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linux_build.md

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Publishing a Linux desktop app made with Flutter involves packaging it properly and distributing it through a method that fits your audience (e.g. direct download, GitHub, PPA, Snap, Flatpak, etc.).

Here’s a complete step-by-step guide from scratch tailored for a Flutter Linux app.

✅ STEP 0: Prerequisites

Make sure you have:

  • Flutter installed and working with desktop support (flutter doctor)
  • dpkg-deb, cmake, make, gcc, and glib installed on Ubuntu
  • Your Flutter app is already working on Linux (flutter run -d linux)

✅ STEP 1: Build the App for Release

flutter build linux --release

This creates your app in:

build/linux/x64/release/bundle/

Contents:

  • ir_net (binary)
  • flutter_assets/ (assets)
  • Shared libraries

✅ STEP 2: Create Debian Package Structure

Structure your .deb folder manually:

mkdir -p ir_net_pkg/DEBIAN
mkdir -p ir_net_pkg/usr/bin/ir_net
mkdir -p ir_net_pkg/usr/share/applications
mkdir -p ir_net_pkg/usr/share/icons/hicolor/256x256/apps

✅ STEP 3: Copy Build Output

cp -r build/linux/x64/release/bundle/* ir_net_pkg/usr/bin/ir_net/

Make sure the binary is executable:

chmod +x ir_net_pkg/usr/bin/ir_net/ir_net

✅ STEP 4: Create Control File

Create ir_net_pkg/DEBIAN/control:

Package: ir-net
Version: 1.0.0
Section: utils
Priority: optional
Architecture: amd64
Depends: libgtk-3-0, libglib2.0-0
Maintainer: Your Name <you@example.com>
Description: IR Net – A Flutter desktop app for Linux.

✅ STEP 5: Add .desktop Launcher

Create ir_net_pkg/usr/share/applications/ir_net.desktop:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=IR Net
Comment=IR Net Desktop App
Exec=/usr/bin/ir_net/ir_net
Icon=ir_net
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Utility;

✅ STEP 6: Add App Icon

Put your 256x256 PNG icon in:

cp linux/assets/icon.png ir_net_pkg/usr/share/icons/hicolor/256x256/apps/ir_net.png

✅ STEP 7: Build the .deb Package

dpkg-deb --build ir_net_pkg

This creates:

ir_net_pkg.deb

Rename it if you like:

mv ir_net_pkg.deb ir-net_1.0.0_amd64.deb

✅ STEP 8: Test Your Package

sudo dpkg -i ir-net_1.0.0_amd64.deb

To fix missing dependencies:

sudo apt-get install -f

Then launch your app from the system menu or via:

/usr/bin/ir_net/ir_net

✅ STEP 9: Distribute Your App

Here are common methods to publish:

🔹 GitHub Releases (Simple, Direct)

  1. Create a GitHub repo (if you haven’t)
  2. Upload your .deb file in the "Releases" section
  3. Share the link (e.g. https://github.com/you/ir_net/releases)

🔹 Snapcraft (Canonical)

Use if you want your app in the Snap Store. You'll need:

Let me know if you want this path — it's a bit more involved.

🔹 Flatpak (Flathub)

Alternative to Snap. Good for wide desktop support.

🔹 Personal APT Repo or Launchpad PPA

If you want users to apt install ir-net:

  • Host your .deb files on a web server or Launchpad
  • Sign your packages
  • Create a repository index

Let me know if you want to go this route.

✅ Recap Checklist

✅ Task Done?
flutter build linux ✔️
Create .deb structure ✔️
Add control & desktop files ✔️
Include icon and binary ✔️
Build & test .deb package ✔️
Upload or publish ⬜