Windows Add-AppxPackage equivalent in Linux
Installs a desktop application from a Flatpak repository such as Flathub.
Add-AppxPackage
flatpak install flathub APP_ID
flatpak install flathub APP_ID
flatpak install flathub APP_ID
Overview
What this command does
On Windows, "Add-AppxPackage" is used to install a sandboxed desktop application. On Linux, the closest practical mapping shown here is "flatpak install flathub APP_ID". Installs a desktop application from a Flatpak repository such as Flathub. This reference is grouped under Package Management.
Windows → Linux context
What changes when you use this on Linux?
Equivalent task, different tool
Windows Add-AppxPackage maps to flatpak install flathub APP_ID for this task. Treat this as a workflow mapping rather than a character-for-character syntax translation.
Portable across the compared distros
The Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch rows use the same command in this mapping. Package availability or defaults can still vary, so check the installed tool version when an option behaves differently.
For the broader concept behind this mapping, read Linux package management.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Install a sandboxed desktop application
Installs a desktop application from a Flatpak repository such as Flathub.
flatpak search firefox
Find an application ID
flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.firefox
Install from Flathub
flatpak run org.mozilla.firefox
Launch the application
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
flatpak search firefox
flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.firefox
flatpak run org.mozilla.firefox
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
flatpak search firefox # search Flatpak applications
flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.firefox # install Firefox
flatpak run org.mozilla.firefox # run the installed appReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
flatpak search firefox | Find an application ID |
flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.firefox | Install from Flathub |
flatpak run org.mozilla.firefox | Launch the application |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
The command "flatpak install flathub APP_ID" is the same in all three rows, while package or base details differ: Debian/Ubuntu uses apt + flatpak; Fedora uses dnf + flatpak; Arch uses pacman + flatpak.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | apt + flatpak | flatpak install flathub APP_ID |
Installs apps from Flathub after Flatpak is installed. Install Flatpak with: sudo apt install flatpak. |
| Fedora | dnf + flatpak | flatpak install flathub APP_ID |
Installs apps from Flathub after Flatpak is installed. Fedora usually has strong Flatpak integration. |
| Arch | pacman + flatpak | flatpak install flathub APP_ID |
Installs apps from Flathub after Flatpak is installed. Install Flatpak with: sudo pacman -S flatpak. |
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