10 Things to Do After Installing Debian Linux

Debian is one of the most stable and secure Linux distributions available. Whether you’re setting it up for development, server use, or everyday desktop tasks, a fresh Debian installation needs a little fine-tuning to get the most out of it.

Here are 10 essential things you should do right after installing Debian Linux.

1. Update Your System.

The first thing you should always do after a fresh installation is to update your system. Debian might not include the latest packages on the installation image.

Open your terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This will fetch the latest package lists and apply any available updates.

2. Enable sudo Access (if not already).

Debian doesn’t always add your user to the sudoers group by default. To give your user sudo privileges:

First, log in as root:

su

Then run:

usermod -aG sudo your_username

Now logout and log back in. You should be able to use sudo now.

3. Install Non-Free Firmware (for Wi-Fi, Dedicated Graphics, and Other Hardware Drivers).

Debian strictly separates free and non-free software. If your hardware isn’t working properly, you might need non-free firmware.

Enable the non-free and contrib repositories in your /etc/apt/sources.list:

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

Then run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install firmware-linux firmware-realtek firmware-iwlwifi

Adjust based on your hardware needs. Reboot afterward.

4. Set Up Your Preferred Desktop Environment.

If you installed Debian using the minimal ISO, you may not have a desktop environment yet. You can choose and install one:

For GNOME:

sudo apt install task-gnome-desktop

For XFCE:

sudo apt install task-xfce-desktop

For KDE:

sudo apt install task-kde-desktop

For a lightweight option:

sudo apt install task-lxde-desktop

After installation, reboot your system.

5. Install Essential Software.

Depending on your use case, you may want to install some essential applications:

sudo apt install curl wget git vim gnome-tweaks gparted htop

You might also want to install:

• Firefox or Chromium for browsing
• VLC for media playback
• LibreOffice for document editing
• Timeshift for system backups

6. Set Up Firewall and Security.

By default, Debian doesn’t have an active firewall. Use UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) to easily manage rules.

sudo apt install ufw
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing

To allow SSH if you’re using remote access:

sudo ufw allow ssh

Check status:

sudo ufw status verbose

7. Add Flatpak or Snap (Optional).

To access a broader range of applications, you can install Flatpak or Snap.

To install Flatpak:

sudo apt install flatpak gnome-software-plugin-flatpak

Add the Flathub repository:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

To install Snap:

sudo apt install snapd

Then log out and log back in, or restart.

8. Customize Appearance and Settings.

Use GNOME Tweaks or KDE Settings Manager to personalize themes, icons, fonts, window behavior, and keyboard shortcuts.

Install themes and icon packs from websites like GNOME Look or KDE Store, or use the package manager:

sudo apt install papirus-icon-theme arc-theme

This step helps you make your desktop environment feel truly yours.

9. Configure Power and Performance Settings.

If you’re on a laptop, you may want to improve battery life using tools like TLP:

sudo apt install tlp
sudo systemctl enable tlp

For performance tuning on desktops, consider:

• Disabling unnecessary startup applications
• Enabling proprietary graphics drivers (if needed)

You can also monitor performance using tools like htop, iotop, and powertop.

10. Create Regular Backups.

You never know when you might break something or lose data. Debian is stable, but backups are always a good idea.

Use Timeshift for system snapshots:

sudo apt install timeshift
sudo timeshift-gtk

Or you can set up rsync-based backups manually or with tools like Déjà Dup or BackInTime.

Getting Debian up and running is just the beginning. These 10 steps help ensure your system is secure, fully functional, and tailored to your needs. With stability at its core and a rich package ecosystem, Debian can be a solid platform for any use case—from daily work to server deployment.

Let us know in the comments what else you like to do after a fresh Debian install!