Amfora is a sleek, lightweight, CLI-based web browser made for UNIX-based systems. The software is free to use under the open-source project and has its source code available for community contribution and development. As such, the browser works best at navigating the Gemini protocol, but with a simpler, more streamlined approach to web browsing. Thus, it works for those who love privacy, and minimalism or simply want to try the Gemini protocol as a way of experiencing alternative internet protocols. For this, we have prepared the following guide to help readers with how to install Amfora on most Linux distributions.
What is Amfora?
Amfora is a terminal-based web browser, solely designed to navigate the Gemini protocol. As such, it could be considered somewhat of a niche software to have, but at the same time, it’s lightweight enough to allow users to have an alternative to traditional browsing. Keeping in line with that, the software ensures a minimalist approach and offers a text-focused web browsing UI that can be controlled from within the terminal. Although it is more suitable for use on UNIX-based systems, this doesn’t mean you can’t use it on other operating systems like Windows or macOS.
As a web browser, Amfora remains a fast, resource-efficient, and suitable choice for enthusiasts and developers alike. However, being lightweight doesn’t mean that the web browser doesn’t offer features. It supports multiple tabs, bookmarks, and colors. Furthermore, since it primarily caters to the Gemini protocol, users can be free from the privacy concerns of regular websites.
Features of Amfora
To better understand Amfora as a web browser, it’s best to know the features it offers, such as:
- TOFU support and Error handling
- URL browsing
- Multiple tabs supported
- ANSI color codes for web pages
- Styled pages supported
- Forward and Backward history available for each tab
- Charset support with over 55 characters
- In-built searches
- Bookmarks
- Community and Developer Themes
- Proxies support
- You can run HTTP or Gopher with a Gemini server
- Client Certification
- Web streaming
Installing Amfora On Linux Distributions
Now that you know more about Amfora, if you want to use it, you need to install it on your system. If you are running any Linux distribution, we have listed a number of methods you can use to install Amfora. All you have to do is:
Method 1. Install Amfora Using A Tar Package
It is the most reliable method that will work with any Linux distro. Just follow the steps below to install Amfora on Linux:
Step 1. First, go to the official Amfora’s GitHub releases page and download the Tar package for your system.
Step 1.1- Or you can download the package by simply using the following command:
wget https://github.com/makeworld-the-better-one/amfora/releases/download/v1.8.0/amfora-v1.8.0-linux-x86_64.tar.gzStep 2. Now, extract the archive:
tar -xvzf amfora-v1.8.0-linux-x86_64.tar.gzStep 3. Finally, move the package to a directory in your PATH:
sudo mv amfora /usr/local/bin/Step 4. You can always verify the installation:
amfora --versionMethod 2. Install Amfora On Linux Using Cargo (Rust Package Manager)
Since Amfora is written in Rust, you can use Cargo to install it from the Rust package manager. This method is also suitable for most Linux distributions, as long it has Rust and Cargo installed.
Step 1. Start by installing Rust and Cargo:
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh
source $HOME/.cargo/envStep 2. Now, install Amfora using Cargo:
cargo install amforaMethod 3. Using Snap To Install Amfora On Linux
The following is a popular method to install Amfora on any Linux distro. All you have to do is:
Step 1. First, install Snap on your system:
For Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapdFor Fedora
sudo dnf install snapd
sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snapFor Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S snapd
sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket
sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snapStep 2. Then, install Amfora via Snap:
sudo snap install amfora --edgeMethod 4. Installing Amfora Using Homebrew
Those systems running Homebrew (including macOS) can also install Amfora:
Step 1. First, install Homebrew:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"Step 2. Then, install Amfora:
brew install amforaMethod 5. Compile Amfora From Source
Developers and advanced users can always build Amfora from Source:
Using RUST
Step 1. Start by installing Rust and Cargo
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh
source $HOME/.cargo/envStep 2. Now, clone the Amfora repository from GitHub:
git clone https://github.com/makeworld-the-better-one/amfora.git
cd amforaStep 3. Finally, build and install Amfora:
cargo install --path Using MAKEFILE
You can also go the traditional way and use makefile to compile Amfora:
Step 1. Start by cloning the official GitHub repository:
git clone https://github.com/makeworld-the-better-one/amforaStep 2. Now, navigate to the folder where you downloaded the file:
cd~/downloadStep 3. Finally, compile the software:
make
sudo make installStep 3.1- If you also want to install the Desktop files, then run the following command:
sudo make desktopUsing GO
Similarly, you can also use Go to compile Amfora:
Step 1. Like the previous method, clone the Amfora repository
git clone https://github.com/makeworld-the-better-one/amfora.gitStep 2. Now, change to the download directory:
cd~/downloadStep 3. Next, build the software:
go buildStep 4. Finally, install the binary:
sudo mv amfora /usr/local/bin/Method 6. Install Amfora On Linux via Pre-built Binaries
Step 1. Start by visiting the Amfora GitHub releases page
Step 2. Now, download the appropriate file for your system:
Step 3. Then, make the binary executable:
chmod +x amfora_<version>Step 4. Move the binary to a directory in your PATH and that’s it:
sudo mv amfora_1.9.2_linux_64-bit /usr/local/bin/amforaMethod 7. Installing Amfora via Flatpak
Step 1. Add the Flathub repository:
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoStep 2. Then, install Amfora:
flatpak install flathub com.github.makeworld_the_better_one.amforaMethod 8. Install Amfora On Linux Using The Native Package Managers
Note- Amfora is currently unavailable in the default Ubuntu/Debian and Fedora repositories. Thus, use the methods mentioned above. However, for other distros, you can directly install it using the commands we have listed below:
Arch Linux
Step 1. Start by installing an AUR helper like YAY:
sudo pacman -S yayStep 2. Install Amfora using the AUR helper:
yay -S amforaAlpine Linux
Step 1. You have to enable the community repository on Alpine Linux to install Amfora, Thus:
Step 1.a- You need to open the /etc/apk/repositories file, using a text editor like vi or nano.
sudo vi /etc/apk/repositories
sudo nano /etc/apk/repositoriesStep 1.b- Then, add the community repository URL to the file:
https://<mirror-url>/alpine/<version>/communityStep 1.c- Save and exit the text editor:
Step 2. Now, update the package:
sudo apk updateStep 3. Finally, install Amfora using APK:
sudo apk add amforaGentoo
emerge www-client/amforaVoid Linux (XBPS)
sudo xbps-install -S amforaNixOS (Nix Package Manager)
nix-env -iA nixpkgs.amfora