# Install Companion on Linux (https://www.getfounderhq.com/docs/companion/install-on-linux)

Install Companion on a Linux desktop and pair it with your FounderHQ
account. About 2 minutes.

<Callout title="Before you start">
  You need a 64-bit Intel/AMD or ARM computer with a desktop, `curl`, and a
  FounderHQ account. For a machine with no screen, see
  [a server with Docker](/companion/run-on-a-server-with-docker) or
  [a server without Docker](/companion/run-on-a-server-without-docker).
</Callout>

## Install

1. Open a terminal and run the install command.

   ```bash
   curl -fsSL https://www.getfounderhq.com/downloads/companion/install.sh | sh
   ```

   The command picks the package for your computer:

   - **Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, Pop!_OS:** it installs a `.deb` and asks for
     your password.
   - **Fedora, Arch, openSUSE, and others:** it installs an AppImage for
     your user only. It does not ask for a password.
2. Open **FounderHQ Companion** from your apps menu.
3. Companion opens a window, and then a page in your browser. Confirm the
   code on that page to finish the pairing.

## Verify

Companion's icon is in your system tray. On a desktop that shows no tray,
such as GNOME without an extension, Companion shows a small status window
in its place.

In FounderHQ, open [Settings → Companion Apps](https://app.getfounderhq.com/?openSettings=companion). Your computer is
in the list and shows **Active now**.

## Update

- **AppImage:** Companion updates itself.
- **`.deb`:** Companion tells you when a new version is available. Run the
  install command again.

## Remove

Unpair the computer first: in FounderHQ, open [Settings → Companion Apps](https://app.getfounderhq.com/?openSettings=companion), and unpair it.

If you installed the `.deb`:

```bash
sudo apt-get remove founderhq-companion
```

If you installed the AppImage:

```bash
rm -f ~/.local/bin/founderhq-companion \
  ~/.local/share/applications/founderhq-companion.desktop \
  ~/.config/autostart/founderhq-companion.desktop
```

Companion keeps its pairing and the caption model in
`~/.config/FounderHQ Companion`. Delete that folder to remove them too.

## Troubleshoot

### "AppImages need FUSE 2, which this system does not have"

An AppImage needs FUSE 2 to start. Recent Ubuntu does not install it.
Install it:

```bash
sudo apt install libfuse2t64
```

On an older Ubuntu the package is `libfuse2`. On Fedora it is
`sudo dnf install fuse-libs`.

You can also start Companion without FUSE:

```bash
~/.local/bin/founderhq-companion --appimage-extract-and-run
```

### "FounderHQ Companion can't use this computer's keyring"

Companion keeps its pairing in your desktop's keyring (GNOME Keyring or
KWallet). The keyring is locked or not running. Unlock it, then open
Companion again.

If your desktop has no keyring at all, start Companion with this option. It
keeps the pairing in a file that only your user can read.

```bash
founderhq-companion --password-store=basic
```

With the AppImage, the command is `~/.local/bin/founderhq-companion`.

### "there is no FounderHQ Companion build for this computer yet"

No build is published for your kind of computer yet. Try the other
package by naming it at the end of the install command:

```bash
curl -fsSL https://www.getfounderhq.com/downloads/companion/install.sh | sh -s -- --appimage
```

Use `--deb` in the same place to insist on the `.deb` package.

### "FounderHQ Companion supports 64-bit Intel/AMD and ARM computers"

Your computer has a processor Companion does not support. It does not run
on 32-bit computers or on Alpine Linux.