# Flatpak

[Flatpak](https://flatpak.org/) is a packaging format for Linux distributions that allows for sandboxed installation of applications in isolation from the rest of their system. In contrast, typical [deb](/config/makers/deb.md) or [RPM](/config/makers/rpm.md) installation methods are not sandboxed.

## Requirements

You can only build the Flatpak target if you have the following installed on your system:

* [`flatpak`](https://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/flatpak-command-reference.html#flatpak)
* [`flatpak-builder`](https://docs.flatpak.org/en/latest/flatpak-builder-command-reference.html#flatpak-builder)
* `eu-strip` *(usually part of the* [*`elfutils`*](https://sourceware.org/elfutils/) *package)*

You will also need to add the Flathub remote repository to `flatpak` to access runtimes necessary to build your application:

```sh
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists --user flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
```

{% hint style="info" %}
Flathub provides separate [installation instructions](https://flathub.org/setup) for each supported Linux distribution. Please refer to their documentation for additional information.
{% endhint %}

## Installation

```sh
npm install --save-dev @electron-forge/maker-flatpak
```

## Usage

To use `@electron-forge/maker-flatpak`, add it to the `makers` array in your [Forge configuration](/config/configuration.md):

```javascript
module.exports = {
  makers: [
    {
      name: '@electron-forge/maker-flatpak',
      config: {
        options: {
          categories: ['Video'],
          mimeType: ['video/h264']
        }
      }
    }
  ]
};
```

Configuration options are documented in [`MakerFlatpakConfig`](https://js.electronforge.io/interfaces/_electron_forge_maker_flatpak.MakerFlatpakConfig.html).

## Debugging

For advanced debug logging for this maker, add the `DEBUG=electron-installer-flatpak*` environment variable.


---

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