KStars for Linux

What is Flatpak?

Flatpak is a modern packaging and distribution system for Linux applications. It allows developers to bundle an app with all its dependencies into a single, portable package that runs consistently across different Linux distributions. In other words, the same Flatpak version of KStars will run on Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, openSUSE, and many other systems — without modification.

How is Flatpak Different from Normal Packages?

Traditional Linux packages (like .deb or .rpm) rely on the host system’s libraries and configurations. This often leads to compatibility issues between distributions or when a required library is missing or outdated. Flatpak solves this by:

• Bundling dependencies with the app (ensuring version consistency).
• Running in a sandbox for better security and isolation.
• Receiving updates independently of the operating system.
• Working across all major Linux distributions.

However, it also means Flatpak apps are slightly larger in size and may have limited access to some system files unless permissions are granted.

Flatpak Variants of KStars

There are currently two main builds:

Stable Release (Flathub)

Package: org.kde.kstars//stable Maintained and published by KDE on Flathub. Released every two months. Ideal for most users who want reliability and regular updates.

Master (Development) Build (KDE Nightly)

Package: org.kde.kstars//master Built directly from KStars’ master branch. Released on a nightly basis. Includes the latest features and fixes, but may be unstable or experimental.

Both can be installed side-by-side without conflict. You can test new features in the master build while keeping the stable version for everyday use.

Installation

To install KStars using Flatpak:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ikarustechnologies/indi-firmware/main/kstars.sh
bash kstars.sh

By default, it will install the stable version. To install the latest nightly version, run:

bash kstars.sh nightly

The script will guide you through the installation process. You may be prompted for your password for sudo commands.

Update

The script above also updates the app in case you already have it. To manually update, use the command below:

flatpak update org.kde.kstars

Flatpak Permissions

The KStars Flatpak includes a broad set of permissions to ensure full hardware and system integration while maintaining security:

• Access to Documents, Pictures, and Videos for saving and loading files.
• Access to ~/.indi for telescope and equipment profiles.
• Access to network, audio, and both X11/Wayland display systems.
• All devices are exposed for astronomical camera and mount communication.
• The environment variable GSCDAT points to the Guide Star Catalog data.

Migrating Existing KStars Settings

If you used a system-installed version of KStars before (via apt, dnf, etc.), you can copy your settings into the Flatpak environment:

cp -r ~/.config/kstarsrc ~/.var/app/org.kde.kstars/config/
cp -r ~/.local/share/kstars ~/.var/app/org.kde.kstars/data/

After copying, launch KStars (Flatpak version). Your existing settings, observatory locations, and INDI profiles will be preserved.