Linux Onboarding Guide

This document provides step-by-step instructions for setting up a Linux workstation with essential developer tools and customizations, tailored for both Debian-based and Fedora-based systems.

System Update

Always start with a full system update.

Debian-basedFedora-based

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

sudo dnf update -y

Install Homebrew (Linuxbrew)

Homebrew is a popular package manager. It's optional but very useful.

Install dependencies:

• build-essential – Installs compilers and tools for building software (like gcc, make).
• procps – Provides system utilities like ps, top, kill, etc.
• curl – Transfers data from or to a server using URL syntax (HTTP, FTP, etc).
• file – Detects file types based on content, not extension.
• git – Distributed version control system for tracking code changes.

Debian-basedFedora-basedInstall Homebrew

sudo apt install build-essential procps curl file git -y

sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools" -y && sudo dnf install procps-ng curl file git -y

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

- Add Homebrew to your shell profile (this will be prompted at the end of the install):

echo 'eval "$(/home/linuxbrew/.linuxbrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.profile
eval "$(/home/linuxbrew/.linuxbrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

- Test it:

brew doctor

Install Zsh

Zsh is a more powerful alternative to bash.

Debian-basedFedora-based

sudo apt install zsh -y

sudo dnf install zsh -y

Then change your default shell:

chsh -s $(which zsh)

Log out and back in to use Zsh.

Install Oh My Zsh

A framework for managing your Zsh configuration.

sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"

Install Powerlevel10k Theme

Powerlevel10k is a fast, stylish Zsh theme.

• Clone the theme:

  git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k.git ${ZSH_CUSTOM:-$HOME/.oh-my-zsh/custom}/themes/powerlevel10k
  

• Set the theme in your ~/.zshrc:

  ZSH_THEME="powerlevel10k/powerlevel10k"
  

• Then reload Zsh:

  source ~/.zshrc
  

• When prompted, go through the Powerlevel10k configuration wizard.

Optional Nice-to-Haves

Here are some other useful tools and utilities you might want:

• bat – A cat clone with syntax highlighting and Git integration.
• exa – A modern replacement for ls with more features and colors.
• fzf – A fast fuzzy finder for searching files, history, etc.
• ripgrep – A super-fast recursive search tool, like grep but better.
• neovim – A modern, extensible version of the Vim text editor.

Debian-basedFedora-basedVia Homebrew

sudo apt install bat exa fzf ripgrep neovim -y

sudo dnf install bat exa fzf ripgrep neovim -y

• works the same on both distros

  brew install bat exa fzf ripgrep neovim
  

Reboot (optional)

Some changes (like default shell) take effect cleanly after a reboot:

sudo reboot

You're now set up with a modern, powerful Linux terminal environment!