How to Install Tilix on Ubuntu 26.04 – Complete Guide

Learn how to install the Tilix split-screen terminal. We will show you how to split your window, set shortcuts, configure a drop-down screen, and fix common warnings.

Tilix Installation Methods Compared

Use the comparison table below to check where the files come from, what version you get, and how you receive future updates.

Make sure the Universe repository is turned on so Ubuntu knows where to find community software. Open your terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T and run:

sudo add-apt-repository universe -y

Refresh your system’s package list so it registers the newly added repository files:

sudo apt update

Install Tilix on your system. Ubuntu will automatically locate and download any supporting files needed for the terminal to run:

sudo apt install tilix -y

Verify that Tilix is installed correctly and check the version information by running:

apt-cache policy tilix

Add the community PPA to your system software sources:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/tilix -y

Update your software index files to register the new version options from the PPA:

sudo apt update

If you do not have Tilix, this command installs it. If you already have it, this command safely updates it to the PPA’s newer version:

sudo apt install tilix -y

Download the stable zip file from GitHub. To keep these steps working in the future, you can replace 1.9.5 with any newer version listed on their page:

wget https://github.com/gnunn1/tilix/releases/download/1.9.5/tilix.zip

Extract the files directly into your root directory so they are placed in the correct system folders:

sudo unzip tilix.zip -d /

Manual setups do not register settings automatically. Run this command to compile its settings database so the app preferences open correctly:

sudo glib-compile-schemas /usr/share/glib-2.0/schemas/

Press the super key (Windows key) on your keyboard to open your applications search bar, type “Tilix”, and click the app icon.

Open a default terminal window and launch Tilix by typing its name:

tilix

Check active version details:

tilix --version

1. For the APT Universe and Launchpad PPA Methods:

Both methods integrate directly with your system’s software manager. You can update Tilix along with your other desktop apps by running:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade tilix -y

2. For the Manual GitHub Installation Method:

Manual setups require downloading the latest ZIP file and extracting it again. Download the new archive, extract it over your existing files, and rebuild the configurations:

# Fetch new ZIP from releases page (replace 1.9.5 with the latest version as needed)
wget https://github.com/gnunn1/tilix/releases/download/1.9.5/tilix.zip

# Extract it over the existing system folders
sudo unzip -o tilix.zip -d /

# Recompile the settings database
sudo glib-compile-schemas /usr/share/glib-2.0/schemas/

When you open Tilix, you might see a warning message that says: “VTE configuration issue detected”. If this warning is active, Tilix cannot remember your current folder path when you split the screen. You can fix this warning easily using one of these two methods:

Method A: Enable login shell (Easiest)

Open Tilix, open Preferences from the top menu, select your profile (usually Default), click the Command tab, and check the box that says “Run command as a login shell”. Restart the app to apply the changes.

Method B: Set up vte.sh via the terminal

If you prefer using the terminal, run these commands to create a link to the required system file and add it to your shell configuration profile:

# Create a link to the standard system search path
sudo ln -sf /etc/profile.d/vte-2.91.sh /etc/profile.d/vte.sh

# Add the sourcing instructions to the end of your ~/.bashrc file
echo -e "\nif [ \$TILIX_ID ] || [ \$VTE_VERSION ]; then\n    source /etc/profile.d/vte.sh\nfi" >> ~/.bashrc

Reload your terminal profile by running source ~/.bashrc or restart your terminal window.

To configure Tilix as your system’s default terminal handler (so that pressing Ctrl+Alt+T opens Tilix instead of the default GNOME terminal), run this command:

sudo update-alternatives --config x-terminal-emulator

You will see a list of terminal options on your screen. Type the number corresponding to /usr/bin/tilix and press Enter.

Tilix includes a built-in drop-down mode that runs in the background. To make the terminal window slide down when you press a key (like F12):

• Open Ubuntu Settings and go to Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.
• Scroll to the bottom and select Custom Shortcuts, then click the “+” (Add) button.
• In the box, set the Name to Tilix Quake Mode.
• Set the Command to tilix --quake.
• Click Set Shortcut, press the key you want to use (like F12), and click Add.

Pressing your chosen key will now trigger a sliding drop-down terminal window overlay from the top of your screen.

Tilix supports custom color profiles. You can create JSON-formatted theme files and place them in the directory: ~/.config/tilix/schemes/. Alternatively, you can use automated shell script installers like Gogh to choose and load themes instantly:

# Create custom schemes folder if it does not exist
mkdir -p ~/.config/tilix/schemes/

# Run the Gogh theme installer script
bash -c "$(curl -sLo- https://git.io/vQgMr)"

Once loaded, right-click inside Tilix, open Profile Preferences > Colors, and select your new theme from the color scheme dropdown menu.

Remove the program binaries and dependencies matching your selected installation channel:

For APT Universe and Launchpad PPA installations:

sudo apt remove tilix -y
sudo apt autoremove --purge -y

For Manual GitHub Release installations:

Delete the extracted files from your system directories:

sudo rm -f /usr/bin/tilix
sudo rm -rf /usr/share/tilix/
sudo rm -f /usr/share/applications/com.gexperts.Tilix.desktop
sudo rm -f /usr/share/metainfo/com.gexperts.Tilix.appdata.xml
sudo rm -f /usr/share/glib-2.0/schemas/com.gexperts.Tilix.gschema.xml

Clean up PPA database records to make sure no conflicts occur on future software checks:

sudo apt install ppa-purge -y
sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/tilix -y

Uninstalling the binary files leaves user profiles and settings intact. To perform a complete clean install, purge your settings database and delete local config folders:

# Purge settings from the system database
dconf reset -f /com/gexperts/Tilix/

# Remove custom theme and schemes files
rm -rf ~/.config/tilix/ ~/.local/share/tilix/

Finally, if you manually extracted schema configurations, recompile the system GLib database to clean up unused registries: sudo glib-compile-schemas /usr/share/glib-2.0/schemas/.

Use the links below to access the official manual, forums, user discussions, and support pages for Tilix:

• Official Tilix User Documentation: Read the complete handbook covering profiles, keybindings, and shell integration.
• Official Tilix GitHub Repository: Review the open-source code, browse current development forks, or file issue reports.
• Gogh Color Schemes Database: Browse and download hundreds of community color themes compatible with Tilix profiles.
• Ubuntu Tilix Package Search: Track active package versions and updates across active LTS releases.