3 Simple Methods to Install Joplin on Ubuntu

This tutorial will guide you through step by step instructions to install Joplin on Ubuntu, covering different installation methods (official script, Snap, Flatpak), launching the app, customizing settings, syncing with cloud services, using external editors, managing encryption, and uninstalling Joplin.

Joplin is a versatile open-source application designed for note-taking and managing to-do lists. Renowned for its user-friendly interface, Joplin supports a variety of platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It offers a range of features like organizing notes into notebooks, synchronization across devices, markdown support, and encryption for data security, making it a comprehensive tool for personal and professional use.

 

1. Install Joplin On Ubuntu using Official Script

The official script provided by the Joplin developers is a convenient way to install Joplin directly from the source.

 

1.1 Update System Packages

This step ensures that your system's package list is up-to-date. It's crucial for maintaining system stability and ensuring compatibility with new software installations. Execute following apt command with sudo privilege:

sudo apt update

 

1.2 Download and Run the Installation Script

This command fetches the installation script directly from Joplin's GitHub repository using wget and executes it. The script automates the process of downloading and installing Joplin, making it a hassle-free method for users.

wget -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/laurent22/joplin/dev/Joplin_install_and_update.sh | bash

If this command fails due to below error then you can go ahead an install this package using apt command:

Error: Can't get libfuse2 on system, please install libfuse2

To install libfuse2 package:

sudo apt install libfuse2

Next re-execute the wget command and verify the final outcome:

Now Joplin is successfully installed on your Ubuntu Server and is ready to be used.

 

1.3 Launch Joplin

You can now launch Joplin by searching from start menu:

 

2. Installation via Snap

Snap, developed by Canonical, offers a sandboxed environment for applications, ensuring a secure and isolated setup.

 

2.1 Install Snap Package Manager

This command installs Snap, a package management and deployment system that simplifies software installation. It’s particularly useful for systems that aim to maintain a clean and isolated environment for different applications.

sudo apt install snapd

 

2.2 Install Joplin Using Snap

Here, Joplin is installed using Snap's package manager. The package joplin-desktop refers to a Snap package maintained by a community contributor, ensuring regular updates and compatibility.

sudo snap install joplin-desktop

Alternatively you can also choose to install joplin-james-carroll which is maintained by a community contributor, James Carroll. Although it is possible that it may not be available on the stable channel, offering versions from candidate, beta, or edge channels.

sudo snap install --candidate joplin-james-carroll

 

2.3 Launch Joplin

Opening the Joblin desktop by using command: joplin-desktop

This will open the Joplin window:

 

3. Installation via Flatpak

Flatpak is another popular software deployment and package management system, focusing on providing a universal installation experience across various Linux distributions.

 

3.1 Install Flatpak

This command installs Flatpak on your Ubuntu system. Flatpak is known for its cross-distribution framework, which allows users to install applications irrespective of their specific Linux distribution.

sudo apt install flatpak

 

3.2 Add the Flathub Repository

Flathub is a large repository for Flatpak apps. This command adds the Flathub repository to your system, granting access to a wide range of applications, including Joplin.

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

 

3.3 Install Joplin Using Flatpak

This command installs Joplin from the Flathub repository. The -y flag is used to automatically confirm prompts during the installation process, streamlining the procedure.

sudo flatpak install flathub net.cozic.joplin_desktop -y

 

3.4 Launch Joplin

Execute the command flatpak run net.cozic.joplin_desktop from the GUI:

This will launch the Joplin window:

 

2. Joplin Interface Overview

Joplin's user interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, catering to both casual users and those who need a robust organizational system. Here's a detailed overview:

2.1 Sidebar (Notebooks List)

• Location and Purpose: On the left side of the interface, the sidebar lists all your notebooks, which are like folders or categories for your notes.
• Navigation and Usage:
  • Creating Notebooks: To create a new notebook, click the 'New notebook' button (usually represented by a folder icon with a plus sign).
  • Organizing Notebooks: You can drag and drop notebooks to reorder them or create sub-notebooks by dragging one notebook into another.
  • Selecting a Notebook: Click on a notebook to view the notes it contains in the middle pane.

2.2 Note List

• Location and Purpose: The middle pane of the interface shows a list of all the notes within the selected notebook.
• Navigation and Usage:
  • Viewing Notes: Simply click on a note in the list to view its content in the rightmost pane (Note Editor/Viewer).
  • Creating Notes: Use the 'New note' button (often represented by a plus icon) to add a new note to the selected notebook.
  • Sorting and Searching: Notes can be sorted by title, date updated, or date created. You can also use the search bar within this pane to quickly find specific notes.

2.3 Note Editor/Viewer

• Location and Purpose: The rightmost pane is where you can view, create, and edit notes.
• Navigation and Usage:
  • Editing a Note: Click on a note from the middle pane, and it will open in the editor. Here, you can write and format your note. If you are using Markdown, you’ll see the raw Markdown text.
  • Viewing a Note: For Markdown notes, you can switch to the viewer mode to see the rendered content, which shows the note as it would appear with all the formatting applied.
  • Switching Between Editor and Viewer: You can toggle between the editor and viewer (if using Markdown) by clicking the layout switch icon, usually found at the top right of the note pane.

2.4 Toolbar and Menus

• Location and Purpose: The toolbar typically sits at the top of the Joplin window and contains various menu options and shortcut icons.
• Navigation and Usage:
  • Accessing Tools and Options: From the toolbar, you can access Joplin's settings, synchronization options, and other tools.
  • Quick Actions: Shortcut icons for actions like creating a new note, synchronizing, or searching can also be found on the toolbar.

2.5 To-Do Lists

• Creating To-Dos: In addition to notes, you can create to-do items in Joplin. These can be created just like notes, but they have a checkbox to mark them as completed.
• Managing To-Dos: Organize to-dos within notebooks, set reminders, and mark them off as you complete them.

2.6 Tags

• Adding Tags: In the note editor, you can add tags to your notes for better categorization and searching. There’s a field usually at the top or bottom of the note for adding tags.
• Using Tags: Tags help in filtering and finding notes across different notebooks.

2.7 Search Functionality

• Using the Search Bar: Joplin’s search bar, typically at the top of the window, allows you to search across all your notes and notebooks.
• Advanced Search: You can use keywords and search operators to refine your search.

2.8 Synchronization Status

• Location and Purpose: The sync status is often displayed in the bottom left corner or the toolbar.
• Usage: It shows when the last sync occurred and any sync errors. You can manually trigger a sync from here as well.

 

3. Synchronization with Cloud Services

Joplin's ability to synchronize notes across devices is one of its key features, offering a seamless experience across your devices. Here's how to set it up:

Access Synchronization Settings: Go to Tools > Options (or Preferences on some platforms) > Synchronization.

Choose a Sync Target: Click on Open Sync Wizard wherein Joplin supports various cloud services like Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, WebDAV, and even file system (for local sync). Select your preferred service from the dropdown menu.

Configure Sync Settings:

• For cloud services like Dropbox or OneDrive, you will be prompted to log in to your account and authorize Joplin.
• For services like Nextcloud or WebDAV, enter the required URL and credentials.
• If you select file system, choose a local folder. This can be used to sync with a service like Syncthing.

Initiate Synchronization:

• Click the Synchronize button in the main UI or set up a synchronization interval in the settings.
• Joplin will start syncing your notes, to-dos, notebooks, tags, and attachments with the chosen service.

Sync Across Devices: To sync your notes across devices, install Joplin on your other devices (mobile, tablet, other computers) and repeat the above steps with the same sync target.

Encryption for Sync: Joplin also offers end-to-end encryption for your synchronized data. You can enable this in the Encryption section of the settings.

 

4. Using External Editors with Joplin

Joplin’s support for external editors is a significant feature for users who prefer a more robust text editing environment, like Atom or Sublime Text. Here’s how to set it up:

Accessing General Settings: Go to Tools > Options (or Preferences) > General.

Setting the External Editor Path:

• In the Text editor command field, enter the path to the executable of your preferred external editor.
• For example, for Sublime Text, you might enter something like /usr/bin/subl (this path can vary based on your installation).

• Once configured, you can open any note in Joplin in the external editor.
• Use the shortcut Ctrl + E (or Cmd + E on macOS) or right-click on the note and select Edit in external editor.
• Changes made in the external editor will be reflected in Joplin once the note is saved in the editor.

 

5. Customization Options in Joplin

Joplin offers a variety of customization options to tailor the appearance and functionality of the application to your preferences. These options enhance the user experience by allowing you to adjust themes, fonts, and layout as per your liking.

 

5.1 Changing Themes

Accessing Appearance Settings:

• Navigate to Tools > Options (or Preferences on some platforms) > Appearance.
• This section contains various settings related to the visual aspect of Joplin.

Selecting a Theme:

• Joplin typically offers a few themes, including Light, Dark, and others.
• Select your preferred theme from the dropdown menu. The change is usually applied immediately.

 

5.2 Adjusting Fonts and Layout

Font Customization:

• Within the Appearance settings, you can also find options to change the font family and size.
• This can be particularly useful if you prefer a certain font style or need larger text for better readability.

Editor Layout:

• Joplin allows you to customize the layout of the note editor. You can choose between the Markdown editor and the Rich Text (WYSIWYG) editor.
• Additionally, you can adjust the editor's view mode to see the Markdown and rendered view side by side or switch between them.

Advanced Customization:

• For more tech-savvy users, Joplin supports advanced customization through user style sheets (CSS). This allows for detailed customization of the UI.

 

6. Conclusion

Joplin is now successfully installed on your Ubuntu system. You can start organizing your notes in this feature rich, opensource notetaking application. The end-to-end encryption ensures that your sensitive information is secure, and the versatile features make Joplin a powerful tool for personal and professional notetaking.

Explore the various features offered by Joplin, including synchronization, tagging, and support for various platforms. As you integrate Joplin into your workflow, you'll discover a seamless and efficient notetaking experience on your Ubuntu system.