Tired of GDebi crashing? I built a lightweight, visual wrapper for local .deb installs!
Hey everyone! I've either created something absolutely brilliant or completely niche, but I needed to scratch my own itch.
I got incredibly tired of GDebi constantly freezing or crashing on modern desktop layouts, and the default Software Center feels way too bloated and slow just to open a quick, local .deb file.
Since I couldn't find a lightweight, visual tool that just handled local installs reliably, I built deb-progress-installer.
What it does
It’s a lightweight frontend script that uses Zenity to capture dpkg output in real-time. It gives you a smooth, graphical progress bar for local installations without any of the resource bloat.
How to get it
- Ubuntu 26.04 users: I’ve set up an automated PPA for easy background updates.
- Zorin OS 18 / Ubuntu 24.04 / Debian users: You can grab the raw
.deb package directly from the GitHub Releases page and install it graphically or via a quick terminal one-liner.
Check out the repository, grab the installer, and let me know what you think!
GitHub Repository: cybermaxpower/deb-progress-installer
Hello and welcome,
Does it display dependencies before installing and a way to not install the deb, or it's just a direct installer with visual output?
Over the years, I have never once experienced Gdebi freeze or crash, on any system or any computer.
A bit confused by that experience...
4 Likes
Hi,
Currently, it's just a direct installer with visual output.
Showing dependencies beforehand is a really good idea, and I'll definitely consider adding that feature in a future release.
Thanks for the feedback!
hi
I completely understand the confusion! Gdebi has been incredibly stable for a long time.
The freezing or crashing tend to pop up specifically on the more recent versions of Ubuntu. Under-the-hood system changes (like updates to Python and libraries) in the latest releases have caused some compatibility quirks for Gdebi that didn't exist in older versions.
1 Like
What's New in Version 1.0.2
Added Pre-Installation Dependency Checks
No More Surprises: The installer now scans .deb files before launching the installation process to see if any extra system components (dependencies) are required from the internet.
User Confirmation: If additional packages are needed, the tool pauses and displays a neat, bulleted list of everything it needs to download, asking for your explicit permission before making any changes.
Dual-Stage Progress Tracking (Live Download Status)
Real-Time Internet Tracking: Previously, the progress bar could appear frozen or "stuck" at 0% while the system was quietly downloading files from the internet.
Smooth Transitions: The installer now catches live network activity. When it fetches files, the window explicitly updates to show exactly what it is downloading (e.g., Downloading required system component: [package-name]...), keeping the interface active and responsive.
Smart Error Handling & Cancellation Detection
Accurate Status Reporting: Fixed an issue where cancelling the administrator password prompt would still incorrectly trigger a "Success" message. The tool now instantly catches cancellations and handles them safely.
Friendly System Reports: If an installation fails due to a system issue, the installer safely intercepts the technical Linux error code behind the scenes and translates it into a plain, non-technical explanation (such as notifying you if your internet is down or if another system update is currently running in the background).
GitHub - cybermaxpower/deb-progress-installer: A lightweight right-click utility that uses Zenity to show a visual progress bar while installing Debian packages. · GitHub
I would think, it could be a good Idea to add some Pictures of the Program to Your Github Page. So, the People can see the program.
1 Like
Thanks for the great suggestion! I completely agree that having visuals makes a massive difference.
I've actually just updated the GitHub page with a brand new, combined preview image showing the entire installation flow—from requesting admin access and handling dependencies all the way to the success screen.
Take a look at the front page now and let me know what you think!
You have there this:
So, there is a Success Prompt and an Error Prompt. But: Under the Success Prompt is noted ''Success Result''. Under the Error Prompt is the same. But when it is an Error, it can't be a Success Result.
3 Likes
Gdebi also has a reinstall and remove button.
I suspect that the Ubuntu issue may well have been down to there introduction of the letter 't' in their new packages. I also suspect the move to Wayland may also have an influence.
Good catch! You are completely right—an error is definitely not a 'success result'!
That label copy-paste slipped right past me when I was stitching the full layout image together. I'll get that graphic updated to properly say 'Error Result' or 'Failure State' so it makes perfect sense.
Thanks for pointing it out, I appreciate the sharp eyes!
@swarfendor437
Thanks for the insights! You raise some really good points. I suspect you're spot on about the Wayland transition and Ubuntu's package changes causing friction behind the scenes—it certainly explains a lot of the weird stability issues people have been running into lately.
Regarding Gdebi's remove and reinstall functionality: I'm definitely aware of those features, and they are fantastic to have. I wanted to get the core, lightweight installation engine rock-solid first for version 1.0.2, but I can happily say that a 'Reinstall & Remove' feature is already on my drawing board for a future update!
Appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this.
1 Like
