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Install ModePilot Desktop on Ubuntu or Debian

Keep your current mode close at hand and make quick overrides without opening Slack. Linux 0.1.5 is available as an early-access Ubuntu / Debian package. macOS and Windows downloads are not available yet.

Before you start
  • A ModePilot account with workspace access and an internet connection.
  • Ubuntu 22.04+ or Debian 12+ with the declared dependency packages available.
  • Python 3.10+ and GTK 3. APT resolves the Python, Tkinter, PyGObject and AppIndicator dependencies.

The package uses Debian architecture all because it contains Python code; it is not an amd64-only binary.

APT installs these dependencies with the app. To install them first, or restore missing desktop bindings, run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-tk python3-gi gir1.2-gtk-3.0 gir1.2-ayatanaappindicator3-0.1

This installs Python, Tkinter for the app window, and the GTK, PyGObject and Ayatana AppIndicator bindings for the tray icon.

Install and connect

1. Download the Linux package
Download for Ubuntu / Debian

Linux 0.1.5 · Early access · .deb · SHA-256 checksum

Save the package and its checksum in the same folder. Open a terminal in that folder and verify the download:

sha256sum -c modepilot-desktop_0.1.5_all.deb.sha256

Continue when the result says OK.

2. Install and launch ModePilot Desktop

Run these commands from the folder containing the downloaded file:

sudo apt install ./modepilot-desktop_0.1.5_all.deb
modepilot-desktop

You can also open ModePilot Desktop from your application menu. Login startup is opt-in; instructions are in /usr/share/doc/modepilot-desktop/README after installation.

3. Create a connection code
  1. Sign in and open Desktop App in ModePilot.
  2. Name the computer and select Linux.
  3. Choose Create connection code.
  4. Copy the code before leaving the page. It is shown only once.
4. Connect ModePilot Desktop
  1. Paste the connection code into the desktop app.
  2. Choose Connect.
  3. Confirm that your name and current mode appear.
  4. The app remembers the connection for future starts.

Update or remove the app

Updates are installed manually. Download a newer .deb when available and install it with sudo apt install ./the-downloaded-filename.deb. Quit the old running client and relaunch it after installation.

To remove the package:

sudo apt remove modepilot-desktop

Your saved connection data is retained.

Switch from an older manual installation

Quit the old app. From your old manual-install source folder, run its installer with the uninstall option before launching the packaged version:

./install.sh --uninstall

The old installer preserves your connection data. This removes the old launcher in ~/.local/binso it does not override the packaged launcher in /usr/bin.

Manage access

The Connected computers section lists every active desktop connection and when it was last used. Choose Disconnect if you retire a computer, lose access to it, or no longer recognize it.

Common problems

The app does not connect
  • Create a fresh connection code; an old code cannot be displayed again.
  • Make sure the complete code was copied without extra spaces.
  • Confirm the computer has internet access and can reach modepilot.app.
The tray icon is missing
  • The main window still works without tray support.
  • Some GNOME setups need an AppIndicator extension to display tray icons.
  • APT installs the declared PyGObject, GTK 3 and AppIndicator dependencies when they are available.
  • Restart the app after enabling tray support.