How to Install Eclipse IDE on Linux

Eclipse IDE is a favorite among Java developers, but it also supports many other programming languages. Installing Eclipse on Linux isn’t complicated, but a straightforward guide can save you time. Here’s how to get Eclipse IDE up and running on your Linux system.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have:

• A Linux machine (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, etc.)
• Internet connection
• Java Development Kit (JDK) installed

Tip: Eclipse requires Java. If you don’t have JDK, install it with:

For Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install default-jdk

For Fedora:

sudo dnf install java-11-openjdk

Optional: Install Eclipse Using Snap

Snap is a simple way to install Eclipse and keep it updated automatically. If you prefer this method, first make sure Snap is enabled on your Linux system.

Need help installing Snap? Check out this guide:
How to Install snap in Linux

Once Snap is set up, you can install Eclipse with:

sudo snap install eclipse --classic

You’re done! Just search for “Eclipse” in your app menu and launch.

Manual Installation Steps

If you’d rather install Eclipse manually or Snap isn’t an option, follow these steps:

1. Download Eclipse IDE

Go to the official Eclipse Downloads page.
Click “Download” for the latest version of Eclipse IDE for Java Developers (or any flavor you need).

Or use wget to download it directly from the terminal:

wget https://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/eclipse/technology/epp/downloads/release/2024-03/R/eclipse-inst-jre-linux64.tar.gz

(URL may change—check the site for the latest!)

2. Extract the Eclipse Installer

Navigate to your Downloads folder (or wherever you saved the file):

cd ~/Downloads
tar -xzf eclipse-inst-jre-linux64.tar.gz

This will create a folder named eclipse-installer.

3. Run the Eclipse Installer

Change to the installer directory and run it:

cd eclipse-installer
./eclipse-inst

If you get a permissions error, make the file executable:

chmod +x eclipse-inst

Then try again.

4. Choose Your IDE Package

Select the Eclipse IDE package you want (e.g., Eclipse IDE for Java Developers).
Click Install and follow the prompts.

5. Launch Eclipse

After installation, navigate to the folder where Eclipse was installed and run:

cd ~/eclipse/java-<version>/eclipse
./eclipse

Or, search for “Eclipse” in your system’s app launcher.

6. (Optional) Create a Desktop Shortcut

Make Eclipse easier to launch with a desktop shortcut:

1. Open a terminal.
2. Create a .desktop file:

nano ~/.local/share/applications/eclipse.desktop

3. Paste this in (update the paths as needed):

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Eclipse IDE
Type=Application
Exec=/home/YOUR_USERNAME/eclipse/java-<version>/eclipse/eclipse
Icon=/home/YOUR_USERNAME/eclipse/java-<version>/eclipse/icon.xpm
Comment=Eclipse IDE
Categories=Development;IDE;
Terminal=false

4. Save and close the file (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X).

You should now see Eclipse in your app menu.

Wrapping Up

That’s it! Whether you choose Snap or manual installation, you’ve got Eclipse IDE ready to go on your Linux machine. If you run into trouble, check your Java installation or refer to the official Eclipse documentation.

If this guide helped, let me know in the comments—and don’t forget to check out more Linux how-tos on the blog!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!