setup the flatpak

Debian 13 (trixie), x86_64, and flatpak isn't installed yet. Here's the setup:

1. Install flatpak

sudo apt update
sudo apt install flatpak

2. Install the software centre (GUI) Debian ships GNOME Software which has flatpak support built in:

sudo apt install gnome-software

3. Add the Flathub repository

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

4. Restart and check Log out and back in (or reboot), then verify:

flatpak remotes        # should list flathub
flatpak --version

5. Install apps

GUI: open GNOME Software, enable the Flathub filter in the sidebar

CLI:

flatpak install flathub com.spotify.Client
flatpak search spotify          # search first
flatpak list # what's installed
flatpak update                  # update everything
flatpak uninstall<app-id>

Notes for Debian specifically

• No sandbox warnings on Debian. Some distros need kernel.unprivileged_userns_clone=1. Debian enables unprivileged user namespaces by default, so you're fine.
• Flatpak apps won't see your apt-installed apps. E.g. GNOME Software installed via apt shows apps, but the flatpak command is separate. Installing apps via apt vs flatpak is a personal preference — mixed use is supported but some apps behave oddly if installed both ways. Pick one per app.
• Data location: flatpak apps store data in ~/.var/app//. App permissions are managed via flatpak override / Flatseal if you need to grant access to files outside the sandbox: sudo apt install flatpakseal # GUI tool for permissions
• If you want a smaller footprint, flatpak --user installs per-user instead of system-wide: flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists --user flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo Want me to run the install steps? I'll need sudo, so either run them yourself with the commands above, or tell me if sudo is passwordless here and I'll proceed.