Ditch the Terminal: How to Get a Beginner-Friendly App Store on Linux (KDE Discover)
For many Linux users, software management still evokes associations with console commands, tangled dependency chains, and the constant need to know exactly what to install. Even beginner-friendly distributions like Raspberry Pi OS do not entirely spare users from frequent visits to the terminal. Yet Linux, too, offers tools that simplify the installation and updating of applications — much like mobile app stores do. One such tool is Discover, a graphical utility from the KDE suite designed with newcomers in mind.
Although Discover is most commonly found in KDE-based environments, it can also be installed on other distributions, including Raspberry Pi OS, which is based on Debian. To begin, refresh the package list with the command sudo apt update, then install Discover via sudo apt install plasma-discover. The download is fairly substantial — about 470 MB — as it includes several KDE dependencies required for proper functionality. Once the installation is complete, a system reboot is recommended to activate all store features, including the display of newly available applications.
The Discover interface is divided into three main sections. The first is the navigation panel, where users can switch between installed applications, available updates, the home page, and settings. The second is a category panel, organizing software into groups such as Graphics, Audio, Internet, and more. The third is the main workspace, where users can install, remove, update, or review detailed information about each program.
Installing an application through Discover is remarkably straightforward. Simply open the desired category, select the program — for instance, Krita — and click the Install button. The system will then prompt for a password, automatically download the necessary files, and complete the installation. The newly installed application can be launched either directly from Discover or from the standard application menu.
Uninstallation is equally intuitive: a trash bin icon appears beside each installed program. Clicking it removes the application from the system. However, it is advisable to confirm that no shared dependencies will be affected, particularly on systems where multiple packages rely on common libraries.
To update installed applications, simply open the Updates tab and click Update All. Discover will first check for available versions and then offer to install them with a single click, eliminating the need to manually run apt upgrade or track changes in the terminal.
While Discover may not appeal to experienced users accustomed to APT, RPM, or building from source, it serves as an ideal introduction for beginners seeking to understand the logic of Linux package management in a familiar, visual format — free from the intimidation of command lines and terminal syntax.
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