Void Linux + GNOME = 🤎 ️ ️

Quick Links

• Installation
• Network configuration - Part 1 (wpa_supplicant)
• Update the System
• Add non-free repository
• Install recommended packages
• Install development packages
• Desktop environment (GNOME)
• Enable required services
• Network configuration - Part 2 (Network Manager)
• Audio configuration (PulseAudio)
• Bluetooth configuration (BlueZ)
• Printing support configuration
• Cron configuration (cronie)
• Notebook Power Saving configuration
• Fonts installation
• Office suite (LibreOffice)
• Internet browser installation (Firefox)
• Media player (VLC)
• Backup software (Timeshift)
• Logging Daemon activation
• Profile Sync Daemon (PSD)
• Bash aliases

Optional

• Tilix (tiling terminal)
• Fzf (fuzzy finder)
• Zoxide (smarter cd command)
• Bat (cat clone with wings)
• Ripgrep (grep alternative)
• Exa (modern replacement for ‘ls’)
• Dust (intuitive version of du)
• Lazygit (git tui)
• Neovim + AstroNvim
• OctoXBPS (xbps frontend)
• VSV (Void Service Manager)
• Docker
• Flatpak
• Nix package manager
• Alternative Browser (Brave)
• Dconf Editor
• Nautilus embedded terminal
• Syncthing (peer-to-peer file synchronization)
• Sushi (Quick Look)
• Intel's Microcode
• Fonts, Theme, Icons, Cursor, Extensions, Wallpaper

Installation

Void Linux installation was done following the official guide.

Network configuration - Part 1 (wpa_supplicant)

1. Check the name of our interface:
   

   ip a
   

   In my case, “wlp3s0” is the name of the Wi-Fi interface.

2. Create a configuration file to connect to Wi-Fi:
   

   sudo vi /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant-wlp3s0.conf
   

   Write these lines into the file and then save it:
   

   ctrl_interface=DIR=/run/wpa_supplicant
   update_config=1
   

3. Add the information about your wireless network to the file:
   

   wpa_passphrase SSID PASSWORD >> /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant-wlp3s0.conf
   

4. Enable dhcpd and wpa_supplicant
   

   sudo ln -s /etc/sv/dhcpcd /var/service
   
   sudo ln -s /etc/sv/wpa_supplicant /var/service
   
   sudo sv up dhcpcd
   
   sudo sv up wpa_supplicant
   

5. Run this last command:
   

   wpa_supplicant -B -i wlp1s0 -c /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant-wlp3s0.conf
   

6. To check your connection run:
   

   ping google.com

Update the System

sudo xbps-install -Suv

Add non-free repository

sudo xbps-install -Rs void-repo-nonfree 

Install recommended packages

sudo xbps-install curl wget git xz unzip zip nano vim gptfdisk xtools mtools mlocate ntfs-3g fuse-exfat bash-completion linux-headers gtksourceview4 ffmpeg mesa-vdpau mesa-vaapi htop

Install development packages

sudo xbps-install autoconf automake bison m4 make libtool flex meson ninja optipng sassc

Desktop environment (GNOME)

1. Install the X Window System:
   

   sudo xbps-install xorg
   

2. Install desktop environment:
   

   sudo xbps-install gnome
   

3. Install display manager
   

   sudo xbps-install gdm
   

   Enable gdm service:
   

   sudo ln -s /etc/sv/gdm /var/service
   

4. Install xdg utilites:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Rs xdg-desktop-portal xdg-desktop-portal-gtk xdg-user-dirs xdg-user-dirs-gtk xdg-utils
   

5. Install gnome-browser-connector (prevously known as chrome-gnome-shell):
   

   sudo xbps-install gnome-browser-connector
   

Enable required services

1. Install dbus:
   

   sudo xbps-install -y dbus
   

   Enable dbus service:
   

   sudo ln -s /etc/sv/dbus /var/service
   

2. Install elogind:
   

   sudo xbps-install -y elogind
   

   Enable elogind service:
   

   sudo ln -s /etc/sv/elogind /var/service
   

Network configuration - Part 2 (Network Manager)

1. Install Network Manager:
   

   sudo xbps-install NetworkManager NetworkManager-openvpn NetworkManager-openconnect NetworkManager-vpnc NetworkManager-l2tp
   

2. Enable Network Manager service:
   

   sudo ln -sv /etc/sv/NetworkManager /var/service
   

   Before enabling the NetworkManager daemon, disable any other network management services, such as dhcpcd, wpa_supplicant.

Audio configuration

• Install PulseAudio:
  

  sudo xbps-install pulseaudio pulseaudio-utils pulsemixer alsa-plugins-pulseaudio
  

  Had some issues with pipewire, maybe will give a try in the future...

Bluetooth configuration

1. Install BlueZ:
   

   sudo xbps-install bluez
   

2. Enable Bluetooth service:
   

   sudo ln -sv /etc/sv/bluetoothd /var/service
   

3. Add user to the group:
   

   sudo useradd -G bluetooth ${USER}
   

Printing support configuration

1. Install CUPS:
   

   sudo xbps-install cups cups-pk-helper cups-filters foomatic-db foomatic-db-engine
   

2. Enable CUPS service:
   

   sudo ln -sv /etc/sv/cupsd /var/service
   

3. Optional:

• Epson Printer:
  

    sudo xbps-install -Rs epson-inkjet-printer-escpr imagescan iscan-data
  

• HP Printer:
  

    sudo xbps-install -Rs hplip-gui
  

• Canon Printer:
  

    sudo xbps-install -Rs cnijfilter2
  

• Brother Printer:
  

    sudo xbps-install -Rs brother-brlaser
  
    # SANE scanner driver for brscan3-compatible Brother scanners
    sudo xbps-install brother-brscan3
    # SANE scanner driver for brscan4-compatible printers 
    sudo xbps-install brother-brscan4 
    # CUPS wrapper driver for the brother DCP-197C printer/scanner
    sudo xbps-install brother-dcp197c-cupswrapper 
    # LPR driver for the brother DCP-197C printer/scanner 
    sudo xbps-install brother-dcp197c-lpr 
  

Cron configuration

1. Install cronie:
   

   sudo xbps-install -y cronie
   

2. Enable cronie service:
   

   sudo ln -sv /etc/sv/cronie /var/service
   

Notebook Power Saving configuration

1. Install TLP and PowerTop:
   

   sudo xbps-install tlp tlp-rdw powertop
   

2. Enable TLP service:
   

   sudo ln -sv /etc/sv/tlp /var/service
   

Fonts installation

1. Install Noto fonts:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Rs noto-fonts-emoji noto-fonts-ttf noto-fonts-ttf-extra
   

2. Install microsoft fonts:
   

   git clone https://github.com/void-linux/void-packages
   cd void-packages
   ./xbps-src binary-bootstrap
   echo "XBPS_ALLOW_RESTRICTED=yes" >> etc/conf
   

   Installation:
   

   ./xbps-src pkg -f msttcorefonts
   xi msttcorefonts
   

Office suite

• Install LibreOffice:
  

  sudo xbps-install libreoffice-writer libreoffice-calc libreoffice-impress libreoffice-draw libreoffice-math libreoffice-base libreoffice-gnome libreoffice-i18n-en-US
  

Internet browser installation

1. Install Firefox:
   

   sudo xbps-install firefox firefox-i18n-en-US
   

2. Set better font for firefox:
   

   sudo ln -s /usr/share/fontconfig/conf.avail/70-no-bitmaps.conf /etc/fonts/conf.d/
   sudo xbps-reconfigure -f fontconfig
   

Media player

• Install VLC Media Player:
  

  sudo xbps-install vlc
  

Backup software

• Install Timeshift:
  

  sudo xbps-install timeshift
  

Logging Daemon activation

• By default, Void comes with no logging daemon:
  

  sudo xbps-install -Rs socklog-void
  sudo ln -s /etc/sv/socklog-unix /var/service/
  sudo ln -s /etc/sv/nanoklogd /var/service/
  

Profile Sync Daemon (PSD)

• PSD is a service that symlinks & syncs browser profile directories to RAM, thus reducing HDD/SSD calls & speeding up browsers. You can get it from here. This helps Firefox & Chromium reduce ram usage.
  

  git clone https://github.com/madand/runit-services
  cd runit-services
  sudo mv psd /etc/sv/
  sudo ln -s /etc/sv/psd /var/service/
  sudo chmod +x etc/sv/psd/*
  

Bash aliases

1. Create bash aliases:
   

   sudo nano ~/.bash_aliases
   

2. Add this script:
   

   alias xu='sudo xbps-install xbps && sudo xbps-install -Suv'
   alias xin='sudo xbps-install'
   alias xr='sudo xbps-remove -Rcon'
   alias xl='xbps-query -l'
   alias xf='xl | grep'
   alias xs='xbps-query -Rs'
   alias xd='xbps-query -x'
   alias clrk='sudo vkpurge rm all && sudo rm -rf /var/cache/xbps/*'
   alias halt='sudo halt'
   alias poweroff='sudo poweroff'
   alias reboot='sudo reboot'
   alias shutdown='sudo shutdown'
   

3. Open bash config file:
   

   sudo nano ~/.bashrc
   

4. Add this line:
   

   if [ -f ~/.bash_aliases ]; then 
       . ~/.bash_aliases;
   fi
   

5. In the end:
   

   source ~/.bashrc
   

Optional

Tilix

1. Tiling terminal emulator
   

   sudo xbps-install tilix
   

2. To use in quake mode (wayland not supported), create custom shortcut and add this command:
   

   tilix --quake
   

Fzf

• A command-line fuzzy finder
  

  git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/junegunn/fzf.git ~/.fzf
  ~/.fzf/install
  

Zoxide

1. zoxide is a smarter cd command, inspired by z and autojump:
   

   sudo xbps-install -S zoxide
   

2. Add this to your configuration (usually ~/.bashrc):
   

   eval "$(zoxide init bash)"
   

Bat

1. A cat(1) clone with wings:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Su bat
   

2. Add alias to the previously create bash_aliases file:
   

   alias cat='bat'
   

Ripgrep

1. Grep alternative:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Su ripgrep
   

2. Add alias to the previously create bash_aliases file:
   

   alias grep='rg'
   

Exa

1. A modern replacement for ‘ls’:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Su exa
   

2. Add alias to the previously create bash_aliases file:
   

   alias ls='exa --icons'
   

Dust

1. A more intuitive version of du in rust:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Su dust
   

2. Add alias to the previously create bash_aliases file:
   

   alias du='dust'
   

Lazygit

• Simple terminal UI for git commands:
  

  sudo xbps-install -Su lazygit
  

Neovim + AstroNvim

1. Install Neovim:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Su neovim
   

2. Install AstroNvim:
   

   git clone https://github.com/AstroNvim/AstroNvim ~/.config/nvim
   nvim +PackerSync
   

OctoXBPS

• XBPS front end
  

  sudo xbps-install -S octoxbps
  

VSV

• Manage and view runit services:
  

  sudo xbps-install vsv 
  

Docker

1. Install docker:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Su docker
   

2. Enable required services:
   

   sudo ln -s /etc/sv/containerd /var/service
   sudo ln -s /etc/sv/docker /var/service
   

3. Add user to group:
   

   sudo groupadd docker
   sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}
   

4. Set respective permissions:
   

   sudo chown "$USER":"$USER" /home/"$USER"/.docker -R
   sudo chmod g+rwx "$HOME/.docker" -R
   

Flatpak

1. Install Flatpak:
   

   sudo xbps-install -S flatpak
   

2. Add the Flathub repository:
   

   flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
   

3. Restart.

Nix package manager

1. Install Nix:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Sy nix
   

2. Activate Nix Daemon:
   

   sudo ln -s /etc/sv/nix-daemon /var/service/
   source /etc/profile
   

3. Add channels:
   

   # Unstable 
   nix-channel --add https://nixos.org/channels/nixpkgs-unstable unstable
   # NixOS 22.05
   nix-channel --add https://nixos.org/channels/nixos-22.05 nixpkgs
   # Update channels 
   nix-channel --update
   # List channels
   nix-channel --list 
   

4. To see installed applications in the launcher create a symlink to Nix applications directory:
   

   sudo ln -s "$HOME/.nix-profile/share/applications" "$HOME/.local/share/applications/nix-env"
   

Alternative Browser (Brave)

• Install Brave browser using nix:
  

  nix-env -iA nixpkgs.brave
  

Dconf Editor

• Applications internal settings viewer and editor:
  

  sudo xbps-install dconf-editor
  

Nautilus embedded terminal

1. Install dependencies:
   

   sudo xbps-install python3 python3-pip python3-psutil
   

2. Install Nautilus Terminal:
   

   sudo xbps-install nautilus-python
   

3. Check that the extension is properly installed:
   

   nautilus-terminal --check
   python3 -m nautilus_terminal --check
   

4. If everything is OK, the output should be:
   

   Nautilus Python: Installed
   Nautilus Terminal Extension: Installed
   

5. To edit extension configs run:
   

   dconf-editor /org/flozz/nautilus-terminal
   

Syncthing

1. Install Syncthing:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Rs syncthing 
   

2. Starting Syncthing automatically when system starts:
   

   sudo cp /usr/share/applications/syncthing-start.desktop ~/.config/autostart/
   

Gnome Sushi

1. File previewer for the GNOME desktop (macOS Quick Look):
   

   sudo xbps-install -Rs sushi 
   

Intel's Microcode

1. Install Intel's Microcode:
   

   sudo xbps-install -Rs intel-ucode 
   

2. Reconfigure your kernel, according your kernel name:
   

   sudo xbps-reconfigure -f linux<kernel_version>
   

   To find your Linux kernel version, you can use
   

   sudo xbps-query -l | grep linux
   

Fonts, Theme, Icons, Cursor, Extensions, Wallpaper

System Fonts:

• Interface Text: Inter Regular
• Document Text: Inter Regular
• Monospace Text: JetBrains Mono Regular
• Legacy Window Titles: Inter Medium

Terminal Font: ShureTechMono Nerd Font Mono Regular

Prompt Theme Engine: Oh My Posh

Theme: Fluent GTK Theme (use --icon void flag to replace Activities with Void icon)

Icons: Fluent Icon Theme (color Grey)

Cursor: Borealis Cursors

Wallpaper: VOID LINUX

Extensions:

• AppIndicator and KStatusNotifierItem Support
• Bluetooth Quick Connect
• Clipboard History or Pano - Clipboard Manager (Dependencies: sudo xbps-install libgda gsound)
• Color Picker
• Dash to Dock
• Disconnect Wifi
• Easy Docker Containers
• Espresso
• Frippery Move Clock
• Mute/Unmute
• No Overview at Startup
• Notification Banner Position
• Printers
• Resource Monitor
• Sound Output Device Chooser
• Status Area Horizontal Spacing
• Syncthing Icon
• Tiling Assistant
• Toggle Night Light
• Top Panel Workspace Scroll
• Transparent Window Moving
• Tweaks & Extensions in System Menu
• User Themes
• Window Is Ready - Notification Remover

Comments

[ADe]

Created account just to like this. Thank you for this guide!

[Alex Lohr]

I love VoidLinux, but prefer xfce. One thing that for me worth mentioning is the void-packages repository on GitHub that allows you to comfortably create your own packages in a secure, simple and repeatable way. This makes VoidLinux as hackable as Gentoo, without breaking the comfort of binary packages and the freshness of a rolling releases distro.

Also, you might find some of the packages in pull requests of that repo that are otherwise unavailable. I myself have a PR for lapce open, a fast rust-based IDE in early development, though mostly usable.

[Karen Sargsyan]

I also prefer xfce as de just was curious how void will go with gnome.
Maybe I will add void-packages part later to the article thanks for the suggestion.

[greentip]

Joined just to thank you for this effort. Works like a charm. Void + Gnome = Woohoo

Edit: for anybody wanting this to work on a Raspberry Pi (mine is an rpi 4b) and using only the mesa drivers (for wayland), uncomment/add dtoverlay=vc4-kms-v3d in /boot/config.txt

It runs every bit as well as the native RPi OS and is Void + Gnome!

[Debajyati Dey]

Thank you so much for this guide!
I also love void linux!
But I prefer xfce.
WhatEver, Ton of InForMation, Thank you and a bigg thumbs up!

[Sasha]

This post is essential to all people installing Gnome on Void Linux. Super easy to follow and perfectly divided per sections