Linux Installer

Community workarounds are only allowed when they are explicitly curated in the catalog.

Unreviewed community suggestions may be installed only when:

1. skills.entries.linux-installer.unsafeCommunityInstalls is enabled in openclaw.json
2. the user explicitly confirms the unreviewed install
3. the install command includes --allow-unsafe

Prerequisites

Before using this skill, ensure the helper CLI is installed:

cd ~/.openclaw/skills/linux-installer
pip install -e .

Workflow

If you are expanding curated coverage, use CATALOG_GUIDE.md to decide which apps belong in catalog.json and which should rely on dynamic discovery.

When the user asks to install an app:

1. Resolve the best path:

linux-installer resolve "gimp"

2. Summarize the result:

   • chosen source
   • package id
   • whether it is an official package, fallback, or community workaround
   • whether it is curated or unreviewed
   • missing tooling, if any
   • tooling bootstrap command, if any
   • source URL, if available
   • public summary and any best-effort review note
   • exact install command
   • launch command
   • warnings or fallbacks

3. Ask for confirmation before installing.

4. If the selected result is a community workaround, ask for a second explicit confirmation that acknowledges it is unofficial/community-maintained.

5. If the selected result is an unreviewed suggestion, explain that:

   • it was discovered dynamically from public package metadata
   • it is not maintainer-reviewed
   • opt-in support for unreviewed suggestions must be enabled first
   • it requires a separate unreviewed-install confirmation

6. After confirmation, run:

linux-installer install "gimp" --source flatpak --package org.gimp.GIMP --yes

For a community workaround, include --allow-community:

linux-installer install "roblox" --source flatpak --package org.vinegarhq.Sober --yes --allow-community

For an unreviewed suggestion, include --allow-unsafe and ensure opt-in support for unreviewed suggestions is enabled in openclaw.json.

7. Return the launch command:

linux-installer run-info "gimp" --source flatpak --package org.gimp.GIMP

8. Optionally launch the installed app:

linux-installer run "gimp" --source flatpak --package org.gimp.GIMP

9. For removal, prefer the helper's uninstall command. If the result is a manual or unsafe removal path, return the command or manual steps instead of improvising:

linux-installer uninstall "gimp" --source flatpak --package org.gimp.GIMP --yes

Rules

• Never install anything before the user confirms.
• Never install a community workaround without a second explicit confirmation.
• Never install an unreviewed suggestion unless opt-in support is enabled and the user explicitly accepts the unreviewed path.
• Prefer the helper CLI output over ad hoc shell reasoning.
• If resolve says no safe automated path was found, do not invent install steps.
• Manual/archive fallbacks may surface curated manual_steps, but the helper must not auto-download or auto-run them.
• Manual/archive and other unsafe removal flows may surface manual_steps, but the helper must not auto-delete them unless the uninstall path is explicitly curated and safe.
• Wine/manual flows are higher risk and should be presented as fallback options, not defaults.
• Community workarounds must be presented as unofficial, curated alternatives.
• Unreviewed suggestions must be presented as research findings, not trusted recommendations.
• Always tell the user the exact command to launch the app after install.