how to install a minimal KDE ?

[faziopesce]

Hi, I'd like to install a minimal kde on a debian 10 installation, should I follow this "guide" on https://lists.debian.org/debian-user/20 ... 00854.html (it's a bit old)? I'd like to get a similar configuration (without konqueror etc..) but installing other tools like okular,kdenlive,spectacle,ark and kwrite on it.

Will I get dependence problems that will force me to install konqueror and other kde applications? If yes, is there a safe way to force a more "modular" installation of kde apps I want?
Can you suggest me some resources and documentations about my problem? I don't want to install kde metapackages suggested by debian wiki because they contains a subset of programs I don't use.

[roseway]

You could try

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apt install -s <list of kde programs you want>

and see what happens.

[L_V]

how to install a minimal KDE ?

1] disable recommends
/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50norecommends

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APT::Install-Recommends "false";

2]

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apt update
apt install plasma-desktop kwin-x11 sddm haveged konsole plasma-nm systemsettings dolphin kate

and then, install what you need.

[faziopesce]

how to install a minimal KDE ?

1] disable recommends
/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50norecommends

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APT::Install-Recommends "false";

Is this a good and sustainable change?
Could you link me all the wiki/documentations to understand what this change entails and how I will have to maintain the system with this "subset of a metapackage" in order to don't break debian?

Thanks

[L_V]

You can have a look here: viewtopic.php?t=104157

You will not break anything with 'no recommends'. I always do minimal install with no-recommends.
When you make a minimal install, you are supposed to estimate what you need, what is really necessary for you.
+ see

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man apt-get
--no-install-recommends
    Do not consider recommended packages as a dependency for installing. Configuration Item: APT::Install-Recommends.

+ check dependencies if necessary

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apt depends plasma-desktop

If you don't want to modify apt configuration, you can always add '--no-install-recommends' option at each "apt-get install'.
If you become lazy, you will configure apt globally.

[jackdaws]

disable recommends
/etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50norecommends

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APT::Install-Recommends "false";

2]

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apt update
apt install plasma-desktop kwin-x11 sddm haveged konsole plasma-nm systemsettings dolphin kate

and then, install what you need.

I've tried that in the past. By disabling "recommends" you'll end up having to manually install most of the no-longer-recommended packages, simply in order to get KDE to function properly, and it can get complicated/messy. There used to be years ago a way to get a good kde minimal set up by setting an option during debian install. Sadly, that's no longer the case.

I've had some success installing debian with no desktop, and then (using aptitude in my case, with "recommends" set as default) going into the kde metapackage dependency list and maually installing plasma-desktop plus xorg and any individual sub-packages of kde standard, such as gwenview, k3b, parts of kde-admin, and any other must-have packages to get as minimal a set-up as I wanted. That way, core packages such as konsole, dolphin, etc, get pulled in by the "recommends" setting anyway, but very little else that I don't want.

I can't remember the details, but you might give it a go, but you'll have to keep your eyes out to make sure that you get all that you do want - and that the not wanted kitchen sink that comes with kde doesn't end up being installed as well.

[None1975]

Is this a good and sustainable change?

I definitely don't recommend it to you, and certainly not in a place like KDE. Why? Because KDE applications will not function as they should. You will need to find out what packages are missing and install them. All this complicates matters. This method is suitable when you are using a really minimal system with a window manager on top on it. For example, I used this method when constructing my own system with Notion wm on top on it. Now i have system with 865 packages.



If you want reduce Debian, you can check this link:

https://wiki.debian.org/ReduceDebian

[L_V]

I never had any problem with 'no-recommends", and I always install like this to get a minimal KDE, which is the question.
There are 3 levels of package dependencies:
1 - depends
2 - recommends
3 - suggested

If you don't want to take time to analyse exactly what you need, just don't do it, and forget minimal install.

[bester69]

Hi, I'd like to install a minimal kde on a debian 10 installation, should I follow this "guide" on https://lists.debian.org/debian-user/20 ... 00854.html (it's a bit old)? I'd like to get a similar configuration (without konqueror etc..) but installing other tools like okular,kdenlive,spectacle,ark and kwrite on it.

Will I get dependence problems that will force me to install konqueror and other kde applications? If yes, is there a safe way to force a more "modular" installation of kde apps I want?
Can you suggest me some resources and documentations about my problem? I don't want to install kde metapackages suggested by debian wiki because they contains a subset of programs I don't use.

I tell you what I always do, I go for a debian-kde based distro.. and then I drop non debian repositories.. In tyour case I very recommend you (Ive installed recentlly) :
Netrunner (version Core)
Here is an overview of Core:
based on Debian Stable
ships a reduced selection of pre-installed apps, including Dolphin, Synaptic and Update Manager
comes with the ESR version of Firefox
NoVNC is pre-installed (simply open a browser and go to “live-pc:5900”, username:live/pwd:live to access Netrunner Core from your browser)
Plasma Services KCM: Easy to activate/deactivate Core Plasma Services, like Kwallet, Akonadi or Baloo
Simple Menu: A new menu that resembles ChromeOS for fast browsing the available applications

https://www.netrunner.com/netrunner-core/
>> Once installed drop non debian repositories (upgrade, and dist-upgrade to stable 10 or something like that), almost all packages (99%) belongs to debian so no big deal


Very good Distro , by the way

[None1975]

I never had any problem with 'no-recommends", and I always install like this to get a minimal KDE, which is the question.
There are 3 levels of package dependencies:
1 - depends
2 - recommends
3 - suggested

You don't really need to quote this. I know that.

If you don't want to take time to analyse exactly what you need, just don't do it, and forget minimal install.

Recommended packages extend the capabilities of applications. Without them, KDe programs will not function properly. You can also read Debian bug reports. Maybe then you will realize what a mess can cause

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apt install --no-install recomends

Especially with KDE packages. Also, minimal system and KDe are not synonymous.

I never had any problem with 'no-recommends"

I am sincerely happy for you. Really. However, judging from the question asked TS, the author's experience will not be as good as yours.

[L_V]

KDe programs will not function properly. You can also read Debian bug reports. Maybe then you will realize what a mess

A mess ???
I've always made for years netinstall with xorg and minimal KDE install with "no recommends".
Never seen any "bug".
I just progressively add what I need: this is my choice.
During development phase it can happen that dependencies are not 100% managed.
Real necessary dependencies are normally 100% fine on a stable release.

However, I remember I've spent some time with 'haveged' package which was necessary for me to start sddm.
And that's all.