Install Super Productivity on Linux: Step-by-Step

Super Productivity is a free, open-source task manager that combines to-do lists, time tracking, and project planning into one clean interface. This guide walks you through installing it on Linux using the most common methods: Flatpak, AppImage, and building from source. You’ll have it running in about five minutes, no matter which distribution you use.

What You’ll Need

• A Linux distribution (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, etc.)
• An internet connection
• Basic familiarity with the terminal (for some methods)
• Optional: Flatpak support if you choose that method (most distros have it available)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Install via Flatpak (Recommended)

1. Install Flatpak if you don’t have it. On Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install flatpak. On Fedora: sudo dnf install flatpak. On Arch: sudo pacman -S flatpak. For other distributions, check your package manager.
2. Add the Flathub repository. Run flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo. You may need to restart your session or reboot after this step.
3. Install Super Productivity. Run flatpak install flathub net.superproductivity.SuperProductivity. Confirm the installation when prompted.
4. Launch the app. You can find it in your application menu, or run flatpak run net.superproductivity.SuperProductivity from the terminal.

Method 2: Install via AppImage

1. Download the AppImage. Go to the official Super Productivity website (super-productivity.com) and download the Linux AppImage file, or get it from the GitHub releases page.
2. Make it executable. Open a terminal in the directory where you downloaded the file (usually ~/Downloads). Run chmod +x SuperProductivity*.AppImage (replace the filename with the actual one).
3. Run the AppImage. Double-click the file in your file manager, or run ./SuperProductivity*.AppImage from the terminal. If you get a FUSE error, see the Troubleshooting section below.
4. Optional: Create a desktop entry. To add it to your application menu, use a tool like AppImageLauncher or create a .desktop file manually.

Method 3: Build from Source (Advanced)

1. Install Node.js and npm. Super Productivity is an Angular app. You’ll need Node.js (version 18 or later) and npm. On Ubuntu: sudo apt install nodejs npm. On Fedora: sudo dnf install nodejs. On Arch: sudo pacman -S nodejs npm.
2. Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/johannesjo/super-productivity.git and then cd super-productivity.
3. Install dependencies. Run npm install. This may take several minutes.
4. Start the development server. Run npm start. The app will open in your browser at http://localhost:4200.
5. Build a standalone app (optional). To create a native desktop app, you’ll need to use Electron. Follow the project’s build documentation for detailed steps, as it involves additional configuration.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the Flathub remote. If you try to install via Flatpak without adding Flathub, you’ll get an error saying the app isn’t found. Always add the remote first.
• Forgetting to make the AppImage executable. Double-clicking a downloaded AppImage often does nothing if the execute permission isn’t set. Always run chmod +x first.
• Using an outdated Node version. If you build from source, an old Node.js version can cause build errors. Check your version with node --version and update if needed.
• Confusing the web app with the desktop app. The source build with npm start runs in the browser, not as a separate window. That’s normal for development.

Tips

• Sync your data. Super Productivity supports WebDAV sync, so you can use your own Nextcloud or other WebDAV server to keep tasks in sync across devices. Set this up in the settings after first launch.
• Use keyboard shortcuts. The app has many shortcuts (e.g., Ctrl+N for new task, Ctrl+Space to start/stop timer). Check the help section inside the app.
• Customize the layout. You can drag and drop panels to suit your workflow. The interface is highly configurable.
• Back up your data. Your tasks are stored locally by default. Periodically export a backup via Settings > Backup.

Troubleshooting

• AppImage fails with a FUSE error. Older systems may not have FUSE installed. Install it with sudo apt install fuse (Ubuntu/Debian) or sudo dnf install fuse (Fedora). Alternatively, extract the AppImage with ./AppImage --appimage-extract and run the executable inside the extracted directory.
• Flatpak installation says “Unable to load summary from remote.” This usually means the Flathub remote wasn’t added correctly. Re-run the flatpak remote-add command and check with flatpak remotes.
• App doesn’t start after installation. Try launching from the terminal to see error messages. For Flatpak, run flatpak run net.superproductivity.SuperProductivity. For AppImage, run it from the terminal. Common issues include missing libraries or permission problems.
• Build fails with npm errors. Delete node_modules and package-lock.json, then run npm install again. Also ensure you’re using a recent LTS version of Node.js.
• App runs but doesn’t show in the system tray. On some desktop environments, tray icons are hidden by default. Check your system settings to enable tray icons for the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Super Productivity free?

Yes, it’s completely free and open-source. There are no paid tiers or hidden costs.

Can I sync my tasks across devices?

Yes, you can use WebDAV sync to connect to your own server (like Nextcloud) or a third-party WebDAV provider.

Does it work offline?

Yes, the app works fully offline. Sync only happens when you manually trigger it or set up auto-sync.

Can I import tasks from other apps?

There’s a built-in import feature for JSON files, and you can also use the WebDAV sync to import from compatible services.

How do I update the app?

For Flatpak, run flatpak update. For AppImage, download the new version and replace the old file. For source builds, pull the latest code and rebuild.

Is there a mobile version?

There’s no official mobile app, but you can access the web version through a browser on your phone, and it’s responsive.

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