GNU/Shark

A simple GTK UI to install GPU drivers, performance tweaks, and gaming tools on Arch-based distributions.
App ID: org.gnushark.GNUShark • Binary/CLI: python3 path/to/app.py [--version]

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Overview

GNU/Shark is a small control center for Linux gaming. It detects your hardware, guides you to compatible items, and automates safe installation using your system’s available package tools. When possible it prefers official repositories, falling back to Flatpak (Flathub) and then AUR.

Tip: The UI is minimal and responsive (grid spacing, section headers, heuristic window sizing). All actions run with a safe PATH and, when needed, elevate via polkit (pkexec) or sudo.

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Features

• I18N (PT/EN) with a safe fallback and logging of missing keys
• Smart install source selection: Official repo ➜ Flatpak ➜ AUR
• Privilege escalation: polkit (pkexec) or sudo with a “safe” PATH
• Package automation: robust pacman/pamac integration (auto-yes only where appropriate)
• Hardware detection: CPU/GPU checks and blocking of incompatible items
• ZRAM auto‑tuning: size, compression, and swappiness + current state report
• Multilib helper: assisted enablement when required (e.g., lib32-*)
• Consistent UI: unified grid spacing, titles/subtitles (subtitle 12pt)
• Window sizing heuristics based on the desktop work area
• Dedicated Flathub flow (Repositories submenu)

Included items (examples)

Drivers: Intel Mesa, NVIDIA Proprietary, AMD Mesa/RADV
Optimizations: GameMode, Tuned, cpupower, ZRAM, Preload
Tools: Steam, Lutris, Heroic, ProtonPlus, Wine, Bottles, MangoHUD, Steam Acolyte
Extras: GOverlay, Python Steam, CoreCtrl (AMD), GreenWithEnvy (NVIDIA), AdwSteamGtk

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Compatibility

Designed for Arch Linux and derivatives (e.g., Manjaro, CachyOS), using whichever of pacman, paru, yay, or pamac is available.

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Runtime Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• GTK 3 via PyGObject
• Standard system tools as needed (pacman, flatpak, etc.)

Arch packages you’ll likely want

sudo pacman -S --needed python python-gobject gtk3 pciutils   flatpak zenity expect  # optional but recommended

• pciutils is used for GPU detection (lspci).
• zenity enables nicer confirmation dialogs from shell flows.
• expect enables safe auto-yes for specific pacman/pamac prompts.

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Getting Started (from source)

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/gabriel-ruas-santos/gnu-shark.git
   cd gnu-shark

2. Run the app:

   ./app.py

   Or:

   python3 app.py

3. Check the version (CLI):

   python3 app.py --version

The app will pick the best available terminal and package manager automatically. When root is required, it prefers pkexec (polkit); if unavailable, it will fall back to sudo.

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How installs are chosen

• First, GNU/Shark resolves missing packages and checks what’s in official repos.
• If something isn’t in official repos but is available on Flathub, it can install via Flatpak.
• If still missing, it builds via AUR using your available helper (paru/yay) or pamac.
• Multilib is prompted and can be auto‑enabled when required by 32‑bit packages.

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Special notes

NVIDIA headers / DKMS

If you choose the DKMS variant (e.g., on -zen, -lts, -hardened, -cachyos kernels), GNU/Shark will recommend installing kernel headers first, and can help regenerate initramfs afterwards.

Multilib

Some items (e.g., Steam, Wine, MangoHUD) require lib32-* packages. GNU/Shark offers to enable the [multilib] repo automatically; you can also do it manually and run sudo pacman -Syy.

Translations

UI language auto‑detects (PT/EN). Unknown strings safely fall back and are logged for easy contribution.

Flathub

There is a dedicated card under Repositories to enable Flathub quickly if Flatpak is present (or to install Flatpak first and then add Flathub).

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Troubleshooting

• No terminal found: the app can run “headless” and write a log under /tmp/…; you’ll be offered to open the log.
• AUR helper missing: the app can install paru/yay (or use pamac build) when needed, or it will stop with an explanatory message.
• Hardware blocked: If your hardware is incompatible with an item (e.g., installing Intel drivers on non‑Intel GPUs), the app will explain why and prevent the action.

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Contributing

Translations and item definitions are straightforward to extend. Feel free to open issues or PRs on the project page.

Project page: https://github.com/gabriel-ruas-santos/gnu-shark/wiki

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Disclaimer

GNU/Shark tries to make safe choices and ask for confirmation before taking impactful actions, but you are still in control. Review prompts carefully, especially when enabling repositories or installing kernel‑level components.