---
title: Debian
description: Install the Punktfunk host on Debian 13 or newer with apt — including LMDE 7.
---

For **Debian 13 ("trixie") or newer**, and **LMDE 7**. Debian 12 is too old (glibc 2.36, the
package needs 2.39) — [build from source](/docs/build-from-source) there, or upgrade.

> **Desktop matters more than distro here.** Debian 13's GNOME (48) and Sway (1.10) can host; its
> KDE (KWin 6.3) is below the floor, and a Cinnamon desktop (Linux Mint, LMDE) can only host through
> gamescope. [What each desktop can do, and what Linux Mint 22 can't](/docs/requirements#cinnamon-linux-mint-and-lmde).

## 1. GPU driver

- **NVIDIA:** the driver lives in `non-free`, which a default install doesn't enable. Enable it,
  install, reboot:

  ```sh
  sudo sed -i 's/^Components: .*/Components: main contrib non-free non-free-firmware/' /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.sources
  sudo apt update && sudo apt install nvidia-driver firmware-misc-nonfree
  ```

  If `nvidia-smi` can't talk to the driver afterwards, Secure Boot is in the way — see
  [Troubleshooting](/docs/troubleshooting#nvidia-smi-says-it-cant-communicate-with-the-driver).
- **AMD / Intel:** nothing to install — Mesa's Vulkan and VAAPI drivers are already there (Intel's
  `intel-media-va-driver` is in `non-free`; the host package recommends it).

## 2. Install the host

The repo is public and signed — the `debian` in the URL is the package format, it's the same repo
Ubuntu uses. The browser console, `punktfunk-web`, comes along automatically:

<Install platform="debian" />

Updates ride along with `sudo apt upgrade`; restart the host afterwards
(`systemctl --user restart punktfunk-host`) — or let the [console do it](/docs/updating).

## 3. Let it use your controllers

Join the `input` group (virtual gamepads go through `/dev/uinput`), then **log out and back in**:

```sh
sudo usermod -aG input "$USER"
```

Want the **virtual Steam Deck controller** (paddles, trackpads, gyro)? Also join the `punktfunk`
group — [what it gates and why it's separate](/docs/gamescope#nobara-and-other-autologin-display-managers).

## 4. Start it

From a terminal inside your desktop session:

```sh
systemctl --user enable --now punktfunk-host punktfunk-web
```

Debian ships no firewall enabled, so there is nothing to open. If you run one, the package installed
profiles for ufw and firewalld — [Ports & firewall](/docs/ports).

**Cinnamon (LMDE 7):** the host can't stream the Cinnamon desktop itself; it streams games through
gamescope instead. Add `sudo apt install punktfunk-gamescope` and put
`PUNKTFUNK_COMPOSITOR=gamescope` in `~/.config/punktfunk/host.env`, then restart the host —
[Steam / gamescope](/docs/gamescope) takes it from there.

**That's the install.** Continue with the [Quick Start from step 3](/docs/quickstart#3-open-the-web-console)
— open the console, pair a client, stream.

## When you want more

- `punktfunk-host detect-conflicts` tells you if Sunshine or Apollo is also running;
  [Troubleshooting](/docs/troubleshooting) starts from the symptom.
- Your desktop's particulars — [GNOME](/docs/gnome), [Sway](/docs/sway), [gamescope](/docs/gamescope).
- Stream with nobody logged in — [Running as a service](/docs/running-as-a-service).
- The Linux **client** isn't packaged for Debian (it needs a newer glibc) — use the
  [Flatpak](/docs/install-client#linux-desktop-flatpak) to stream *to* a Debian box.
- Track `main` instead of releases — [Release channels](/docs/channels).
