linux-installer
Installs, launches, and uninstalls Linux desktop apps by resolving the safest supported source first, then running a local helper CLI. Use when the user asks to install software like GIMP, Notepad++, or other desktop apps on Linux and wants the install command plus the command to launch or remove it.
Install via CLI (Recommended)
clawhub install openclaw/skills/skills/baladoodle/linux-installerWhat This Skill Does
The linux-installer skill is an advanced automation utility designed to manage the lifecycle of desktop applications on Linux distributions. It abstracts the complexity of multiple package managers by prioritizing a curated hierarchy of sources, ranging from universal formats like Flatpak and Snap to native repository managers and community-provided workarounds. Beyond simple execution, the skill manages the 'bootstrapping' process, ensuring that if a required runtime or manager (e.g., wine, flatpak, or snapd) is missing, the agent prepares the host environment first. It is designed to act as a safety-first intermediary between the user and the system's package management layer, requiring explicit confirmations for all installations, especially when community-sourced or unverified methods are involved.
Installation
To enable this skill, navigate to the local directory where OpenClaw stores its plugins. Ensure you have Python installed, then run the following commands to initialize the helper CLI:
cd ~/.openclaw/skills/linux-installer
pip install -e .
After installation, the agent will detect the helper and begin utilizing the linux-installer namespace for package resolution.
Use Cases
- Streamlined Software Provisioning: Effortlessly install standard desktop applications like GIMP, Notepad++, or VLC without manually checking if you need a Snap, Flatpak, or native DEB/RPM package.
- Tooling Bootstrapping: Automatically detect and resolve dependencies for software that requires Wine or specific build tools, preventing "command not found" errors.
- Alternative Source Resolution: When official packages are unavailable, the skill leverages curated community workarounds to allow access to otherwise unsupported software.
- Safe Removal: Manage disk space and system integrity by using the agent to both install and uninstall applications, ensuring associated binaries and launch commands are cleanly removed.
Example Prompts
- "I need to install GIMP. Can you find the safest way to set it up and tell me how to run it afterwards?"
- "Please uninstall Notepad++ and remove any associated configuration files that were installed via the helper."
- "Is there a way to run the Windows-only tool 'MusicMatch' on this system? Use a community workaround if necessary."
Tips & Limitations
- Safety First: Always read the agent's summary before confirming. The skill prioritizes Flatpak and Snap due to their sandboxing, which provides better security than native binary installs.
- Unreviewed Sources: Be cautious with unreviewed community suggestions. These are pulled dynamically from metadata and have not been vetted by OpenClaw maintainers. Ensure
unsafeCommunityInstallsis toggled only when you trust the source. - Permissions: The skill may request sudo privileges to install necessary dependencies via your native package manager. Only provide these if you trust the current operation.
Metadata
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Find the right skillPaste this into your clawhub.json to enable this plugin.
{
"plugins": {
"official-baladoodle-linux-installer": {
"enabled": true,
"auto_update": true
}
}
}Tags(AI)
Flags: file-write, code-execution