🌍 Read this in other languages:
- 🇧🇷 Portuguese: README.pt-BR.md
Flatctl is a graphical Flatpak manager written in Bash using YAD.
It provides a simple interface to perform common Flatpak operations without using the terminal.
I mainly wrote it because I use Slackware Linux and Salix Os as my main distros, and I use loads of Flatpaks, but wanted to perform the operations using a GUI. I know there are much more complete solutions out there for this, but i wanted something "GUI Like" and at the same time simpler and straight to the point.
| Main Window | Search Dialog |
|---|---|
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| Search Results | Installation Process |
|---|---|
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- Search and install applications from Flathub (can install in "bulk" selecting several apps)
- List installed applications and runtimes
- Update installed Flatpaks
- Uninstall applications (can uninstall in "bulk" selecting several apps)
- Perform basic maintenance:
flatpak repair- removal of unused runtimes and data
- Real-time output for long-running operations
- Lightweight and minimalistic
- English and Portuguese support
Flatctl does not perform dependency checks during installation.
Make sure the following are installed on your system:
- Bash (modern version)
- Flatpak
- YAD (Yet Another Dialog)
- pkexec (from polkit) — used for the
flatpak repairoperation - Flathub repository added and configured on the system
- Bash 5.1.16
- Flatpak 1.14.10
- YAD 13.0
Flatctl is not just a simple wrapper around Flatpak commands.
It is designed to behave like a real application, even though it is written entirely in Bash.
-
Single instance control
Prevents multiple instances using file locking (flock). -
Concurrency control
Ensures that only one operation runs at a time. -
Process isolation
Usessetsidto manage background tasks independently. -
Inter-process communication
Uses FIFO pipes to stream command output in real time. -
Responsive UI
Long-running operations display live output using YAD.
This approach avoids the typical "dialog chain" behavior seen in simple scripts and provides a more consistent user experience.
Flatctl is simple and to the point, so it makes the following assumptions:
All operations are executed using:
--system
This follows the default Flatpak setup using system-wide installations and polkit authentication.
Applications are installed from Flathub:
flatpak install flathub <app>
Flatctl does not support selecting alternative remotes.
Flatctl uses modern Bash features and is not designed to be POSIX-compliant.
Clone the repository:
$ git clone https://github.com/pedrobfernandes/flatctl.git
$ cd flatctlRun the installer:
$ ./install-flatctl🗑️ Uninstallation:
Like the main application, the uninstaller is added to $PATH, so it will suffice in the terminal to just type in:
$ uninstall-flatctlAnd everything related to the program will be removed.
🖥️ Usage
Run:
$ flatctlOr use the desktop entry in the applications menu.
Flatctl automatically detects system language via:
$LANG
Supported languages:
- English
- Portuguese
- Flatctl does not aim to replace full-featured Flatpak frontends.
- It focuses on common daily operations.
- Advanced features are intentionally out of scope.
Pedro Fernandes