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

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)?"

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."

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

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

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

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

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.