Flutter Environment Setup Linux

flutter-linux-setup

Goal

Configures a Linux environment (Debian/Ubuntu or ChromeOS) for Flutter desktop application development by installing required system prerequisites, managing OS-specific configurations, and validating the toolchain.

Decision Logic

• If OS is ChromeOS: Require manual enablement of Linux support before proceeding to package installation.
• If OS is Debian/Ubuntu: Proceed directly to apt-get package updates and installations.
• If OS is non-Debian (e.g., Fedora, Arch): Halt and inform the user that this skill specifically targets apt-get package managers.

Instructions

1. Determine the Host Operating System: STOP AND ASK THE USER: "Are you setting up this Flutter environment on a standard Debian/Ubuntu Linux distribution, or on a Chromebook (ChromeOS)?"

2. Handle ChromeOS Prerequisites (Conditional): If the user indicates they are on a Chromebook: Instruct the user to navigate to their ChromeOS Settings, turn on "Linux development environment", and ensure it is fully updated. STOP AND ASK THE USER: "Please confirm once Linux support is enabled and updated so we can proceed with the package installation."

3. Update System Packages: Execute the following command to refresh the package lists and upgrade existing packages:

   sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
   

4. Install Core Prerequisites: Install the base dependencies required for Flutter to operate and build on Linux:

   sudo apt-get install -y curl git unzip xz-utils zip libglu1-mesa
   

5. Install Linux Desktop Toolchain: Install the specific C/C++ toolchain and GTK libraries required to compile Linux desktop applications:

   sudo apt-get install -y clang cmake ninja-build pkg-config libgtk-3-dev libstdc++-12-dev
   

6. IDE Configuration Prompt: STOP AND ASK THE USER: "For the best experience, an IDE with Flutter support is recommended. Would you like me to provide the installation commands for Visual Studio Code or Android Studio?"

   • If VS Code: Provide the snap installation command: sudo snap install --classic code
   • If Android Studio: Provide the snap installation command: sudo snap install android-studio --classic

7. Validate the Environment: Run the Flutter diagnostic tool to verify the Linux toolchain and device availability:

   flutter doctor -v
   flutter devices
   

   Validate-and-Fix: Analyze the output of flutter doctor -v.

   • If the "Linux toolchain" section reports missing dependencies, parse the missing package names, construct a new sudo apt-get install -y <packages> command, and execute it.
   • If flutter devices does not list a linux platform device, verify that the libgtk-3-dev package was successfully installed and re-run the validation.

Constraints

• Do not include any external URLs, hyperlinks, or references to external documentation.
• Assume the user has sudo privileges and do not explain basic privilege escalation concepts.
• Do not explain what individual packages (e.g., curl, cmake) do; assume the user understands standard Linux development tools.
• Strictly use apt-get for package management to ensure non-interactive compatibility (-y flags must be present).
• All terminal commands must be enclosed in bash code blocks.