Usage guide

How to train your squash helper

A friendly overview of the main SquashMate flows, keeping the technical behavior clear.

Step 01

Install an AppImage

Download SquashMate, choose your AppImage, confirm the app name and icon details, then let the helper create the launcher sparkle.

Step 02

Install a .deb

Select a Debian package and SquashMate asks pkexec for permission before handing installation to the system package tools.

Step 03

Manage Installed Apps

Open the managed apps view to launch, inspect, or uninstall apps that SquashMate knows about.

Step 04

Log Locations

Logs are designed to be readable and useful for tracing install, launch, and uninstall steps. Check the app data/log area for session details.

Step 05

Known Limitations

SquashMate focuses on AppImage and .deb workflows. It does not replace your system package manager, sandbox apps, or validate every third-party installer.

Quick start

From download to desktop launcher

Download the latest .deb, install SquashMate on your Debian or Ubuntu-family desktop, then launch it and choose AppImage or .deb packages to manage.

sudo dpkg -i squashmate_*.deb

# Or open the .deb with your software centre.

squashmate

# Then follow the mascot-guided flow.

Improvements applied

The project direction emphasizes clearer install flows, safer uninstall behavior, predictable launcher generation, practical logging, and room for future polish like:

Richer app metadata detectionUpdate notifications for managed AppImagesMore package format experimentsThemeable mascot moodsBackup and restore for managed app entries