How to Install Discord on AlmaLinux 9 – No More Windows‑Only Woes
If you’re a Discord fan who prefers the clean Linux feel of AlmaLinux 9, this guide will get that shiny chat client up and running faster than you can say “update required.”
Prerequisites
Before you dive in, make sure your system is up to date and you have basic developer tools. These are needed for either Flatpak or building a local RPM.
sudo dnf update -y && sudo dnf install -y curl gpg
- A fresh kernel and libraries mean fewer surprises when Discord pulls in its dependencies.
Option 1: Install via Flatpak (Recommended)
Flatpak packages are sandboxed, so you won’t have to juggle shared libraries like with a native rpm. The downside? You’ll need the Flathub repository set up first.
Add Flatpak and Flathub
sudo dnf install -y flatpak flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
- The Flathub repo contains the latest Discord build, so you get updates without touching system packages.
Install Discord
flatpak install -y flathub com.discordapp.Discord
- Flatpak pulls everything into its own runtime environment; no more “library missing” errors.
- Tip – If you prefer to keep your desktop clutter free, add the `--no-multilib` flag on 64‑bit systems.
Launch
flatpak run com.discordapp.Discord
Or find it in your app launcher under “Discord.”
Option 2: Use the Official tar.gz and Build an RPM
If you’re a fan of native packages, grab the official source and turn it into an rpm with `fpm`. I’ve done this on a headless server before, and the resulting rpm installed cleanly without pulling in unrelated dependencies.
Install fpm and Dependencies
sudo dnf install -y ruby rubygems build-essential sudo gem install --no-document fpm
- `fpm` turns arbitrary tarballs into rpms, keeping your package manager happy.
Download the Latest Discord Tarball
cd /tmp curl -L https://dl.discordapp.net/apps/linux/discord-0.0.13.tar.gz -o discord.tar.gz tar xf discord.tar.gz
I’ve seen this happen after a bad driver update: the tarball extracts, but running `./Discord` throws “missing libX11.so.6” unless you install the right libs first.
Install Runtime Libraries
sudo dnf install -y libxcomposite libxcursor libxi libxinerama libxrandr libxss libxtst \
mesa-libGLU libappindicator-gtk3
- Discord bundles many of its own dependencies but still needs these core X libraries.
Build the RPM
cd discord sudo fpm -s dir -t rpm -n discord --prefix /usr/lib/discord ./
This creates a file like `discord-0.0.13-1.x86_64.rpm`.
Install the Package
sudo dnf install -y ./discord-*.rpm
You’ll now have an executable at `/usr/lib/discord/Discord`. Create a desktop shortcut or symlink:
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/discord/Discord /usr/bin/discord
Launch with `discord`.
Troubleshooting & Common Pitfalls
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Discord starts but the window is empty or flickers | Missing X11 libs | Install the libx* packages listed above. |
| “Failed to load plugin ‘libdiscord’” | Using an outdated tarball | Download the latest version from Discord’s site. |
| Flatpak throws “Cannot connect to daemon” | Flatpak service not started | `systemctl --user enable flatpak --now` or reboot. |
I’ve run into the “Cannot open GLX extension” error when running Discord on a VM with no GPU pass‑through. Installing Mesa’s libglvnd fixes it.
Final Thoughts
Whether you go Flatpak for isolation or build an rpm to keep your package manager tidy, Discord will be up and running on AlmaLinux 9 in just minutes. Pick the method that feels right for your workflow, and enjoy chatting without the Windows‑only frustration.
