skillSYMS for Linux

Install skillSYMS Desktop on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, RHEL and other distributions, x64 and ARM64: AppImage, .deb and .rpm packages.

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System requirements

x86_64 or ARM64 (aarch64) processor
Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 12+, Fedora 38+, RHEL 9+ or another distribution with WebKitGTK 4.1
A desktop environment with a system tray (GNOME needs the AppIndicator extension for the tray icon)
300 MB of free disk space

Installing

File names below show version 1.0.0; use the name of the file you downloaded.

Ubuntu / Debian (.deb)

sudo apt install ./skillsyms_1.0.0_amd64.deb

Fedora / RHEL (.rpm)

sudo dnf install ./skillSYMS-1.0.0-1.x86_64.rpm

Any distribution (AppImage)

chmod +x skillSYMS_1.0.0_amd64.AppImage
./skillSYMS_1.0.0_amd64.AppImage

Updates

The AppImage updates itself with signed updates. The .deb and .rpm installs are updated by reinstalling the newer package — your lab image or configuration management should roll them out.

Verify the signature (from version 1.3.3)

The AppImage and the .rpm are signed with the skillSYMS Desktop release key, fingerprint 0B2A 1643 A6B7 0743 BE8A 2DB5 BD4F A78A 41B6 286F. The .deb has no signature of its own: check its SHA-256 at skillsyms.com/download/verify.

Import the key and check an .rpm

curl -fsSLO https://skillsyms.com/desktop/linux/skillsyms-desktop-signing.asc
gpg --show-keys skillsyms-desktop-signing.asc
sudo rpm --import skillsyms-desktop-signing.asc
rpm -K skillSYMS-*.rpm

Pre-configure every computer

Place a policy file at /etc/skillsyms/policy.json. Every user who opens skillSYMS on that computer is taken straight to your organisation, and the device registers as institution-managed.

{
  "tenant": "odi",
  "release_channel": "stable",
  "auto_update": true,
  "autostart": false
}

tenant: Your organisation code. The app skips the "Enter organisation code" step.
release_channel: stable, early_access or beta. Your organisation's device policy can still cap it.
auto_update: false stops the app installing updates by itself. Mandatory security updates are still required before use.
autostart: Start skillSYMS in the tray when the user signs in to the computer.
kiosk, kiosk_path, kiosk_idle_minutes: From 1.2: a shared campus computer. Full screen on kiosk_path (default /learner), no tray or window controls, and the web session is wiped after the idle minutes (default 5).

Step-by-step: deploying skillSYMS Desktop. Offline working (registers, logbook entries and evidence) is available from version 1.1 once your organisation switches it on — see offline working. Exam lockdown and USB export controls are not part of skillSYMS Desktop.

All downloads · Verify a download · Release notes