How to try out the new Linux Mint sticky notes app
Linux Mint is working on a new app known as “Sticky” to give users the ability to add sticky notes to the desktop on Linux Mint. In Linux Mint fashion, it’s stylish, comfortable to use, and useful. Here’s how to try it out on your system.
Installing the new Linux Mint sticky notes app
The new Linux Mint stick notes app known simply as “Sticky” is still in heavy development. If you’d like to take it for a spin on your Linux system, you will need to build it from the source code they’ve got available on GitHub. Sadly, at this stage, this program is not packaged for any Linux operating system.
Currently, there are detailed instructions on how to build Sticky for Ubuntu, as well as Linux Mint and Debian. Additionally, it is possible to get the app working on Arch Linux through the AUR and other Linuxes if you install all dependencies.
In this section of the guide, we’ll show you how to grab the source code and build the app yourself. To get started, open up a terminal window on the Linux desktop and follow the installation instructions below that match your Linux OS.
Build for Ubuntu and Linux Mint
On both Ubuntu and Linux Mint, you can get Sticky built quite quickly. The reason? The developers behind the app are targeting Ubuntu and Linux Mint as their platform of choice.
To start the installation, you will need to get the build dependencies set up. To do that, make use of the following terminal command below.
sudo apt install debhelper dh-python gir1.2-glib-2.0 gir1.2-gtk-3.0 gir1.2-xapp-1.0 gir1.2-xapp-1.0 python3 python3-gi python3-xapp git
After installing the various dependencies needed to build the source code, use the git clone command to grab the code. This download should only take a couple of seconds to complete.
git clone https://github.com/collinss/sticky.git
Once the files are on your computer, use the CD command to move into the code folder. Then, use the dpkg-buildpackage command to generate an installable DEB package of the app.
cd sticky sudo dpkg-buildpackage --no-sign
You can then install the latest version of Sticky on your computer using the Apt command.
sudo apt install ./sticky*.deb
Build for Debian
Debian Linux is identical to Ubuntu in architecture. The only real difference is that Ubuntu has newer packages, as well as some slight changes added. However, due to the similarity, you will be able to download and build the code with no problem on your system.
To start, install all of the required dependencies on Debian that you’ll need to use Sticky.
sudo apt install debhelper dh-python gir1.2-glib-2.0 gir1.2-gtk-3.0 gir1.2-xapp-1.0 gir1.2-xapp-1.0 python3 python3-gi python3-xapp git
After the installation of the various dependencies on your system, grab the latest code from the internet using the git clone command and move into the code folder using the CD command.
git clone https://github.com/collinss/sticky.git
cd sticky
From here, build the software on Debian and use the Apt command to install it.
sudo dpkg-buildpackage --no-sign sudo apt install ./sticky*.deb
Build for Arch Linux
On Arch Linux, the Sticky app is in the Arch Linux AUR. You’ll still have to build the code from scratch, but everything will be automatic thanks to the AUR helper Trizen.
To get started, make use of the commands below to get Trizen set up and running.
sudo pacman -S git base-devel
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/trizen.git
cd trizen
makepkg -sri
Following the installation of Trizen, use the trizen -S commands to set up Sticky on your computer.
trizen -S xapp
trizen -S sticky-git
Other Linuxes
If you want to use Sticky on a Linux operating system not listed here, you will need to take matters into your own hands. For more information, head over to the Sticky GitHub page.
Linux Mint sticky notes app
The Sticky app is quite user-friendly, which is a nice change from the other Linux sticky note apps. To start using it, launch the app. Then, follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Step 1: The first time you launch Sticky, a blank note will appear. Close it. Or, write something in it if you choose.
After closing the first note, make your way to the Sticky UI. Then, look for the “Desktop” section in the UI.
Step 2: Locate the “new note” icon at the bottom of the screen, and click on it with the mouse. When you click on the “new note” button, a sticky will appear on the desktop.
Step 3: Click on the new sticky that appears on your desktop, and write some text in it.
Step 4: Once you’ve finished writing out a sticky, find the menu in the top-left corner of the note, and click on it with the mouse.
Inside the note menu, you will see several customization options, including font style and note color. Use these options to customize your note.
Step 5: Click on the pencil icon next to the note menu to name your new sticky note. Your note will change from “Untitled” in the Sticky UI.
Repeat this process to create as many sticky notes as necessary.
I have just installed Notes on my Linux Mint 21 5.4.12. Actually love it BUT…… I do not seem to be able to close/remove the note from my desktop without deleting it. That is a bit of a nuisance in my particular workflow. I love being able to make notes but when I have moved onto another task I want to get the note off of my desktop but keep it in the program folder. Am I missing something? Otherwise, it all works just fine and dandy and is bloody useful but I do need to remove it from screen when I have finished the task I created it for.
Now its finally made it into Mint 21, its terrible!.
It will only appear on the desktop if your click the panel applet – not a lot of use as a “Sticky” note. I tried re-installing several times on 3 different computers, always with the same problem. There also seems to be a problem with the text in it – it appears truncated, or at least, the tops of characters are missing.
It didn’t work on Debian 11:
after using “sudo apt install ./sticky*.deb” the output was:
“Unsupported file ./sticky*.deb given on commandline”
Sad to hear that it didn’t work for you.
I love this applet!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, LM team! It really helps my productivity with low overhead.