How to install VScode without flatpak so I can install dependencies and such?

Hi, there are some dependencies and tools I need for VScode and it says the Flatpak version is not an official package.

So I want to install VScode + dependencies in another way yet still have it work like a regular installed app (be available for open with etc).

Can someone please help?

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:11 PM

it says the Flatpak version is not an official package

Many flatpaks are not

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:11 PM

they are repacked by the flatpak maintainer to be usable as a flatpak

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:13 PM

okay it confused me cause I got a new TXT file auto open when installed the flatpak version and also the logo was different (vscode logo inside a gray square box vs the regular non boxed logo I'm used to)

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:13 PM

in addition it did say in the txt file I can install things via the flatpak but I am not sure if that installs them for all flatpak apps or just the individual per-app like for VScode only

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:14 PM

I also found mentions somewhere for other options like toolbox or distrobox

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:14 PM

and as someone trying to switch over to linux from Win it's a bit confusing for the time being

GGameRetro in addition it did say in the txt file I can install things via the flatpak but ...

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:18 PM

this one depends on how the dependency is packaged. for example, if you were to want to install gamescope as a flatpak, you get these options:

Option 2 is for the Steam flatpak, while 1, 3 and 4 are available to other apps, such as Heroic

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:19 PM

Okay I found this guide for Fedora Silverblue which is also an atomic distro

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:19 PM

https://gist.github.com/lbssousa/bb081e35d483520928033b2797133d5e

Gist

VSCode + Dev Containers and Toolbx/Distrobox setup for Fedora Silve...

VSCode + Dev Containers and Toolbx/Distrobox setup for Fedora Silverblue - Instructions.md

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:19 PM

and used the rpm-ostree command to install code

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:19 PM

you don't really need to layer it in

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:20 PM

i just need to install stuff like node and add some libraries in root dirs so that vscode picks them up for autocomplete really

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:20 PM

the preferred order of doing things are: flatpak, appimage or distrobox, then layering

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:20 PM

ah I see...

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:20 PM

well in any case vscode is one of the core apps in my daily life so I am sure it's not that bad

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:20 PM

it's a well maintained text editor

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:21 PM

I would start with the flatpak until you find that it is deficient

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:23 PM

I undrestand, and I am new to all of this (atomic distros and such) so please bear with me ^_^

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:23 PM

I am satisfied with it being layered but I do wanna learn

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:23 PM

and aggreed I prefer flatpacks for apps in general since I like the whole concept from what I've read

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:24 PM

but for this work related app I just want it to work as needed and autocomplete for me is vital

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:24 PM

you're new, which is why I'm suggesting to avoid layering until the other methods are found to be deficient

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:24 PM

Also I do not wanna forget to thank you for taking the time to enlighten me!

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:25 PM

So one thing I've noticed with flatpacks was that access to printers and such can be tricky sometimes but I found a way to sort that out with permissions.

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:26 PM

Another that i've yet to sort out but is a thing that deters me for using it for vscode is for example for bitwarden the "start on login in system tray" just doesn't work.

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:26 PM

for steam it works flawlessly

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:26 PM

just sharing

GGameRetro for steam it works flawlessly

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:27 PM

you're not using Steam as a flatpak

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:27 PM

I am not? So steam is layered in in bazzite?

GGameRetro Another that i've yet to sort out but is a thing that deters me for using it for...

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:27 PM

flatpaks are semi-sandboxed, so they might not be able to access system settings like that. you can always add startup shortcuts as needed

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:27 PM

Hmm, I assumed it's a flatpack sorry

GGameRetro I am not? So steam is layered in in bazzite?

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:28 PM

it's rolled into the main packages. it's a step above layered as you cannot remove it

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:28 PM

or rather, shouldn't

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:28 PM

I see! Good to know! So in order to have a flatpak auto-start with login I need to add the command or shortcut to the startup apps list?

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:28 PM

yes, if it cannot do it itself, you can add it in

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:28 PM

Yeah for sure I do play and work on the same machine (work from home) so that's why I went bazitte over aurora

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:28 PM

since I figured it's easier to setup vscode than steam and drivers haha

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:29 PM

Agan have to stress I am so grateful you are teaching me all these things!

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:30 PM

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:31 PM

there's probably a straightforward way to make the flatpak vscode work with node22 as there is a flatpak extension for node

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:31 PM

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:31 PM

yeah but there was another issue

jinli mei•2/4/25, 4:31 PM

VSCode for Linux also gets distributed via .tar.gz, so you could just unpackage it in a random folder and voila, you has a VSCode install. Though given all the information above, it might be easier to stick with flatpak

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:31 PM

access to keyring for encrypting

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:32 PM

that's the other error it showed with flatpak

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:32 PM

so honestly I am very happy with this silverblue guide that had the layered install guide

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:32 PM

and I promise i'll stick to flatpacks for everything else

termdisc•2/4/25, 4:33 PM

distrobox would be a better choice than layering because then you can install all the dependencies you need in the container

GameRetroOP•2/4/25, 4:34 PM

would I then need to add a .desktop file in applications dir so that I have a way to pin the app to taskbar and such?