This article explains how to get the open‑source image editor GIMP running on Rocky Linux 8 and 9, walking readers through the most straightforward methods for each version. It covers installing from the default repository on EL9, pulling GIMP via EPEL on EL8, adding RPM Fusion to reach newer releases, and compiling from source when other options fail or custom modules are needed. The author also warns about common pitfalls such as dependency conflicts that arise from mixing repos, kernel support limitations for the newest X11 libraries, and missing optional plugins that require external libraries. In short, a quick install on EL9 is just one command, EL8 needs EPEL enabled first, while RPM Fusion or source builds are recommended if you want the latest features or more control over the build process.

How to Install GIMP on Rocky Linux EL9 or EL8

If you’re looking to get that powerful, open‑source image editor up and running on Rocky Linux, this article walks through the cleanest ways to install it—whether you’re on EL9 or the older EL8. No extra fluff, just the steps you need and why they matter.

Why You Might Want GIMP

GIMP is a full‑blown alternative to Photoshop that’s free, cross‑platform, and surprisingly fast on modern hardware. I’ve seen people try to use Photoshop on Linux via Wine or remote desktop only to get laggy UI; GIMP runs natively, so the experience feels native.

Checking if GIMP Is Already Available

yum list gimp --available

Why bother? If the package is already in your repo, you’re done. It saves you time and keeps your system’s dependency graph tidy.

Installing from Rocky’s Base Repository (EL9)

sudo dnf install -y gimp

This pulls the latest version that Rocky ships with—usually a stable 2.10 release that works out of the box. If you’re on EL9 and don’t mind sticking to that build, this is the simplest path.

Installing from EPEL on EL8

Rocky 8 doesn’t ship GIMP in its core repos, but EPEL does. First, enable EPEL:

sudo dnf install -y epel-release

Then install:

sudo dnf install -y gimp

Why the detour? EPEL maintains newer packages than the base repo, so you’ll get a version that includes recent bug fixes and features. I once upgraded an EL8 system to GIMP 2.10.30 via EPEL because the default was stuck at 2.8.12—no surprise there.

Using RPM Fusion for the Latest Builds

If you’re after the very newest release (2.10.34+), consider RPM Fusion, which offers pre‑compiled binaries that outdate the official repos:

sudo dnf install -y https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/el/rpmfusion-free-release-9.noarch.rpm
sudo dnf install -y gimp

The downside? You’re pulling from a third‑party source, so make sure you trust it—though RPM Fusion is widely used in the Fedora/RedHat ecosystem.

Building GIMP From Source (Last Resort)

Sometimes dependencies clash or you need a custom build. Clone the repo and compile:

sudo dnf groupinstall -y "Development Tools"
sudo dnf install -y gtk3-devel libpng-devel jasper-devel librsvg2-devel librsvg2-tools
git clone https://github.com/GNOME/gimp.git
cd gimp
mkdir build && cd build
meson .. --prefix=/usr/local
ninja
sudo ninja install

Why go the source route? It gives you control over optional modules (e.g., G'MIC plugins) and lets you patch bugs before upstream releases. But it also means you’re responsible for future updates.

Common Pitfalls

• Dependency hell: Mixing repos can lead to “conflicting packages.” Stick to one repository source when possible.
• Old kernel support: EL8’s kernel might not support the newest X11 libraries required by GIMP 2.10+. Upgrade if you hit import errors.
• Missing extensions: Some plugins require external libraries; read the README for each plugin.

Bottom Line

• For a quick, reliable install on EL9, run sudo dnf install gimp.
• On EL8, enable EPEL first, then install.
• If you want the newest features, pull from RPM Fusion or build from source.

Give it a shot; GIMP’s interface will feel at home on your Rocky desktop in no time.