LibrePCB is a powerful open-source Electronic Design Automation (EDA) application used for designing electronic schematics and printed circuit boards (PCBs). It provides an intuitive interface for creating circuit diagrams, managing component libraries, and designing PCB layouts for electronics projects. LibrePCB is suitable for hobbyists, students, makers, and professional engineers who need a modern and easy-to-use PCB design tool on Linux.

On FunOS, there are two main ways to install LibrePCB. The first method uses the Ubuntu repositories, which is the easiest and most integrated option. The second method uses the official portable .tar.gz package provided by the LibrePCB developers. This method is useful if you want a newer version than the one available in the Ubuntu repositories.

This tutorial explains both installation methods in detail, including how to launch LibrePCB and how to completely remove it from FunOS if needed.

What is LibrePCB?

LibrePCB is a free and open-source PCB design software application designed to simplify electronics development workflows. It allows users to create schematics, manage electronic components, and design professional PCB layouts in a modern and organized environment.

Some features of LibrePCB include:

• Schematic editor
• PCB layout editor
• 3D board visualization
• Library management system
• Cross-platform support
• Modern and clean user interface
• Open-source licensing

LibrePCB is especially popular among Linux users because it is lightweight, actively developed, and easy to use compared to some traditional EDA software.

How to Install LibrePCB on FunOS

There are two installation methods available:

• Installing from the Ubuntu repositories
• Installing using the official .tar.gz portable package

Method 1: Installing from the Ubuntu Repositories

Work on: 22.04.5 ❌ | 24.04.4 ❌ | 25.10 ✅ | 26.04 ✅

This is the easiest installation method and is recommended for most users.

Step 1: Open a Terminal

You can open a Terminal in FunOS using one of these methods:

• Click Menu in the lower-left corner of the screen, then click Terminal
• Click the Terminal icon in the Tray
• Press Ctrl + Alt + T

Step 2: Update the Package List

Before installing LibrePCB, update the package list first.

sudo apt update

This command refreshes the package information from the Ubuntu repositories configured on your FunOS system.

Step 3: Install LibrePCB

Install LibrePCB using the following command:

sudo apt install librepcb

During the installation process, FunOS will automatically download and install LibrePCB along with any required dependencies.

Step 4: Reload the Menu

In FunOS, newly installed applications do not immediately appear in the menu until the menu cache is refreshed.

To reload the menu:

• Click the Menu button in the lower-left corner of the screen
• Click Reload menu

Method 2: Installing LibrePCB Using the .tar.gz Package

Work on: 22.04.5 ✅ | 24.04.4 ✅ | 25.10 ✅ | 26.04 ✅

This method installs the official portable archive provided by the LibrePCB developers. It is useful if you want a newer version of LibrePCB than the version available in the Ubuntu repositories.

Step 1: Download the LibrePCB tarball (.tar.gz) File

1. Visit the LibrePCB official download page: https://librepcb.org/download/

2. Click on the text that says “Portable Archive”

3. Save the .tar.gz file to your Downloads directory

Step 2: Open a Terminal

Open a Terminal using one of the available methods in FunOS.

Step 3: Navigate to the Downloads Directory

Move to the Downloads directory where the LibrePCB archive was saved.

cd ~/Downloads

Step 4: Extract the .tar.gz File

Extract the downloaded archive and move it into a hidden directory in your home folder.

tar -xvzf librepcb-*.tar.gz -C ~/
mv ~/librepcb-* ~/.librepcb

Explanation:

• tar -xvzf extracts the compressed archive
• -C ~/ extracts the files into your home directory
• mv renames the extracted directory to ~/.librepcb

Using a hidden directory helps keep your home directory organized.

Step 5: Navigate to the Home Directory

Move back to your home directory.

cd

Step 6: Create a Symbolic Link to the LibrePCB Executable

Create symbolic links so LibrePCB can be launched easily from the Terminal.

sudo ln -sf ~/.librepcb/bin/librepcb /usr/bin/librepcb
sudo ln -sf ~/.librepcb/bin/librepcb-cli /usr/bin/librepcb-cli

Explanation:

• ln -sf creates symbolic links to the LibrePCB executables

Step 7: Create a Desktop Entry for LibrePCB

Create a desktop entry so LibrePCB appears in the FunOS application menu.

mkdir -p ~/.local/share/applications
cp ~/.librepcb/share/applications/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.desktop ~/.local/share/applications/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.desktop

Explanation:

• The .desktop file integrates LibrePCB into the desktop environment

Step 8: Copy the LibrePCB Icon Theme to the Local Icons Directory

Copy the LibrePCB icon files into the local icon directory.

mkdir -p ~/.local/share/icons
cp -r ~/.librepcb/share/icons/hicolor ~/.local/share/icons

This step ensures that LibrePCB icons appear correctly in the menu and file manager.

Step 9: Register LibrePCB MIME Types in the System

Register LibrePCB file associations and MIME types.

mkdir -p ~/.local/share/mime/packages
cp ~/.librepcb/share/mime/packages/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.xml ~/.local/share/mime/packages/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.xml
update-mime-database ~/.local/share/mime

This allows FunOS to recognize LibrePCB project files correctly.

Step 10: Remove the Downloaded .tar.gz File

After installation, you can remove the downloaded archive file.

rm -f ~/Downloads/librepcb-*.tar.gz

This step is optional but helps keep the Downloads directory clean.

Step 11: Reload the Menu

Reload the application menu so LibrePCB appears correctly.

• Click the Menu button in the lower-left corner
• Click Reload menu

Launching LibrePCB

After installation, you can launch LibrePCB from the FunOS application menu.

To launch it:

• Click the Menu button in the lower-left corner
• Open the Development category
• Click LibrePCB

LibrePCB may take a few moments to start during the first launch while it initializes configuration files and libraries.

How to Uninstall LibrePCB on FunOS

The removal steps depend on which installation method you used.

Uninstall LibrePCB Installed from the Ubuntu Repositories

Step 1: Open a Terminal

Open a Terminal in FunOS.

Step 2: Remove LibrePCB

Run the following command to remove LibrePCB from the system.

sudo apt remove --purge librepcb

The --purge option removes both the package and its system-wide configuration files.

Step 3: Remove Any Unused Dependencies

Remove unused packages that were automatically installed during the LibrePCB installation process.

sudo apt autoremove --purge

This helps free disk space and keeps the system clean.

Step 4: Remove User Data (Optional)

If you also want to remove personal settings and project workspace data, run:

rm -rf ~/.cache/LibrePCB
rm -rf ~/.config/LibrePCB
rm -rf ~/.local/share/librepcb
rm -rf ~/LibrePCB-Workspace

Warning:

This step permanently deletes LibrePCB configuration files and workspace data stored in your home directory.

Step 5: Reload the Menu

Reload the menu to remove LibrePCB from the application list.

• Click the Menu button in the lower-left corner of the screen
• Click Reload menu

Uninstall LibrePCB Installed from the .tar.gz Package

Step 1: Open a Terminal

Open a Terminal in FunOS.

Step 2: Remove the LibrePCB Directory

Remove the LibrePCB installation directory.

rm -rf ~/.librepcb

Step 3: Remove the Symbolic Link

Remove the symbolic links created during installation.

sudo rm -f /usr/bin/librepcb
sudo rm -f /usr/bin/librepcb-cli

Step 4: Remove the Desktop Entry

Remove the LibrePCB menu launcher.

rm -f ~/.local/share/applications/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.desktop

Step 5: Remove the LibrePCB Icon Theme

Remove the LibrePCB icon files.

rm -f ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/128x128/apps/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.png
rm -f ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/16x16/apps/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.png
rm -f ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/24x24/apps/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.png
rm -f ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/32x32/apps/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.png
rm -f ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.png
rm -f ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/64x64/apps/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.png
rm -f ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/scalable/apps/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.svg
rm -f ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/scalable/mimetypes/org.librepcb.LibrePCB-archive.svg
rm -f ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/scalable/mimetypes/org.librepcb.LibrePCB-file.svg
rm -f ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/scalable/mimetypes/org.librepcb.LibrePCB-project.svg

Step 6: Unregister LibrePCB MIME Types from the System

Remove the LibrePCB MIME type registration.

rm -f ~/.local/share/mime/packages/org.librepcb.LibrePCB.xml
update-mime-database ~/.local/share/mime

Step 7: Remove User Data (Optional)

Remove LibrePCB user configuration and workspace files.

rm -rf ~/.cache/LibrePCB
rm -rf ~/.config/LibrePCB
rm -rf ~/.local/share/librepcb
rm -rf ~/LibrePCB-Workspace

Warning:

This command permanently deletes all LibrePCB user settings and project workspace data stored in your home directory.

Step 8: Reload the Menu

Reload the menu to fully remove LibrePCB from the application list.

• Click the Menu button in the lower-left corner
• Click Reload menu

Conclusion

LibrePCB is an excellent open-source PCB design application for Linux users who need a modern and lightweight electronics design environment. On FunOS, you can install LibrePCB easily using either the Ubuntu repositories or the official portable .tar.gz package.

The Ubuntu repository method is simpler and easier to maintain through system updates, while the portable archive method provides access to newer versions directly from the LibrePCB developers.

Whichever method you choose, LibrePCB integrates well with FunOS and provides a powerful platform for creating schematics, PCB layouts, and electronics projects.