PCDeck for Linux: Installation & Security Documentation
Security-conscious Linux users should never run piped shell scripts without auditing what they do. This page provides an exhaustive technical breakdown of install.sh, its dependencies, file destinations, network bindings, and clean uninstall instructions.
Audited 1 September 2026 · Bash Script Transparency · Zero Telemetry
Safe & Minimal. The PCDeck Linux installer (install.sh) operates strictly within user space (~/.local/share/pcdeck). It does not require root privileges for daily execution, installs standard open-source Python dependencies (FastAPI, Uvicorn, Pillow, PyAudio), binds exclusively to port 8000 on your local network, and contains zero analytics, trackers, or external cloud telemetry.
1. The 1-Line Command
curl -sSL https://pcdeck.vercel.app/install.sh | bash
You can also inspect the raw script directly in your browser or terminal prior to execution: https://pcdeck.vercel.app/install.sh.
2. What the script actually does
The installation script executes the following discrete steps:
-
Environment & Architecture Check
Verifies the system is running Linux (x86_64, aarch64 / ARM64, or armv7l) and confirms Python 3.8+ is installed.
-
Dependency Resolution
Detects the host package manager (
apt,pacman,dnf) and installs required system utilities if missing:python3-pip,python3-venv, and X11/Wayland input support tools. -
Isolated User Space Installation
Creates an isolated directory at
~/.local/share/pcdeckwith a dedicated Python virtual environment (~/.local/share/pcdeck/venv), preventing conflicts with system Python libraries. -
Downloads Core PCDeck Server
Fetches the lightweight PCDeck server module and static Web Remote assets into the local directory.
-
Desktop Entry & Launcher
Adds an executable shortcut to
~/.local/bin/pcdeckand an optional.desktopentry in~/.local/share/applications/so you can launch PCDeck from your application menu.
3. File system locations
| Path | Purpose |
|---|---|
~/.local/share/pcdeck/ | Application root directory, virtual environment, and server scripts. |
~/.local/bin/pcdeck | User-executable launch script. |
~/.local/share/applications/pcdeck.desktop | Desktop menu shortcut. |
~/.config/systemd/user/pcdeck.service | Optional systemd user service for background launch. |
4. Network & Security Profile
- Port Binding: Binds to local port
8000over TCP. - Network Isolation: All WebSockets (
/ws,/ws/screen,/ws/audio) communicate strictly across the local subnet. No traffic is routed through cloud proxies or external servers. - Permissions: Runs entirely under your current standard user account. Does not require setuid, sudo at runtime, or kernel modules.
5. How to uninstall cleanly
To completely remove PCDeck and all associated files from your Linux system, run this single cleanup command in terminal:
rm -rf ~/.local/share/pcdeck ~/.local/bin/pcdeck ~/.local/share/applications/pcdeck.desktop
Read the Full Security Architecture
Learn more about PCDeck's zero-telemetry local network security model and SHA-256 binary validation.