Textbook of Linux

Flatpak is a cross-distribution application packaging system focused on desktop applications. It bundles applications with their dependencies and runs them in a sandbox based on bubblewrap, with portals (via D-Bus) providing controlled access to host resources like files, cameras, and notifications. The main software repository is Flathub, a community-run store hosting thousands of applications.

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
flatpak search gimp
flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP
flatpak run org.gimp.GIMP
flatpak update

Flatpak introduces the concept of runtimes: shared sets of libraries (like GNOME or KDE Platform) that many applications can depend on, reducing duplication. Applications declare the runtime they need, and flatpak installs it once and shares it across apps. Permissions are controlled with flatpak override or graphical tools like Flatseal.

Compared with Snap, Flatpak has a more federated model—anyone can host a Flatpak repository—and is the preferred format on Fedora, Endless OS, and Steam Deck. It targets desktop apps specifically; for servers and command-line tools, distribution packages remain the right choice.