Installing Kvantum from Source on Siduction (Debian Sid)

Introduction

Despite its reputation for a large number of packages in its repositories, Debian (on which Siduction is built) does not provide Kvantum. It is possible to compile and install it manually.

Process

Install Pre-Requisites

Install prerequisites. g++ is listed as a prerequisite in the build instructions on the Kvantum project's website, but it is installed by default or was installed as a result of previous package management transactions. The other prerequisites for compilation are shown in the following apt command.

󰁹 100%  09:32:25  USER: brook HOST: Legion-Siduction   
PCD: 12s ~  ❯$ sudo apt install libx11-dev libxext-dev qt6-base-dev qt6-svg-dev libkf6windowsystem-dev qt6-base-dev-tools
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  libbaloowidgets-bin   libgdal35            libspdlog1.12  libtag1v5-vanilla  ruby3.1
  libdirectfb-1.7-7t64  libkf6baloowidgets6  libtag1v5      python3-colorama
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.

Installing:
  libkf6windowsystem-dev  libx11-dev  libxext-dev  qt6-base-dev  qt6-base-dev-tools  qt6-svg-dev

Installing dependencies:
  libgl-dev               libxau-dev                         qml6-module-qtquick-nativestyle
  libglx-dev              libxcb1-dev                        qml6-module-qttest
  libkf6windowsystem-doc  libxdmcp-dev                       qml6-module-qtwayland-client-texturesharing
  libopengl-dev           qmake6                             qml6-module-qtwayland-compositor
  libqt6jsonrpc6          qmake6-bin                         qt6-declarative-dev
  libqt6languageserver6   qml6-module-qmltime                qt6-declarative-dev-tools
  libqt6qmlcompiler6      qml6-module-qt-labs-animation      qt6-qmllint-plugins
  libqt6qmlnetwork6       qml6-module-qt-labs-settings       qt6-qmltooling-plugins
  libqt6quicktest6        qml6-module-qt-labs-sharedimage    qt6-wayland-dev
  libqt6test6             qml6-module-qt-labs-wavefrontmesh  qt6-wayland-dev-tools
  libvulkan-dev           qml6-module-qtnetwork              x11proto-dev
  libwayland-bin          qml6-module-qtqml-xmllistmodel     xorg-sgml-doctools
  libwayland-dev          qml6-module-qtquick-localstorage   xtrans-dev

Suggested packages:
  libwayland-doc  libx11-doc  libxcb-doc  libxext-doc  cmake

Summary:
  Upgrading: 0, Installing: 45, Removing: 0, Not Upgrading: 27
  Download size: 13.7 MB
  Space needed: 114 MB / 46.8 GB available

Continue? [Y/n]
      

Clone Git Repository and Prepare Build

1. Clone the Git repository. This will create /Kvantum/Kvantum in the directory where the clone command was executed.

   󰁹 100%  10:01:27  USER: brook HOST: Legion-Siduction   
       ~/kvantum-git-clone-demo  ❯$ git clone https://github.com/tsujan/Kvantum.git
       Cloning into 'Kvantum'...
       remote: Enumerating objects: 24366, done.
       remote: Counting objects: 100% (162/162), done.
       remote: Compressing objects: 100% (86/86), done.
       remote: Total 24366 (delta 86), reused 79 (delta 76), pack-reused 24204 (from 3)
       Receiving objects: 100% (24366/24366), 45.50 MiB | 18.38 MiB/s, done.
       Resolving deltas: 100% (16525/16525), done.
   
               

2. Change directory to ./Kvantum/Kvantum

   
   󰁹 100%  10:01:36  USER: brook HOST: Legion-Siduction   
   PCD: 4s ~/kvantum-git-clone-demo  ❯$ cd Kvantum/Kvantum/
   
               

3. Create the build directory and cd into it.

   󰁹 100%  09:51:35  USER: brook HOST: Legion-Siduction  on  master  
    Kvantum/Kvantum  ❯$ mkdir build && cd build
   

Configure the Compilation and Compile

1. Configure the build with cmake. Note that I chose the prefix /usr/local, against the Kvantumproject installation recommendation, but conforming to Linux standards for installations not provided by the distribution. Following the project's recommendation, the command would be:

   cmake ..

   instead of

   cmake .. -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr/local

   󰁹 100%  09:51:38  USER: brook HOST: Legion-Siduction  on  master  
    Kvantum/Kvantum/build  ❯$ cmake .. -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr/local
   -- The C compiler identification is GNU 14.2.0
   -- The CXX compiler identification is GNU 14.2.0
   -- Detecting C compiler ABI info
   -- Detecting C compiler ABI info - done
   -- Check for working C compiler: /usr/bin/cc - skipped
   -- Detecting C compile features
   -- Detecting C compile features - done
   -- Detecting CXX compiler ABI info
   -- Detecting CXX compiler ABI info - done
   -- Check for working CXX compiler: /usr/bin/c++ - skipped
   -- Detecting CXX compile features
   -- Detecting CXX compile features - done
   -- Performing Test CMAKE_HAVE_LIBC_PTHREAD
   -- Performing Test CMAKE_HAVE_LIBC_PTHREAD - Success
   -- Found Threads: TRUE
   -- Performing Test HAVE_STDATOMIC
   -- Performing Test HAVE_STDATOMIC - Success
   -- Found WrapAtomic: TRUE
   -- Found OpenGL: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libOpenGL.so
   -- Found WrapOpenGL: TRUE
   -- Could NOT find XKB (missing: XKB_LIBRARY XKB_INCLUDE_DIR) (Required is at least version "0.5.0")
   -- Found WrapVulkanHeaders: /usr/include
   -- Could NOT find XKB (missing: XKB_LIBRARY XKB_INCLUDE_DIR) (Required is at least version "0.5.0")
   -- Found X11: /usr/include
   -- Looking for XOpenDisplay in /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libX11.so;/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libXext.so
   -- Looking for XOpenDisplay in /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libX11.so;/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libXext.so - found
   -- Looking for gethostbyname
   -- Looking for gethostbyname - found
   -- Looking for connect
   -- Looking for connect - found
   -- Looking for remove
   -- Looking for remove - found
   -- Looking for shmat
   -- Looking for shmat - found
   -- Could NOT find XKB (missing: XKB_LIBRARY XKB_INCLUDE_DIR) (Required is at least version "0.5.0")
   -- Could NOT find XKB (missing: XKB_LIBRARY XKB_INCLUDE_DIR) (Required is at least version "0.5.0")
   -- Configuring done (1.1s)
   -- Generating done (0.0s)
   -- Build files have been written to: /home/brook/Kvantum/Kvantum/build
   

2. Compile Kvantum.

   󰁹 100%  09:51:52  USER: brook HOST: Legion-Siduction  on  master  [?] 
    Kvantum/Kvantum/build  ❯$ make
   [  0%] Built target kvantum_autogen_timestamp_deps
   [  2%] Automatic MOC for target kvantum
   [  2%] Built target kvantum_autogen
   [  5%] Automatic RCC for themeconfig/defaulttheme.qrc
   [  8%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/kvantum_autogen/mocs_compilation.cpp.o
   [ 11%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/Kvantum.cpp.o
   [ 13%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/eventFiltering.cpp.o
   [ 16%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/polishing.cpp.o
   [ 19%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/rendering.cpp.o
   [ 22%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/standardIcons.cpp.o
   [ 25%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/viewItems.cpp.o
   [ 27%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/KvantumPlugin.cpp.o
   [ 30%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/shortcuthandler.cpp.o
   [ 33%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/blur/blurhelper.cpp.o
   [ 36%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/drag/windowmanager.cpp.o
   [ 38%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/themeconfig/ThemeConfig.cpp.o
   [ 41%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/animation/animation.cpp.o
   [ 44%] Building CXX object style/CMakeFiles/kvantum.dir/kvantum_autogen/VR2NXP72AJ/qrc_defaulttheme.cpp.o
   [ 47%] Linking CXX shared library libkvantum.so
   [ 50%] Built target kvantum
   [ 50%] Built target kvantumpreview_autogen_timestamp_deps
   [ 52%] Automatic MOC for target kvantumpreview
   [ 52%] Built target kvantumpreview_autogen
   [ 55%] Generating ui_KvantumPreviewBase.h
   [ 58%] Automatic RCC for KvantumPreviewResources.qrc
   [ 61%] Building CXX object kvantumpreview/CMakeFiles/kvantumpreview.dir/kvantumpreview_autogen/mocs_compilation.cpp.o
   [ 63%] Building CXX object kvantumpreview/CMakeFiles/kvantumpreview.dir/main.cpp.o
   [ 66%] Building CXX object kvantumpreview/CMakeFiles/kvantumpreview.dir/kvantumpreview_autogen/EWIEGA46WW/qrc_KvantumPreviewResources.cpp.o
   [ 69%] Linking CXX executable kvantumpreview
   [ 72%] Built target kvantumpreview
   [ 72%] Built target kvantummanager_autogen_timestamp_deps
   [ 75%] Automatic MOC and UIC for target kvantummanager
   [ 75%] Built target kvantummanager_autogen
   [ 77%] Automatic RCC for kvantummanager.qrc
   [ 80%] Building CXX object kvantummanager/CMakeFiles/kvantummanager.dir/kvantummanager_autogen/mocs_compilation.cpp.o
   [ 83%] Building CXX object kvantummanager/CMakeFiles/kvantummanager.dir/main.cpp.o
   [ 86%] Building CXX object kvantummanager/CMakeFiles/kvantummanager.dir/KvantumManager.cpp.o
   [ 88%] Building CXX object kvantummanager/CMakeFiles/kvantummanager.dir/KvCommand.cpp.o
   [ 91%] Building CXX object kvantummanager/CMakeFiles/kvantummanager.dir/svgicons.cpp.o
   [ 94%] Building CXX object kvantummanager/CMakeFiles/kvantummanager.dir/kvantummanager_autogen/EWIEGA46WW/qrc_kvantummanager.cpp.o
   [ 97%] Linking CXX executable kvantummanager
   [100%] Built target kvantummanager
   

Install Kvantum Manager

1. Use the make install command to install Kvantum

   󰁹 100%  09:52:53  USER: brook HOST: Legion-Siduction  on  master  [?] 
   PCD: 51s Kvantum/Kvantum/build  ❯$ sudo make install
   [sudo] password for brook: 
   Sorry, try again.
   [sudo] password for brook: 
   [  0%] Built target kvantum_autogen_timestamp_deps
   [  2%] Built target kvantum_autogen
   [ 50%] Built target kvantum
   [ 50%] Built target kvantumpreview_autogen_timestamp_deps
   [ 52%] Built target kvantumpreview_autogen
   [ 72%] Built target kvantumpreview
   [ 72%] Built target kvantummanager_autogen_timestamp_deps
   [ 75%] Built target kvantummanager_autogen
   [100%] Built target kvantummanager
   Install the project...
   -- Install configuration: "Release"
   -- Installing: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt6/plugins/styles/libkvantum.so
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes/Kvantum.colors
   -- Installing: /usr/local/bin/kvantumpreview
   -- Installing: /usr/local/bin/kvantummanager
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/applications/kvantummanager.desktop
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/icons/hicolor/scalable/apps/kvantum.svg
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum/
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvAdapta
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvAdapta/KvAdapta.kvconfig
   
   ... excised ...
   
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvRoughGlass/KvRoughGlass.svg
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicity
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicity/KvSimplicity.kvconfig
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicity/KvSimplicity.svg
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicityDark
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicityDark/KvSimplicityDark.kvconfig
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicityDark/KvSimplicityDark.svg
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicityDarkLight
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicityDarkLight/KvSimplicityDarkLight.kvconfig
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicityDarkLight/KvSimplicityDarkLight.svg
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicityTurquoise
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/Kvantum//KvSimplicityTurquoise/KvSimplicityTurquoise.kvconfig
   
   ... excised ...
   
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes//KvMojaveMixed.colors
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes//KvMojaveMixed1.colors
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes//KvOxygen.colors
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes//KvRoughGlass.colors
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes//KvSimplicity.colors
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes//KvSimplicityDark.colors
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes//KvSimplicityDarkLight.colors
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes//KvSimplicityTurquoise.colors
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes//KvYaru.colors
   -- Installing: /usr/local/share/color-schemes//KvantumAlt.colors
   

2. Verify Kvantum installation by viewing the standard themes that are distributed by Kvantum upstream.

   󰁹 100%  09:55:19  USER: brook HOST: Legion-Siduction  on  master  [?] 
   PCD: 11s Kvantum/Kvantum/build  ❯$ ls -la /usr/local/share/Kvantum/
   total 0
   drwxr-xr-x 1 root root 754 Jan 25 09:55 ./
   drwxr-xr-x 1 root root 152 Jan 25 09:55 ../
   drwxr-xr-x 1 root root  58 Jan 25 09:55 KvAdapta/
   drwxr-xr-x 1 root root  74 Jan 25 09:55 KvAdaptaDark/
   drwxr-xr-x 1 root root  66 Jan 25 09:55 KvAmbiance/
   drwxr-xr-x 1 root root  66 Jan 25 09:55 KvAmbience/
   drwxr-xr-x 1 root root  66 Jan 25 09:55 KvantumAlt/
   
   ... truncated ...
   
   

3. I copied some custom Kvantum themes from my Arch installation to the Siduction installation's newly created Kvantum themes folder (under /usr/local).

   󰁹 100%  09:55:55  USER: brook HOST: Legion-Siduction  on  master  [?] 
   Kvantum/Kvantum/build  ❯$ sudo cp -r /media/brook/ARCH_ROOT/usr/share/Kvantum/Prof* /usr/local/share/Kvantum/