DEV Community: Sunil Pradhan

Linux Commands for Beginners: mkdir Explained

Sunil Pradhan — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 11:01:06 +0000

When I started using Linux Mint, I often copied terminal commands from tutorials without really understanding what they meant.

One of the first commands I came across was:

mkdir -p ~/.config/ulauncher/user-themes

At first, it looked confusing.

What does -p mean? What is ~? Why is there a dot (.) before config?

In this post, I'll explain each part in the simplest way possible.

What is mkdir?

mkdir stands for Make Directory.

It is used to create a new folder.

Example:

mkdir Documents

This creates a folder named Documents.

What does -p mean?

The -p option tells Linux:

"Create parent folders if they don't already exist."

Imagine you want to create this folder structure:

Projects/
└── Python/
└── MyApp/

If none of these folders exist and you run:

mkdir Projects/Python/MyApp

Linux will return an error because the Projects folder doesn't exist.

Instead, use:

mkdir -p Projects/Python/MyApp

Now Linux creates all the missing folders automatically.

Another benefit is that if the folders already exist, mkdir -p won't show an error.

What does ~ mean?

The ~ (tilde) is a shortcut for your Home directory.

For example, if your username is sunil, then:

is the same as:

/home/sunil

You can check this yourself by running:

echo ~

Example output:

/home/sunil

What is .config?

Folders that begin with a dot (.) are hidden folders in Linux.

The .config folder stores configuration files for many applications.

For example:

~/.config
├── brave
├── code
├── gtk-4.0
├── ulauncher
└── ...

Many Linux applications save their settings here.

Putting It All Together

Let's look at the original command again:

mkdir -p ~/.config/ulauncher/user-themes

Here's what each part means:

Part	Meaning
`mkdir`	Create a folder
`-p`	Create parent folders if needed
`~`	Your Home directory
`.config`	Hidden configuration folder
`ulauncher/user-themes`	The folders to create

So the command simply means:

Create the user-themes folder inside ~/.config/ulauncher. If any of the parent folders don't exist, create them too.

The final folder structure will look like this:

/home/your-username
└── .config
└── ulauncher
└── user-themes

Beginner Tip

Whenever you see a Linux command, don't just copy and paste it.

Try breaking it into smaller parts:

What is the command?
What do the options (-p, -r, -f, etc.) mean?
Where is the command working?
What will change after running it?

Understanding commands instead of memorizing them makes learning Linux much easier.

Final Thoughts

When I first saw mkdir -p ~/.config/ulauncher/user-themes, it looked intimidating.

After breaking it down, I realized it's simply telling Linux to create a folder inside my Home directory and automatically create any missing parent folders.

As a Linux beginner, I've found that understanding one command at a time builds confidence much faster than memorizing dozens of commands.

How to Install Custom Themes in Ulauncher on Linux Mint (Beginner's Guide)

Sunil Pradhan — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 10:41:59 +0000

One of the reasons I switched to Linux Mint was the ability to customize almost everything. After installing Ulauncher, I was impressed by how fast and useful it is for launching applications, searching files, and running commands.

While exploring Ulauncher, I discovered that it also supports custom themes. That's when I realized something—installing a theme isn't as obvious as installing an application. There isn't a simple "Download Theme" button, and as a beginner, I wasn't sure where the files should go.

If you're in the same situation, don't worry. This guide will walk you through the entire process step by step.

What is Ulauncher?

Ulauncher is a lightweight aA PPA is simply application launcher for Linux. Think of it as a quick search bar that lets you:

Launch applications
Search files and folders
Perform calculations
Use extensions for additional features
Save time by using keyboard shortcuts

Instead of searching through the application menu, you can simply press your shortcut key (usually Ctrl + Space) and start typing.

Can You Change Its Appearance?

Yes!

Ulauncher supports custom themes, allowing you to change its colors, fonts, borders, and overall appearance.

This means you can match Ulauncher with your Linux Mint desktop theme or simply choose a design that you like.

Where Are Themes Stored?

One thing that confused me as a beginner was this question:

"Where do I install the theme?"

Unlike Windows, Linux applications often store user-specific configuration files inside your Home directory.

For Ulauncher, custom themes are stored in:

~/.config/ulauncher/user-themes/

Let's understand this path:

Folder	Meaning
`~`	Your Home directory
`.config`	Stores configuration files for applications
`.config/ulauncher`	Ulauncher settings
`.config/user-themes`	Folder for your custom themes

If the folder doesn't exist, we'll create it.

Step 1: Create the Themes Folder

Open Terminal and run:

mkdir -p ~/.config/ulauncher/user-themes

What does this command do?

mkdir creates a directory.
-p creates any missing parent directories automatically.
If the folder already exists, nothing bad happens.

Step 2: Download a Theme

Most Ulauncher themes are available on GitHub.

For example, a theme repository might look like this:

https://github.com/username/theme-name

You have two common ways to install a theme.

Option 1: Clone Using Git

Go to the themes folder:

cd ~/.config/ulauncher/user-themes

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/username/theme-name.git

Git downloads the theme directly into the correct location.

Option 2: Download a ZIP File

Some theme repositories provide a ZIP download.

If you download a ZIP file:

Extract it.
Move the extracted folder into:

~/.config/ulauncher/user-themes/

Step 3: Verify the Folder Structure

This is probably the most common mistake beginners make.

Your folder should look like this:

user-themes/
└── Dracula/
├── manifest.json
├── theme.css
└── other files...

Notice that manifest.json is directly inside the theme folder.

Incorrect Structure

user-themes/
└── Dracula-master/
└── Dracula/
├── manifest.json

Here, the theme is inside an extra folder, so Ulauncher won't detect it.

Step 4: Select the Theme

Open:

Ulauncher Preferences

Go to:

Color Theme

If everything is installed correctly, your new theme will appear in the list.

Select it, and the new appearance will be applied immediately.

Step 5: Restart Ulauncher (If Necessary)

If the theme doesn't appear, restart Ulauncher.

Run:

pkill ulauncher
ulauncher &

Or simply log out and log back into your Linux session.

How to Check Whether the Theme Is Installed Correctly

List all installed themes:

ls ~/.config/ulauncher/user-themes

Example:
Dracula
Nord
Catppuccin
TokyoNight

Now check one theme:

ls ~/.config/ulauncher/user-themes/Dracula

You should see something like:

manifest.json
theme.css
theme-gtk-3.20.css

If manifest.json is missing, Ulauncher won't recognize the theme.

Bonus: You Can Customize Themes Yourself

One thing I really like about Linux is that many applications are highly customizable.

Ulauncher themes are built using CSS, the same language used to style websites.

If you're a web developer (or just curious), you can open files like:

theme.css

theme-gtk-3.20.css

using a text editor such as VS Code and experiment with colors, spacing, fonts, and borders.

Restart Ulauncher to see your changes.

It's a fun way to learn how Linux applications can be customized.

Things I Learned

While installing my first Ulauncher theme, I learned a few useful Linux concepts:

Linux applications often keep user settings inside the ~/.config directory.
The ~ symbol represents your Home directory.
GitHub isn't just for developers—it also hosts themes and other customization files.
Many Linux applications allow customization simply by editing configuration files.
Understanding the folder structure is often more important than running installation commands.

Final Thoughts

As a beginner, I initially expected installing a theme to be as simple as clicking an "Install" button. Instead, I discovered how Linux applications organize their files and how straightforward customization becomes once you understand the directory structure.

After installing my first Ulauncher theme, the process felt much less intimidating. It also gave me a better understanding of how Linux applications store user-specific settings.

If you're just starting your Linux Mint journey, don't be afraid to explore. Customizing your desktop is one of the most enjoyable ways to learn how Linux works behind the scenes, and every small step teaches you something new.

I Finally Understood Linux Repositories (Main, Universe, Restricted & Multiverse) as a Linux Mint Beginner

Sunil Pradhan — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 10:15:43 +0000

Introduction

When I switched from Windows to Linux Mint, I noticed something interesting.

Almost every installation guide started with commands like:

sudo apt install package-name

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:...

The commands worked, but one question kept bothering me:

"Where is Linux downloading these applications from?"

In Windows, we usually visit a website, download an installer, and install it ourselves.

Linux works differently.

Instead of downloading software from random websites, Linux installs most software from repositories.

Once I understood what a repository is, many other Linux concepts suddenly made sense.

Before We Learn About Repositories...

Let's first understand how installing software works in Windows.

Imagine you want VLC Media Player.

What do you usually do?

Open Browser
↓
Search "Download VLC"
↓
Visit Website
↓
Download Installer (.exe)
↓
Double-click
↓
Install

We're so used to this process that we don't even think about it.

Linux takes a different approach.

Linux Works More Like a Phone

Think about your Android phone.

When you want WhatsApp, you don't search Google for an installer.

You simply open the Play Store (Google Play Store).

WhatsApp
Instagram
Spotify
Telegram
Thousands of Apps

Linux has a very similar idea.

Instead of an App Store, it has something called a Repository.

So... What is a Repository?

A repository is simply a trusted online store of software.

It contains thousands of applications that your computer can download safely.

Linux Repository

Firefox
LibreOffice
GIMP
VLC
Thunderbird
VS Code
Thousands more...

When you run:

sudo apt install vlc

your computer doesn't search the internet.

It already knows where the trusted repositories are and downloads VLC from there.

Why Does Linux Have Multiple Repositories?

This confused me at first.

I wondered,

"Why not keep everything in one big repository?"

The answer is simple.

Not all software is the same.

Some software is officially maintained.

Some is maintained by the open-source community.

Some contains proprietary drivers.

Some has legal or licensing restrictions.

To keep things organized, Ubuntu (and Linux Mint) separates software into different repositories.

The Four Main Repository Sections

Repository	Purpose	Think of it as...
Main	Officially supported software	The core, trusted software for Ubuntu/Linux Mint
Universe	Community-maintained software	A huge library of extra applications
Restricted	Proprietary drivers and firmware	Hardware drivers that aren't open source
Multiverse	Software with licensing restrictions	Software that may have legal or licensing limitations

1. Main Repository

This is the repository Ubuntu officially maintains.

Think of it as the core software collection.

Software here is carefully tested and supported.

As a beginner, this is the software you can trust the most.

2. Universe Repository

This is where things get exciting.

The Universe repository contains thousands of additional applications maintained by the open-source community.

Many popular developer tools, utilities, and desktop applications live here.

As a Linux Mint user, you'll probably install software from Universe without even realizing it.

3. Restricted Repository

Some hardware manufacturers don't make their drivers open source.

For example:

NVIDIA graphics drivers
Some Wi-Fi drivers
Hardware firmware

Linux still provides these drivers because they help your hardware work correctly.

They're called Restricted because their licenses don't allow them to be fully open source.

4. Multiverse Repository

Some software has legal or licensing restrictions.

For example, it may be covered by patents or have redistribution rules in certain countries.

Instead of mixing it with the main software repositories, Ubuntu keeps it separate in Multiverse.

Most beginners don't need to worry much about this, but it's useful to know why it exists.

Where Does Linux Mint Get These Repositories?

Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu LTS.

That means it inherits Ubuntu's repository system.

So when you're using Linux Mint, you're also using Ubuntu's trusted software repositories.

What About PPAs?

Sometimes the software you want isn't available in the official repositories.

Or maybe the version there is old.

That's where a PPA (Personal Package Archive) comes in.

A PPA is simply an additional software repository created by a developer or organization.

Think of it like adding another trusted app store.

For example, Ulauncher provides an official PPA.

After adding it, Linux Mint's Update Manager can automatically update Ulauncher just like it updates Firefox or LibreOffice.

Why This Was an "Aha!" Moment for Me

Before learning this, I thought Linux worked like Windows.

Website
↓
Download
↓
Install
↓
Repeat for every update

Now I understand Linux works more like this:

Repository
↓
APT downloads software
↓
Software gets installed
↓
Update Manager keeps it updated

No more searching for installers every time a new version is released.

Key Takeaways

If you only remember five things from this article, remember these:

A repository is a trusted online collection of software.
Linux Mint installs most applications from repositories instead of random websites.
Main contains officially supported software.
Universe contains thousands of community-maintained applications.
PPAs are additional repositories that let you install or receive updates for software that isn't in the official repositories.

Ulauncher on Linux Mint: A Beginner's Guide to Installing, Auto-Start, and Customization

Sunil Pradhan — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 07:09:34 +0000

When I switched from Windows to Linux Mint, one thing I missed was having a quick launcher to open applications, search files, or perform simple tasks without navigating menus.

While exploring Linux applications, I came across Ulauncher, a lightweight and fast application launcher. After using it for a while, I can say it's one of those small tools that makes using Linux much more enjoyable.

If you're also new to Linux Mint, this guide will help you install Ulauncher, enable it to start automatically, and customize it for your daily workflow.

What is Ulauncher?

Ulauncher is an application launcher for Linux. Think of it as:

Spotlight on macOS
PowerToys Run on Windows

Instead of opening the menu and searching for an application, you simply press a keyboard shortcut, type a few letters, and launch the app instantly.

For example:

Ctrl + Space

Type

fire

and Firefox appears immediately.

It's simple, fast, and becomes part of your daily workflow very quickly.

Installing Ulauncher

Since Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, installing Ulauncher is straightforward.

Method 1 (Recommended): Install from the official PPA

Open Terminal and run:

sudo add-apt-repository universe -y
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:agornostal/ulauncher -y
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ulauncher

This installs Ulauncher and adds its repository so future updates arrive with your normal system updates.

Method 2: Install using the .deb package

You can also download the latest package from the official website.

Go to:

Ulauncher Downloads

Download:

ulauncher_x.x.x_all.deb

Then either:

Option A

Double-click the file.

Linux Mint opens the Software Installer.

Click Install.

Option B

Install from Terminal:

sudo apt install ./ulauncher_x.x.x_all.deb

The downside is that you'll need to manually install future versions unless you later add the PPA.

After installation, search for Ulauncher from the Linux Mint menu and launch it.

Start Ulauncher Automatically

The first thing I wanted was for Ulauncher to start automatically whenever I logged into Linux Mint.

Fortunately, this is already built in.

Open Ulauncher → Preferences and simply enable: Launch at Login

Now every time you log in, Ulauncher runs quietly in the background and is ready whenever you press its shortcut.

Understanding the Preferences

One thing I noticed is that Ulauncher doesn't have hundreds of settings. The interface is intentionally simple, which makes it easy for beginners.

Let's look at each option.

Hotkey

By default, Ulauncher uses:

Ctrl + Space

This shortcut opens Ulauncher.

You can change it to any keyboard shortcut you prefer.

Some popular choices are:

Ctrl + Space
Alt + Space
Super + Space

I personally like **Ctrl + Space** because it's easy to reach.

Color Theme
This changes the appearance of Ulauncher.

The default dark theme already looks nice, but there are many community-created themes available if you want to personalize it.

If you like dark desktops, you'll probably enjoy themes like:

Number of Frequent Apps to Show

This setting controls what happens when you open Ulauncher without typing anything.

If the value is:

nothing is shown.

If you change it to:

Ulauncher may display your most frequently used applications, such as:

Firefox
VS Code
Terminal
Files
Thunderbird

I found this quite useful because the apps I use every day are only one key press away.

Clear Input on Hide

Suppose you search for:

fire

and then close Ulauncher.

With this option enabled, the next time you open it, the search box is empty.

Most users will want to keep this enabled.

Render On

This option is mainly useful if you use multiple monitors.

When enabled, Ulauncher appears on whichever monitor currently has your mouse pointer.

If you only have one monitor, you don't need to worry about this setting.

Don't Hide After Losing Mouse Focus

Normally, clicking anywhere outside Ulauncher closes it automatically.

Enabling this option keeps it open even after clicking another window.

For most people, leaving this disabled is the better experience.

Creating Custom Search Shortcuts

This became one of my favorite features.

Instead of opening websites and searching manually, Ulauncher can search them directly.

For example, the default shortcuts include:

Google

g linux mint

Wikipedia

wiki linux

Stack Overflow

so react hooks

You can create your own shortcuts as well.

Here are a few useful ones.

GitHub

Keyword:

gh

URL:

https://github.com/search?q=%s

Usage:

gh react

YouTube

Keyword:

yt

URL:

https://youtube.com/results?search_query=%s

Usage:

yt linux mint

MDN Documentation

Keyword:

mdn

URL:

https://developer.mozilla.org/search?q=%s

Usage:

mdn fetch

This is especially useful if you're a web developer.

Extensions

While the settings are intentionally simple, Ulauncher becomes much more powerful through extensions.

Extensions add extra functionality without making the interface complicated.

Some popular extensions include:

Calculator
Emoji Picker
Clipboard Manager
Currency Converter
Unit Converter
Weather
Password Manager integration

You can browse and install extensions directly from the Extensions section.

As a beginner, I suggest starting with just one or two extensions instead of installing everything at once.

My Beginner-Friendly Configuration

After experimenting with Ulauncher, this is the setup I currently like:

Setting	Recommendation
Hotkey	Ctrl + Space
Launch at Login	Enabled
Frequent Apps	5
Clear Input on Hide	Enabled
Render On	Monitor with mouse pointer
Don't Hide After Losing Focus	Disabled

This keeps Ulauncher clean, simple, and fast.

Final Thoughts

One thing I appreciate about Ulauncher is that it doesn't try to do everything. It focuses on being a fast launcher and does that really well.

As someone who is still new to Linux Mint, I found it very easy to install, configure, and start using within a few minutes. Even if you only use it to launch applications, you'll probably find yourself reaching for it dozens of times a day.

If you're just starting your Linux journey, I definitely recommend giving Ulauncher a try. It's a small application, but it can make navigating your desktop much faster and more enjoyable.

How to Install Custom Themes and Icons in Linux Mint (Beginner's Guide)

Sunil Pradhan — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:23:37 +0000

One of the best things about Linux Mint is how easy it is to customize. Unlike many operating systems, Linux lets you change the entire look and feel of your desktop with just a few simple steps.

In this guide, I'll show you how to install a beautiful desktop theme and icon pack in Linux Mint. We'll use:

Space Theme – A clean and modern theme inspired by macOS.
MacTahoe Icon Theme – A polished icon pack that gives your desktop a fresh, premium look.

By the end of this tutorial, you'll know how to install and apply any theme or icon pack in Linux Mint.

Step 1: Download the Theme

First, download the Space Theme from GNOME Look.

On the download page, download all of these versions:

Space Light
Space Dark
Space Transparency

Having all versions gives you the flexibility to switch between light and dark desktop styles whenever you want.

Step 2: Download the Icon Pack

Next, download the MacTahoe Icon Theme.

After downloading, you'll have a compressed archive (usually a ZIP or TAR file).

Step 3: Extract the Downloaded Files

Open your Downloads folder.

Extract both the theme archive and the icon archive.

Once extracted, you can delete the original compressed files if you no longer need them.

Step 4: Create the Theme Folder

Now we need to tell Linux Mint where to find custom themes.

Open Files.
Go to your Home folder.
Press Ctrl + H to show hidden files.
Right-click on an empty area.
Select Create Folder.
Name the folder:.themes

Important: The folder name must start with a dot (.). This makes it a hidden folder in Linux.

If you already have a .themes folder, you can skip this step.

Step 5: Copy the Theme

Open the newly created .themes folder.

Now copy the extracted folders:

Space Light
Space Dark
Space Transparency

into the .themes folder.

That's it! Linux Mint can now detect these themes.

Step 6: Create the Icons Folder

Go back to your Home folder.

If you don't already have one, create another hidden folder named:

.icons

Again, remember to include the dot (.) at the beginning.

If the folder already exists, simply open it.

Step 7: Install the Icon Pack

Open the extracted MacTahoe Icon Theme folder.

Depending on the archive, you may see one or more icon theme folders inside.

Copy the icon theme folder(s) into your .icons folder.

Once copied, Linux Mint will be able to use the new icon pack.

Step 8: Apply the Theme

Now it's time to use the new theme.

Open the Application Menu.
Search for Themes.
Open the Themes application.
If you see the simple view, switch to Advanced Settings.

Under Applications, choose either:

Space Light
Space Dark
Space Transparency

You'll immediately notice the new appearance across your applications.

Step 9: Apply the Desktop Theme

In the same Themes window, change the Desktop theme.

You can choose:

Space Light
Space Dark
Space Transparency

The desktop panel, menus, sliders, and other interface elements will update instantly.

Feel free to try all versions and keep the one you like the most.

Step 10: Apply the Icons

Still inside the Themes application:

Click Icons.
Select MacTahoe from the list.

Your folders, system settings, applications, and many other icons will immediately change to the new design.

That's It!

Your Linux Mint desktop now has a fresh new look.

The great thing is that once you learn this process, you can install almost any theme or icon pack from websites like GNOME Look using the same method.

Simply remember:

Themes go inside ~/.themes
Icons go inside ~/.icons

After that, just open the Themes application and apply them.

Happy customizing!

How to Install Yarn on Linux Mint (Using NVM) for React and Vite Projects

Sunil Pradhan — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:06:19 +0000

If you're learning React on Linux Mint, one of the first things you'll need is a JavaScript package manager. While npm comes bundled with Node.js, many React projects also use Yarn.

In this guide, I'll show you how I installed Yarn on Linux Mint after installing Node.js using NVM (Node Version Manager). This is the recommended approach because it keeps your Node.js and package manager versions organized and easy to update.

Prerequisites

Before installing Yarn, make sure you already have:

Node.js installed using NVM
npm (installed automatically with Node.js)

You can verify your installation by running:

node -v
npm -v
which node
which npm

My output looked like this:

If your node and npm paths point to your .nvm directory, then you're ready to install Yarn.

Why I Didn't Install Yarn with npm

Earlier, it was common to install Yarn globally using:

npm install -g yarn

However, if you're using a modern version of Node.js (like Node.js 18, 20, 22, or newer), there's a better way.

Node.js now includes Corepack, a tool that manages package managers like Yarn and pnpm. This means you don't need to install Yarn globally with npm.

Step 1: Check if Corepack is Available

Run:

corepack --version

If you see a version number, Corepack is already installed.

Step 2: Enable Corepack

Enable it by running:

corepack enable

You only need to do this once.

Step 3: Install the Latest Stable Version of Yarn

Run:

corepack prepare yarn@stable --activate

Depending on your Corepack version, you can also use:

corepack use yarn@stable

Both commands activate the latest stable version of Yarn.

Step 4: Verify the Installation

Finally, check the installed version:

yarn --version

If a version number is displayed, Yarn has been installed successfully.

Verify Everything

You can also confirm your complete setup with:

node -v
npm -v
corepack --version
yarn --version

Everything should return version numbers without any errors.

Creating Your First React Project

Once Yarn is installed, creating a new React project with Vite is simple:

yarn create vite my-app

Move into the project folder:

cd my-app

Install the project dependencies:

yarn

Start the development server:

yarn dev

Open the URL shown in the terminal (usually http://localhost:5173) to see your React application running.

Why This Method Is Better

Using NVM together with Corepack offers several benefits:

Keeps Node.js versions easy to manage.
Uses the officially recommended way to install Yarn.
Avoids installing Yarn globally with npm.
Makes switching between different JavaScript projects much easier.
Works well with modern React and Vite applications.

Final Thoughts

If you're using Linux Mint and have installed Node.js through NVM, installing Yarn with Corepack is the cleanest and most future-proof approach.

The setup only takes a few minutes, and once it's done, you're ready to build modern React applications with Vite.

In my next post, I'll show you how to create your first React project using Vite and explain the folder structure so you can understand what each file does.

Customize Plank Dock in Linux Mint with Beautiful Themes (My Favorite is BigSur)

Sunil Pradhan — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:54:25 +0000

In my previous blog post, I explained how to install Plank Dock in Linux Mint and shared why I prefer it over the default panel for launching applications.

👉 If you haven't installed Plank yet, I recommend reading that guide first.

After using Plank for a few days, I discovered something interesting—you can also install custom themes for it.

That was a pleasant surprise!

I tried a few different themes, and after spending some time with them, I finally decided to keep the BigSur theme. In this article, I'll show you how to install Plank themes and share a few themes that are worth trying.

Where Plank Stores Themes

Plank looks for themes inside a folder called themes.

For your own user account, the location is:

~/.local/share/plank/themes

Don't worry if that path looks confusing. You don't have to remember it. I'll show you an easy way to reach it.

Method 1: Install a Theme Using the File Manager (Recommended)

If you're new to Linux, this is probably the easiest method.

Step 1

Open Files (the default file manager in Linux Mint).

Step 2

Press Ctrl + H.

This shows hidden folders. You should now see a folder named .local.

Step 3

Open the folders one by one:

.local
└── share
└── plank
└── themes

If the themes folder doesn't exist, simply create a new folder and name it:

themes

That's it.

Method 2: Create the Folder Using Terminal

If you are comfortable using the terminal, run this command:

mkdir -p ~/.local/share/plank/themes

The command creates the folder automatically if it doesn't already exist.

Download a Plank Theme

There are many free Plank themes available online.

Some good places to download them are:

Most themes are downloaded as a ZIP file.

Extract the ZIP file, and you'll get a folder with the theme files inside.

For example:

BigSur
Material
Fluent
TokyoNight

Install the Theme

Simply copy the extracted theme folder into:

~/.local/share/plank/themes

For example:

themes
├── BigSur
├── Material
├── Fluent
└── TokyoNight

That's all you need to do.

Apply the Theme

Now it's time to use your new theme.

Hold Ctrl and Right-click on an empty area of the Plank dock.
Select Preferences.
Open the Appearance tab.
From the Theme dropdown, choose your newly installed theme.

The dock will change immediately.

No restart is required.

Themes I Tried

I experimented with a few different themes before deciding which one to keep.

BigSur ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This became my favorite.

It has a clean floating design inspired by macOS, rounded corners, and looks modern without being distracting.

This is the theme I finally decided to keep.

Fluent

A nice theme inspired by Windows 11.

Very clean and minimal.

Material

A simple theme based on Google's Material Design.

Good if you prefer a flat design.

Tokyo Night

A beautiful dark theme that looks great with dark wallpapers.

Transparent

This theme makes the dock almost disappear, allowing your wallpaper to stand out.

Why I Chose BigSur

After trying several themes, I always found myself coming back to BigSur.

Here are a few reasons:

It looks clean and modern.
It blends nicely with Linux Mint.
The floating dock gives the desktop a premium feel.
Icons stand out clearly.
It works well with both light and dark wallpapers.

Sometimes the simplest design is the best one, and BigSur feels just right for my desktop.

My Tip

Don't install every theme you find.

Download three or four themes, try each one for a day or two, and then choose the one you enjoy using the most.

A beautiful desktop is nice, but a comfortable desktop is even better.

Final Thoughts

One of the things I'm enjoying most after switching from Windows to Linux Mint is how much freedom it gives me to customize my desktop.

Installing Plank was already a big improvement for my workflow, but discovering custom themes made it even better.

For now, BigSur has become my permanent choice, and I don't think I'll be changing it anytime soon.

If you're using Plank, I definitely recommend trying a few themes. You might be surprised how much a small visual change can improve your overall desktop experience.

Have you found a Plank theme that you love? I'd be happy to hear your recommendation in the comments!

From Windows to Linux Mint: Discovering Plank Dock and Why I Finally Ditched the Taskbar

Sunil Pradhan — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:36:07 +0000

After spending years using Windows, switching to Linux Mint felt like moving into a new house. Everything was familiar enough to use, yet different enough to make me curious.

One of the first things I started doing was customizing my desktop.

That's when I discovered Plank.

Coming from Windows

As a long-time Windows user, my workflow looked like this:

Taskbar at the bottom
Start Menu on the left
Pinned applications
System tray on the right

I never thought much about changing it because that's simply how Windows works.

But after installing Linux Mint, I realized something interesting:

Linux gives you the freedom to make your desktop look and work exactly the way you want.

That's where Plank entered my Linux journey.

So, What is Plank?

Plank is a lightweight application dock for Linux.

Think of it as:

A launcher for your favorite applications
A place to see running applications
A modern replacement for the traditional taskbar

If you've ever used:

macOS Dock
ChromeOS Shelf

then you'll immediately understand the idea behind Plank.

The best part?

It is incredibly lightweight and works beautifully on Linux Mint.

Installing Plank

Installing it was surprisingly simple:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install plank

Then start it:

plank

Or open it from:

Menu → Accessories → Plank

Within seconds, I had a beautiful dock at the bottom of my desktop.

My First Impression

My first thought was:

"Why didn't Windows ever let me customize the taskbar this much?"

Plank instantly made my desktop feel:

cleaner
more modern
less cluttered

Instead of dozens of icons in the taskbar, I only kept the applications I use every day.

My Current Dock Setup

I pinned:

Chrome
Brave
Terminal
VS Code
Files
System Settings
Trash

As a front-end developer, this setup covers almost everything I need.

Make Plank Start Automatically

Method 1: GUI

Open Menu
Search Startup Applications
Click Add (+) Icon → Choose application → Plank

This ensures Plank launches automatically after login.

Open Plank Preferences

Hold: Ctrl + Right Click

on an empty area of the dock.

Then click: Preferences

You can also run:

plank --preferences

to open the settings directly.

Understanding the Appearance Settings

One thing I loved about Plank is how simple the settings are.

Theme

I chose: Transparent

It blends beautifully with dark wallpapers.

Position

Bottom

This feels natural and familiar coming from Windows.

Alignment

Center

It gives a clean macOS-style appearance.

Icon Size

56 pixels

Large enough to click comfortably.

Icon Zoom

150%

The animation is surprisingly satisfying.

Understanding the Behaviour Settings

I spent quite some time experimenting with these.

Hide Mode

I settled on: Window Dodge

The dock stays visible until a window touches it.

This turned out to be my favorite option because:

the dock doesn't waste screen space
it remains easily accessible

Show Unpinned Applications

Enabled.

I always want to know which applications are running.

Lock Icons

Once I finished arranging my dock, I turned this on to avoid accidentally moving icons.

Docklets: Small Features That Make a Difference

Plank also offers small utilities called Docklets.

Some of them are:

Battery
Trash
CPU Monitor
Desktop
Clock
Applications Menu

The ones I kept: Trash

As a developer, I also found the CPU Monitor useful during builds and heavy browser sessions.

Why I Like Plank More Than the Windows Taskbar

This might sound strange coming from someone who used Windows for years, but I now prefer Plank.

Why?

1. Simplicity

The dock only shows what I need.

2. Beautiful Animations

The zoom effect makes the desktop feel alive.

3. Better Use of Screen Space

The dock can automatically hide.

4. Customization

Themes, transparency, icon sizes, animations—everything can be adjusted.

Windows gives some customization.

Linux gives almost unlimited customization.

Final Thoughts

When I switched from Windows to Linux Mint, I expected a new operating system.

I didn't expect to enjoy customizing my desktop this much.

Plank may seem like a small application, but it completely changed the way I interact with my computer.

The biggest lesson from my Linux journey so far is this:

Linux doesn't force you into one way of working. It gives you the freedom to build your own experience.

And for me, that experience now includes a small, elegant dock called Plank.

How to Install Node.js on Linux Mint (Step-by-Step Guide)

Sunil Pradhan — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:48:17 +0000

If you're a web developer using Linux Mint, you'll eventually need to install Node.js to work with modern JavaScript frameworks like React, Next.js, Angular, or Vue.

One of the first questions many beginners ask is:

Does Linux Mint come with Node.js preinstalled?

The answer is No. Linux Mint does not include Node.js or npm by default. You need to install it manually.

In this guide, I'll show you the different ways to install Node.js on Linux Mint and explain which method I recommend for developers.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is an open-source JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 engine. It allows you to run JavaScript outside the browser and is widely used for:

Building web applications
Creating APIs and backend services
Running development tools like Vite and Webpack
Working with frameworks such as React, Next.js, and Angular

Check Whether Node.js Is Already Installed

Before installing Node.js, open the terminal and run:

node -v
npm -v

If Node.js is installed, you'll see something like:

v24.4.1
11.5.1

If you receive:

Command 'node' not found

then Node.js is not installed on your system.

Method 1: Install Node.js Using NVM (Recommended)

For developers, this is the best method because it allows you to install and switch between multiple Node.js versions.

Step 1: Update the package list

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Curl

sudo apt install curl -y

What does this command do?

sudo – Runs the command with administrator privileges.
apt – Linux Mint's package manager.
install – Installs a package.
curl – A command-line tool used to download files from the internet.
-y – Automatically answers "Yes" to installation prompts.

Step 3: Install NVM (Node Version Manager)

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.5/install.sh | bash

Replace the version number if a newer NVM version is available. This command downloads the NVM installation script and immediately executes it.

Step 4: Reload Your Shell

For Bash users:

source ~/.bashrc

For Zsh users:

source ~/.zshrc

Alternatively, you can close and reopen the terminal.

Step 5: Verify NVM Installation

nvm --version

Example output:

0.40.5

Step 6: Install the Latest LTS Version of Node.js

nvm install --lts

Step 7: Verify Node.js Installation

node -v
npm -v

Example:

v24.18.0
11.16.0

Install a Specific Version of Node.js

For example, to install Node.js 22:

nvm install 22

Use that version:

nvm use 22

Set it as the default:

nvm alias default 22

List All Installed Node.js Versions

nvm list

Example output:

Method 2: Install Node.js Using APT

Linux Mint also allows you to install Node.js directly from its repositories.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs npm

Verify:

node -v
npm -v

Pros

Very easy to install.
Good for beginners.

Cons

Usually provides an older version of Node.js.
Not suitable if you need multiple versions.

Method 3: Install Node.js Using NodeSource

Install the NodeSource repository:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -

Install Node.js:

sudo apt install nodejs

Verify:

node -v
npm -v

Pros

Provides newer versions than the default Linux Mint repository.

Cons

Doesn't manage multiple versions like NVM.

My Recommendation

As a front-end developer working with React and Next.js, I prefer using NVM because different projects often require different Node.js versions.

With NVM, switching between versions is easy:

nvm install 20
nvm install 22
nvm use 20
nvm use 22

This flexibility makes NVM the ideal choice for developers using Linux Mint.

Final Thoughts

Linux Mint does not come with Node.js preinstalled, but installing it is straightforward.

If you're a beginner, the APT method is simple and works well.

If you're a developer, especially one working with modern JavaScript frameworks, I highly recommend installing Node.js using NVM. It gives you complete control over Node.js versions and makes managing projects much easier.

Using Thunderbird on Linux Mint for Gmail and Outlook

Sunil Pradhan — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 17:40:29 +0000

After installing Linux Mint, one of the first applications I wanted was an email client that could manage both my Gmail and Outlook accounts in one place. I didn't want to keep several browser tabs open all the time, and I was looking for something free, reliable, and ad-free.

That's when I decided to try Mozilla Thunderbird.

Installing Thunderbird on Linux Mint

Thunderbird is available directly from the Linux Mint repositories.

Update your package list:

sudo apt update

Install Thunderbird:

sudo apt install thunderbird

You can launch Thunderbird from:

Menu → Internet → Thunderbird Mail

First Launch

When Thunderbird starts for the first time, it asks you to set up an email account.

You'll need:

Your email address
Your password
An internet connection

Thunderbird automatically detects the correct server settings for most providers.

Configuring Outlook

Open Thunderbird.
Click Set Up an Existing Email Account.
Enter:Your name, Outlook email address,Password
Click Continue.

Thunderbird automatically detects:

Incoming Server

Protocol: IMAP
Server: outlook.office365.com
Port: 993
SSL: SSL/TLS
Authentication: OAuth2

Outgoing Server

Server: smtp.office365.com
Port: 587
SSL: STARTTLS
Authentication: OAuth2

Click Done.

Your Outlook emails and folders will then begin synchronizing.

Configuring Gmail

- Open Thunderbird.
- Click Set Up an Existing Email Account.
- Enter: Your name,Gmail address, Gmail password
- Click Continue.

Thunderbird automatically detects:

Incoming Server

Protocol: IMAP
Server: imap.gmail.com
Port: 993
SSL: SSL/TLS
Authentication: OAuth2

Outgoing Server

Server: smtp.gmail.com
Port: 465
SSL: SSL/TLS
Authentication: OAuth2

Click Done.

A Google login page opens in your browser. Sign in and grant Thunderbird permission to access your email.

Within a few moments, your Gmail messages and folders will synchronize.

Why IMAP Matters

I highly recommend using IMAP instead of POP3.

With IMAP:

Emails stay synchronized across all devices.
Deleting an email in Thunderbird also deletes it from Gmail or Outlook.
Creating folders in Thunderbird syncs with the server.
Read and unread status remains synchronized everywhere.

To verify you're using IMAP:

Account Settings → Server Settings

You should see:

Server Type: IMAP Mail Server

My Experience Using Thunderbird

After setting everything up, I was pleasantly surprised.

One Application for Multiple Accounts

I can manage both Gmail and Outlook from a single application instead of keeping several browser tabs open.

Completely Ad-Free Interface

Thunderbird itself does not display advertisements.

This is one of the biggest advantages for me:

Outlook.com displays ads in the web interface unless you subscribe to Microsoft 365.
Gmail may show promotional categories and sponsored content.

Thunderbird simply shows your email and folders without distractions.

Better Focus and Productivity

Because everything is in one place:

Email management feels cleaner.
Searching messages is easier.
Notifications are centralized.
I can work without opening a web browser.

Offline Access

Thunderbird can keep local copies of emails, allowing me to access older messages even when I don't have an internet connection.

Folder Synchronization Works Well

Since both my accounts use IMAP:

New folders appear everywhere.
Deleted messages sync automatically.
Sent emails stay synchronized.
Changes made in Thunderbird are reflected on the web versions of Gmail and Outlook.

Final Thoughts

Thunderbird feels like a perfect companion for Linux Mint. It is lightweight, open source, free, and provides a distraction-free email experience.

If you're a Linux Mint user who manages multiple email accounts, I highly recommend giving Thunderbird a try. It has become one of the first applications I install on a new Linux system.

How to Turn On and Test Your Webcam in Linux Mint

Sunil Pradhan — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 17:13:45 +0000

One of the things new Linux Mint users often notice is that there isn't a "Camera" application in the menu after installation. This can make it seem like the webcam isn't working, but in most cases, the camera is already detected and ready to use.

Linux Mint includes drivers for most built-in and USB webcams out of the box. You simply need an application to view the camera feed.

Why Doesn't Linux Mint Include a Camera App?

Linux Mint focuses on keeping the operating system lightweight and clutter-free. Instead of installing many applications that some users may never need, it provides only the essentials and lets you install additional software when you need it.

This approach has several benefits:

Less software installed by default
More free disk space
Faster system performance
You choose the applications you actually use

Installing a Webcam Application

To turn on and test your webcam, you'll need a camera viewer application.

Option 1: Install GNOME Camera (Recommended)

The modern GNOME Camera application is the successor to Cheese and is now the preferred webcam application in the GNOME ecosystem.

It allows you to:

View your webcam feed
Take photos
Record videos
Work with modern desktop technologies

Install from Software Manager

Open Software Manager.
Search for Camera.
Select Camera – Capture pictures and videos.
Click Install.

After installation, launch Camera from the application menu.

Current Limitation

Some Linux Mint users have reported webcam freezing issues with the current version of GNOME Camera. This appears to be an application issue rather than a problem with Linux Mint or webcam drivers and is expected to improve in future releases.

If you experience freezing, you can use Cheese as a reliable alternative.

Option 2: Install Cheese (Reliable Alternative)

Although Cheese is considered a legacy application and has been replaced by GNOME Camera, it still works well on Linux Mint and remains a useful troubleshooting tool.

Cheese is useful for:

Testing whether your webcam is working
Taking quick snapshots
Recording short videos
Troubleshooting webcam issues

Install from Software Manager

Open Software Manager.
Search for Cheese.
Select Cheese – Tool to take pictures and videos from your webcam.
Click Install.

After installation, launch Cheese from the application menu.

Many Linux users still keep Cheese installed because of its simplicity and reliability.

Option 3: Install Camera (Good Alternative)
Linux Mint users can install the modern Camera application from Flathub. Developed by Frederic Laing, it provides a simple and clean interface for taking photos and recording videos using your webcam.

Features include:

Take photos and record videos
Modern and lightweight interface
Available directly from Flathub through the Software Manager
Works with both built-in and USB webcams

Install from Software Manager

Open Software Manager.
Search for Camera.
Select Camera – Capture photos and videos.
Click Install.

Verify That Linux Mint Detects Your Webcam

Open Terminal and run:

lsusb

You should see an entry similar to:

Integrated Camera
USB Camera
Chicony
SunplusIT
Realtek

You can also check for video devices:

ls /dev/video*

If you see:

/dev/video0

your webcam has been detected successfully.

Laptop Camera Not Working?

Some laptops include a hardware switch or keyboard shortcut to disable the webcam.

Look for:

Fn + F6
Fn + F8
Fn + F10
A key with a small camera icon

Try pressing the key combination to enable the webcam.

Using the Camera in a Browser

Applications such as:

Google Meet
Zoom
Microsoft Teams
Discord

also use your webcam.

If your camera works in Cheese but not in the browser, check that the website has permission to access your camera.

Final Thoughts

Linux Mint usually supports webcams without requiring additional drivers. If your webcam seems to be missing, it's often because there isn't a dedicated camera application installed.

For most users:

GNOME Camera is the modern solution and future replacement for Cheese.
Cheese remains an excellent fallback option if you encounter freezing issues.
Camera by Frederic Laing is ideal for users who need advanced webcam controls.

The good news is that, in most cases, your webcam is already working—you simply need an application to view it.

Understanding Linux Families, Distributions, and Desktop Environments

Sunil Pradhan — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 12:21:13 +0000

When I first started exploring Linux, one thing confused me the most:

Why are there so many Linux distributions?

Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, Arch, Manjaro, Debian, KDE, GNOME… the names seemed endless. It felt like every Linux user was talking about a different operating system.

The good news is that Linux is much simpler once you understand three important concepts:

Linux Families
Linux Distributions (Distros)
Desktop Environments

Let's break it down.

The Linux Stack

Think of Linux like a layered cake:

Applications
↓
Desktop Environment
↓
Linux Distribution
↓
Linux Family
↓
Linux Kernel
↓
Hardware

Each layer has a different job.

What is the Linux Kernel?

The Linux kernel is the core of every Linux operating system. It talks directly to your computer's hardware and manages things like:

Memory
CPU
Storage
Networking
Devices

Every Linux distribution uses the Linux kernel, but they package it differently and add their own software and tools on top.

What are Linux Families?

Over time, some Linux distributions became so popular that other distributions started building on top of them.

These became known as Linux families.

Most Linux distributions today belong to one of these major families:

Debian-based
Red Hat-based
Arch-based
SUSE-based
Independent distributions

1. Debian Family

One of the oldest and most beginner-friendly Linux families.

Popular distributions:

Debian
Ubuntu
Linux Mint
Pop!_OS
Zorin OS
MX Linux

Package manager:

apt

Package format:

.deb

Family tree:

Debian
└── Ubuntu
├── Linux Mint
├── Pop!_OS
└── Zorin OS

This is the family that many new Linux users start with.

2. Red Hat Family

Popular in enterprise environments and servers.

Popular distributions:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Fedora
Rocky Linux
AlmaLinux
CentOS Stream

Package manager:

dnf

Package format:

.rpm

Family tree:

Red Hat
├── Fedora
├── Rocky Linux
├── AlmaLinux
└── CentOS Stream

3. Arch Family

Designed for users who want maximum control and the latest software.

Popular distributions:

Arch Linux
Manjaro
EndeavourOS
Garuda Linux

Package manager:

pacman

Family tree:

Arch Linux
├── Manjaro
├── EndeavourOS
└── Garuda Linux

4. SUSE Family

Known for stability and powerful administration tools.

Popular distributions:

openSUSE Leap
openSUSE Tumbleweed

Package manager:

zypper

Family tree:

SUSE
└── openSUSE
├── Leap
└── Tumbleweed

5. Independent Distributions

Some distributions are not based on any major family.

Examples:

Gentoo
Slackware
Alpine Linux
NixOS

These distributions follow their own philosophy and package management systems.

What is a Desktop Environment?

A desktop environment controls everything you see on the screen:

Start menu
Taskbar
File manager
System settings
Notifications
Window appearance

In simple terms, it is the look and feel of Linux.

Popular Desktop Environments

GNOME

Modern design
Simple interface
Default desktop for Ubuntu and Fedora

KDE Plasma

Highly customizable
Beautiful and feature-rich
Similar to Windows in layout

Cinnamon

Traditional desktop experience
Easy for Windows users
Default desktop of Linux Mint

XFCE

Lightweight and fast
Excellent for older computers

MATE

Traditional interface
Lightweight and stable

LXQt

Extremely lightweight
Designed for low-end hardware

How Desktop Environments and Linux Families Connect

This is where many beginners get confused.

Desktop environments are independent of Linux families.

You can use the same desktop environment on different distributions.

Examples:

Ubuntu + GNOME
Ubuntu + KDE Plasma
Ubuntu + XFCEFedora + GNOME
Fedora + KDE Plasma
Fedora + XFCEArch + GNOME
Arch + KDE Plasma
Arch + Cinnamon

The family does not decide the desktop environment. The user or the distribution maintainers choose it.

Putting Everything Together

Linux Kernel
↓
Linux Family
↓
Distribution
↓
Desktop Environment
↓
Applications

Example:

Linux Kernel
↓
Debian Family
↓
Ubuntu
↓
Linux Mint
↓
Cinnamon Desktop
↓
Applications

Another example:

Linux Kernel
↓
Red Hat Family
↓
Fedora
↓
GNOME Desktop
↓
Applications

And another:

Linux Kernel
↓
Arch Family
↓
Manjaro
↓
KDE Plasma
↓
Applications

Final Thoughts

The Linux world may look complicated at first because there are hundreds of distributions and many desktop environments.

But once you understand the relationship, everything becomes much easier:

Linux Kernel = The engine.
Linux Family = The foundation.
Distribution = The complete operating system.
Desktop Environment = The look and feel.

Understanding these four layers makes navigating the Linux ecosystem much less confusing and helps you choose the right distribution for your needs.