Brackets Linux Guide

This guide is also available at https://nathanjplummer.github.io/Brackets/

How to fix common Brackets issues that may occur with the Linux Operating System.

Libcrypt11 Missing Dependency in Ubuntu

Brackets depends on libcrypt11 but newer version of Ubuntu ship with libcrypt20. If you’re using Ubuntu or a derivative (Kubuntu, Linux Mint, etc) you may get an error message similar to the following:

dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of brackets:
 brackets depends on libgcrypt11 (>= 1.4.5); however:
  Package libgcrypt11 is not installed.

dpkg: error processing package brackets (--install):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured
Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme (0.15-0ubuntu1) ...
Errors were encountered while processing:
 brackets

Solution 1: Manually Install libcrypt11

The links below will download a copy of libcrypt11 from an older version of Ubuntu. Note that libcrypt11 can coexist peacefully with newer versions.

• 32bit x86
• 64bit x64
• All other architectures can be found here

Solution 2: Install from PPA

Ubuntu has a PPA for Brackets installs which will automatically import libcrypt11 while also keeping Brackets up to date automatically. To install from PPA, open a terminal and then:

1. sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/brackets
   • If asked to install key say “yes”
2. sudo apt-get update
3. sudo apt-get install brackets

Lack of HiDPI support

If you have a high resolution screen, such as an Apple Retina, Brackets will ignore any HiDPI settings and present you with very small text and icons.

Step 1: Install Extension “UI Too Small”

The UI Too Small Extension increases the size of fonts inside the Bracket’s UI. Unfortunately it does not change the size of the icons. You can install the extension from the Brackets Extension manager.

• From the Brackets File Menu choose “File” -> “Extension Manager”
• Search for “Ui Too Small”
• The Extension’s author is: “Brandon Bertelsen”
• Click “Install” next to the extension name
• Save your work and restart Brackets

Step 2: Change your Font Size

If the font in your work view i still too small, you can change you font size by:

• From the Brackets File Menu choose “View” -> “Themes”
• You’ll see a section Font Size:
• Increase the number in front of “px.” Be sure to leave the “px” unit.

Brackets-Electron

What is Brackets-Electron?

An alternative to the above issues is to install Brackets-Electron- a fork of Brackets that:

1. Merges newer code that has not yet made it to Brackets standard
2. Replaces the Brackets CEF3 Shell with a more Linux friendly Electron Shell.

Worth noting: Brackets-Electron is an unofficial fork and not supported by the Brackets team.

While being more cutting edge, and hence, potentially more error prone, Brackets-Electron does fix the above issues. Furthermore, it retains compatibility with most Brackets Extensions and can be installed alongside vanilla Brackets without conflict.

You can download Brackets-Electron here.

Install Brackets-Electron as an AppImage

While the Brackets-Electron team currently publishes .deb packages alongside the more universal AppImage format, plans are to eventually move to only AppImage Packages.

To install an AppImage:

1. From the terminal, change to the directory where your AppImage is stored. Example:
   • cd home/user/Downloads
2. Change permissions on the AppImage with command chmod a+x
   • chmod a+x brackets-electron-1.8.2-x86_64.AppImage
3. Run image with ./imagename
   • ./brackets-electron-1.8.2-x86_64.AppImage

Once you run the AppImage you will be given the option of installing a shortcut to Brackets-Electron in your program menu.

Click “Yes” to install to your menu.

NOTE: If you change the location of the AppImage your program link will cease to function. Put your AppImage in a more permanent location before you run it.