I don’t rely on too many extensions, the following help me on my web projects:

  • Prettier: An opinionated code formatter that enforces a consistent style by parsing code based on a rule set.
  • Auto Close Tag: Automatically closes HTML/XML tags, really useful.
  • Live Server: Launch a development local Server with live reload feature for static & dynamic pages. Useful when I’m working on a non 11ty project.

Themes

Only one dark theme matters to me: Atom One Dark Theme

Firefox

Firefox is installed by default on Pop!_OS.

Settings

Firefox > Settings > Default Search Engine > Set to “DuckDuckGo”

Firefox > Settings > Browsing > Enable “User autoscrolling”

Firefox > Settings > Privacy

  • Allow Firefox to send technical and interaction data to Mozilla disable
  • Uncheck "Allow Firefox to install and run studies disable

Firefox > about:config > layers.acceleration.force-enabled > set to “True”
Firefox > about:config > layers.force-active > set to “True”

Gaming

Pop!_OS makes it really easy to get up and running with my favourite games.

Steam

Steam is amazing for gaming on Linux. Can be installed from Pop!_Shop or terminal:

sudo apt install steam

Enable Proton: Steam > Settings > Steam Play > Enable “Enable Steam Play for supported titles” AND “Enable Steam Play for all other titles”.

Install ProtonUp-QT for managing external Proton releases to play GTA V.
Can be installed from Pop!_Shop or terminal:

flatpak install flathub net.davidotek.pupgui2

Install Glorious Eggroll Proton: ProtonUp-QT > Add version > Proton-GE / 7.0rc2-GE-1 (or other specific version)

Configure Steam to run GTA V in Proton GE: Steam > Library > Rightclick Grand Theft Auto V > Properties > Compatibility > Enable “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool” and set to “Proton-7.0rc2-GE-1”

Xbox One Controller

To use the Xbox One Controller + Wireless Adapter for Windows 10 install xow, a Linux user mode driver for the Xbox One wireless dongle.

git clone https://github.com/medusalix/xow.git \
cd xow \
make BUILD=RELEASE \
sudo make install \
sudo systemctl enable xow.service \
sudo systemctl start xow.service\
sudo reboot -now

Lutris

Lutris is a game launcher that enables me to play non Steam Proton games on Linux, like World of Warcraft. Various games have various levels of support. Can be installed from Pop!_Shop or terminal:

sudo apt install lutris

Other apps

Useful apps, that don’t need individual configuration. Can be installed from Pop!_Shop

  • Discord for interacting with my many communities
  • Solaar for manging my Logitech devices
  • Spotify for listening to music
  • Librewolf is a Firefox fork with a focus on security and privacy
  • Fluent Reader for RSS feeds

The following guides were used to develop my own:

View this page on GitHub.