A Linux machine

Set up Ubuntu, Debian or Fedora with zc-workstation: apt or dnf packages, dotfiles, runtimes, systemd user units and GNOME settings.

.md

zc-workstation runs the same way on Linux as on macOS: one config, a plan, an apply. The packages come from apt or dnf, background jobs are systemd user units, and GNOME settings are gsettings keys. CI applies a config in fresh Ubuntu 24.04 and Fedora 42 containers before each release, then checks that nothing is left and doctor passes.

Before the first plan

Install what zc-workstation drives. On a fresh install with no package lists yet, apply runs sudo apt-get update before the first apt install.

Ubuntu and Debian
Fedora

$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install -y curl git
$ sh -c "$(curl -fsLS get.chezmoi.io)" -- -b ~/.local/bin
$ curl https://mise.run | sh

$ sudo dnf install -y chezmoi git
$ curl https://mise.run | sh

Install zc-workstation from the release’s .deb or .rpm, or with go install, as Getting started shows.

A config for Linux

Give each Linux-only target os: [linux], so the same config also drives your Mac. Targets without os, such as dotfiles and runtimes, run everywhere.

version: 1
targets:
  - name: apt
    provider: packages
    os: [linux]
    manager: apt            # or dnf on Fedora
    file: apt.txt
  - name: home
    provider: dotfiles
    source: home
  - name: runtimes
    provider: tools
    file: mise.toml
  - name: jobs
    provider: services
    os: [linux]
    agents: [~/.config/systemd/user/backup.timer]
  - name: gnome
    provider: settings
    os: [linux]
    gsettings:
      org.gnome.desktop.interface:
        color-scheme: prefer-dark
  - name: keys
    provider: keyboard
    os: [linux]
    file: keyd.conf

apt.txt and dnf.txt hold one package per line, as the manager names them. zc-workstation capture -target apt writes the file from what the machine has.

Packages install with sudo apt-get install -y or sudo dnf install -y. They run attached to your terminal, so sudo asks for your password.
Services enables each unit with systemctl --user enable --now after a daemon-reload. Write the unit files with the dotfiles target, which comes first.
Settings writes each key with gsettings set. GNOME applies it at once. A light theme is color-scheme: prefer-light with gtk-theme: Adwaita.
Keyboard installs a keyd config with sudo and enables keyd. Start from assets/keyd/default.conf: Caps Lock is Escape on tap, Hyper on hold.

Providers has every key for each provider.

Plan, apply, check

$ zc-workstation plan -out plan.json
$ zc-workstation apply plan.json
$ zc-workstation doctor

doctor lists each program a target needs, so a missing dnf on an Ubuntu machine shows as a failing check: keep one packages target per manager, or give each its own config.

Not on Linux yet

The desktop provider (wallpaper, screen saver, accent colour) and the defaults keys of settings are macOS only. ZCBar and ZC Care are macOS apps. The roadmap tracks what comes next.

Edit this page Last updated October 16, 2026