How to Install and Use Flameshot on Ubuntu – Complete Installation Guide

Taking screenshots is an essential task for sharing information, demonstrating concepts, and troubleshooting issues. Flameshot is a powerful screenshot tool for Linux systems that offers a range of features and customization options. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of installing Flameshot on an Ubuntu system and using it effectively.

Prerequisites:

• An Ubuntu system (this guide is based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS).
• Access to a terminal window.

Step 1: Open a Terminal

To begin, open a terminal on your Ubuntu system. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or searching for “Terminal” in the application launcher.

Step 2: Update Package Repositories

Before installing any software, it’s a good practice to ensure that your package repositories are up to date. Run the following command to update the repositories:

sudo apt update

Step 3: Install Flameshot

Flameshot can be easily installed using the apt package manager. Run the following command to install Flameshot:

sudo apt install flameshot

You’ll be prompted to enter your password to proceed with the installation. Type your password and press Enter.

Step 4: Verify Installation

Once the installation is complete, you can verify that Flameshot has been successfully installed by checking its version. Run the following command:

flameshot –version

flameshot --version

You should see the version number of Flameshot displayed in the terminal.

Step 5: Using Flameshot

Flameshot offers both a user-friendly graphical interface and command-line options for taking and editing screenshots. Here’s how to use the GUI:

Open Flameshot: 

You can launch Flameshot by searching for it in the application launcher or by running the following command in the terminal

flameshot gui

Capture a Screenshot: With the Flameshot interface open, you can select the area of the screen you want to capture. Left-click and drag to select the desired area.

Annotate and Edit: After capturing the screenshot, Flameshot provides tools for annotating, highlighting, and adding text to the screenshot.

Save or Share: Once you’ve edited the screenshot, you can save it to your preferred location or share it directly from the Flameshot interface.

Step 6: Optional Keyboard Shortcut Setup

To make using Flameshot even more efficient, you can set up a keyboard shortcut to launch the Flameshot GUI. Here’s how:

Open the “Settings” application on your Ubuntu system.

Navigate to “Keyboard Shortcuts” or a similar section (the path may vary depending on your Ubuntu version).

Click the “+” button to add a new custom shortcut.

Fill in the details:

• Name: Flameshot
• Command: flameshot gui
• Shortcut: Choose a keyboard shortcut that’s not already in use.

Save the shortcut.

Conclusion:

Flameshot is a versatile and user-friendly screenshot tool for Ubuntu that can greatly enhance your ability to capture and share visual information. 

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ve successfully installed Flameshot on your Ubuntu system and learned how to use its features effectively. Whether for documentation, communication, or troubleshooting,

Flameshot is an excellent addition to your software toolkit.