gnome-software
Install, remove, and update software graphically
TLDR
Launch the GNOME Software GUI if it's not already running
Launch the GNOME Software GUI if it's not open, and navigate to the specified page
Launch the GNOME Software GUI if it's not open and view the details of the specified package
Display version
SYNOPSIS
gnome-software [OPTION…]
PARAMETERS
-h, --help
Show help options
--help-all
Show all help options
--help-gtk
Show GTK options
--help-packagekit
Show PackageKit options
-v, --verbose
Print verbose debug information
--quit
Quit the running instance of gnome-software
--download[=[true|false]]
Start or control download of updates
--background
Enable background operations without showing main window
--details=APPID
Show details for application ID
--install=APPID
Install the application ID
--uninstall=APPID
Uninstall the application ID
--run=APPID
Run the installed application ID
DESCRIPTION
GNOME Software is the official graphical software manager for the GNOME desktop environment. It provides an intuitive interface for discovering, installing, updating, and removing applications and system packages.
It leverages backends like PackageKit for distribution packages (e.g., DEB, RPM), Flatpak for sandboxed universal apps, and others like OSTree or Snap. Users can browse curated categories, search by keywords, view screenshots, ratings, reviews, and detailed metadata fetched from AppStream repositories.
Key features include automatic update notifications, background downloads, upgrade paths for system components, and integration with firmware updates via fwupd. It supports both user and system-wide installations, handles dependencies, and offers a store-like experience similar to mobile app stores.
Designed for ease of use, it abstracts complex package management, making software handling accessible without terminal commands. Primarily GUI-driven, it runs in graphical sessions and integrates with GNOME Shell notifications.
CAVEATS
Requires a graphical session and running PackageKit daemon; not suited for headless servers. Some features depend on enabled backends like Flatpak.
BACKENDS
PackageKit (distro pkgs), Flatpak (sandboxed apps), fwupd (firmware), OSTree (atomic updates)
APPSTREAM INTEGRATION
Uses AppStream for metadata, enabling rich app info, screenshots, and categories
HISTORY
Introduced in GNOME 3.10 (March 2014) by Richard Hughes to replace gnome-packagekit. Evolved with Flatpak support in GNOME 3.24 (2017), now actively maintained for GNOME 40+ with modern GTK4 porting.
