This is a guide on how to install Turtl on Linux, aimed at complete beginners. If you ever don’t know how to perform a certain step, just do an internet search (for example “linux how to open terminal”). This guide was performed on pop!_OS, which is a Ubuntu-based operating system.
Step 1: Download the file.
Go to https://turtlapp.com/download/ and select the file suitable for you, either Linux x64 or Linux x32. Most modern computers use Linux x64 but if you don’t know what your computer is, you can do an internet search for “linux how to know if x64 or x32”.
Step 2: Extract the file.
The file is compressed into a .tar.bz2 format. This makes the file easier to handle for computers. You can imagine this being like packing your belongings in a suitcase, and in order for us to get to the belongings we have to unpack the suitcase.
Right-click on your file and press “Extract to” or “Extract here”.
If these options are not available you can extract them using the terminal. Open your terminal and type the following based on where the file is and where you want it to go. Remember to replace “username” and “filename” with your username and filename of your downloaded file. If the file is in your Downloads folder, and you want to extract it to your Downloads folder, type:
tar -xf /home/USERNAME/Downloads/FILENAME.tar.bz2 -C /home/USERNAME/Downloads
Double check that a folder was created where you specified it to go.
Step 3: Install
Installation is done via two steps. First we prepare the file for an install, and then we actually install it. The installation file is found in the folder you just extracted, it’s called “install.sh”. These steps can be done in the terminal. The path to the file depends on where you extracted it and if it’s a 64 or 32 version. If you have the 64 version and extracted it in your Downloads folder, type:
chmod a+x /home/USERNAME/Downloads/turtl-linux64/install.sh
To install it, type:
sudo /home/USERNAME/Downloads/turtl-linux64/install.sh
Turtl is now installed, but might not be working. Try launching the application. This is done the same way as opening any other program in your Linux version. If nothing happens when trying to open Turtl, see the next step.
Step 4: Install dependencies
Turtl relies on certain stuff being installed on your computer in order for it to run. Installing this extra stuff is very simple. Open your terminal and type:
sudo apt install gconf2
After this is complete, try launching Turtl again. Hopefully the application will start.
If the application still doesn’t start, I recommend asking the Turtl forum for help at
https://community.turtlapp.com/