# Export a Linux package > Prepare and retrieve the Linux package of your PandaSuite application for distribution on Linux computers in DEB, RPM, or Arch Linux format. https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/export-a-linux-package/ **The Linux export is the final step before distributing your desktop application on Linux computers or dedicated Linux terminals.** You will: 1. Choose the package format that matches the target Linux distribution. 2. Configure the application name, icon, package metadata, offline packaging, and version information. 3. Generate a Linux package from your PandaSuite dashboard and validate it on a representative Linux device. Once the package is generated, you can download it from your PandaSuite dashboard. > **Success** > > Desktop export is available on **Single**, **Multi**, **Full**, or **Ultra** plans. ## What is a Linux package? A Linux package is the native installation package used to distribute an application on Linux computers. PandaSuite lets you generate a package in **DEB**, **RPM**, or **Arch Linux** format depending on the Linux distribution family you target. > **Info** > > Use the Linux export when you want to distribute your PandaSuite application > outside the browser on Linux desktops, kiosk devices, or managed Linux > environments. ## Prerequisites - Desktop export is available on **Single**, **Multi**, **Full**, or **Ultra** plans. - Your project content is finalized and published. - You know which Linux distribution family you need to support. - Plan a validation pass on at least one representative Linux device before wider distribution. - If you need a fully offline installation package, plan to enable **Asset management (offline)** during export. This option requires a **Yearly** or **One-Time Payment** plan and is available only if your application contains **a single project**. ## Package format and device compatibility | Item | Details | | ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Minimum supported version** | Ubuntu 18.04, Debian 10, Fedora 32, or later | | **Supported devices** | Linux desktop computers, kiosk devices, or managed Linux terminals | | **Package formats** | **DEB**, **RPM**, or **Arch Linux** depending on the target Linux distribution | | **Architecture** | Linux packages generated from the dashboard are built for **x64 (64-bit)** devices | | **Installation** | The generated package is installed directly on the target Linux machine | | **Offline distribution** | Available through **Asset management (offline)** when the app contains a single project | Important points before distribution: - Choose the package format that matches the Linux distribution family used on your target devices. - Validate the package on Linux hardware representative of the devices you plan to use. - If you distribute the same project on Windows, macOS, and Linux, generate **one package per operating system**. On Linux, generate **one export per target package format** when needed. - If you enable **Asset management (offline)**, the package includes all assets for offline installation. Any content update then requires exporting and reinstalling a new Linux package. - Any code or feature update requires exporting and redistributing a new Linux package. ## Export the Linux package ### Access the dashboard 1. Log in to your [PandaSuite dashboard](https://pandasuite.com/dashboard/publish). 2. In **Apps**, create or select the relevant application. 3. In **Platforms**, find the **Desktop** card. 4. Click **Generate** next to **Linux**. [Image: Desktop card of the Platforms section: the Generate button of Linux is framed] ### Review the export form [Image: Prepare Your Linux Package form: icon and name, then the framed Package format choices DEB, RPM and Arch Linux] Before launching the generation, confirm the key information shown in the form: | Field | Description | | ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Icon** | The icon displayed for the application after installation on Linux. Use the final branded icon you want users to recognize in launchers, menus, or desktop shortcuts. | | **Name** | The application name shown to Linux users. This is the visible name during installation and later in the system interface. | | **Package format** | Choose the package family expected by the target Linux distribution: **DEB**, **RPM**, or **Arch Linux**. Export one package per target format if you support multiple Linux environments. | | **Publisher** | The publisher or developer name shown in Linux package details. | | **Short description** | A short text shown in Linux package details and software centers. | | **Website** | The developer website URL shown in Linux package details. Use a valid `http://` or `https://` URL. | | **License** | The license metadata included in the package. Available choices are **Proprietary**, **MIT**, **Apache 2.0**, **GPL 3.0 or later**, or **Other**. | | **Asset management (offline)** | Bundles all assets inside the Linux package for a fully offline installation flow. This is useful for disconnected environments, but any later content update then requires exporting and reinstalling a new Linux package. Requires a **Yearly** or **One-Time Payment** plan and is available only if the application contains **a single project**. | | **Loading screen** | Uses the loading screen configured in your app settings when **Asset management (offline)** is disabled. Review the icon and background color there if you want a more polished startup experience on Linux. | | **Launch method** | Lets you enable **Kiosk mode** for a full-screen startup experience. It also adds a **Kiosk** admin menu, reached with keyboard shortcuts, and a kiosk session that runs the app alone at login: see [Kiosk Mode on Linux](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/kiosk-mode-for-linux/). Use it for dedicated devices only, and validate the behavior on the target Linux environment before wide deployment. | | **Version Number and Build** | We recommend starting with `1.0.0` and `1`, then incrementing both with each release. The version is the visible release number, while the build helps distinguish technical revisions of the same app. | > **Tip** > > Review the **Package format**, **Publisher**, **Short description**, > **Website**, **License**, **Asset management (offline)**, and **Version > Number and Build** carefully before validating. These fields most directly > affect package metadata, compatibility, update workflows, and installation > constraints on Linux devices. ### Start the generation Click **Export**. The process takes place on our servers and can last **from a few minutes to several hours** depending on the load. You will receive: - A confirmation email; - The download link on the **Desktop** card of your app page. > **Note** > > If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or return to the > **Desktop** card of your app page to monitor the generation > status. Contact [support](https://pandasuite.com/contact) if needed. ## Validate the Linux package before wider rollout Before distributing the package broadly, perform a short validation pass on at least one representative Linux machine: - download the generated package from the dashboard; - install it on a target Linux device that matches the selected package format; - launch the application at least once; - verify full-screen behavior if **Kiosk mode** is enabled; - confirm the displayed name, icon, version, and package metadata are correct. > **Success: What's next?** > > Download the generated package, test it on the target Linux environment, then > share the correct package with your users or IT team. For the installation > flow, follow [Install your Linux > package](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/install-your-linux-package/). For > fully disconnected environments, see [Standalone Linux package for offline > installation](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/standalone-linux-package-for-offline-installation/). > If you also distribute on other desktop operating systems, see [Export an > EXE File](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/export-an-exe-file/) for Windows > and [Export a DMG file](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/export-a-dmg-file/) > for macOS. ## FAQ **Which package format should I choose between DEB, RPM, and Arch Linux?** Choose the format that matches the Linux distribution family used on the target devices: **DEB** for Debian or Ubuntu-based environments, **RPM** for Fedora, RHEL, or similar environments, and **Arch Linux** for Arch-based environments. **Can my Linux app work fully offline?**\ Yes, with **Asset management (offline)**, which embeds the published project in the package. It is available only if your application contains a single project. External websites, streamed media, remote data, and the Linux libraries the package needs are not embedded: see [Standalone Linux package for offline installation](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/standalone-linux-package-for-offline-installation/). Updates then require exporting and reinstalling a new Linux package. **Do I need to export a new Linux package after an update?**\ Yes. Any code or feature update requires generating and redistributing a new Linux package. If the app is exported in offline mode, you must also reinstall the updated package on the target devices. **Can I use the same PandaSuite app for Windows, macOS, and Linux?**\ Yes. You can generate separate desktop packages from the same app page, but you must export one file or package per operating system. On Linux, you may also need distinct exports for different package formats. ## Additional resources - [Publish and export your project](https://docs.pandasuite.com/getting-started/publish-and-export-your-project/) - [Install your Linux package](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/install-your-linux-package/) - [Standalone Linux package for offline installation](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/standalone-linux-package-for-offline-installation/) - [Export an EXE File](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/export-an-exe-file/) - [Export a DMG file](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/export-a-dmg-file/) - [Update your application](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/content-management/update-your-application/)