So, you’ve just installed a fresh copy of Debian 13. Congratulations! 🎉 Debian is one of the most stable and powerful Linux distributions available today, but a fresh installation often feels pretty barebones. Out of the box, Debian prioritizes stability and freedom, which means you may not get access to proprietary drivers, popular software, or user interface tweaks right away.
But don’t worry — this guide will walk you through the top 10 essential steps you should take after installing Debian 13. These steps will not only improve performance and stability but also help you customize your system, install must-have applications, and make your Linux desktop truly yours.
The best part? Most of these steps apply to any Debian-based distribution, so even if you’re on Debian 12, Ubuntu, or Linux Mint, you’ll still benefit. Let’s begin!
📖 Table of Contents
- Enable
sudofor Your User Account - Add contrib and non-free Repositories
- Set Up System Snapshots with Timeshift
- Install Nvidia Proprietary Drivers
- Customize GNOME with Tweaks and Extensions
- Adjust Touchpad, Display, and Appearance Settings
- Enable Flatpak and Add Flathub Repository
- Install Essential Packages and Fonts
- Tweak Firefox for Better Browsing
- Enhance Terminal with Starship + Run Windows Apps with Bottles
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Final Thoughts
1. Enable sudo for Your User Account
When installing Debian 13, you might have set a root password. If you did, your newly created user account won’t automatically have sudo privileges. This means you can’t use sudo to install or update software — and that gets annoying fast.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Switch to the root user:
suEnter the root password. - Open the sudoers file with nano:
visudo - Scroll down to where the
rootentry is, and add your username below it. Example:yourusername ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL - Save changes with
Ctrl + O, press Enter, and exit withCtrl + X.
Now your account has admin privileges. Test it by running:
sudo apt update
2. Add contrib and non-free Repositories
Debian’s default repositories only include free and open-source software. While that’s great for philosophy, it limits access to useful packages like Nvidia drivers, media codecs, and proprietary utilities.
To unlock them:
- Backup your sources list:
sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list.backup - Edit the sources list:
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list - Comment out existing lines (add
#at the start), then add:deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free-firmware deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free-firmware - Save and exit, then update your system:
sudo apt update
Now you have access to many more software packages.
3. Set Up System Snapshots with Timeshift
A fresh Debian install is the perfect moment to create a system snapshot. This acts as a safety net: if an update or customization breaks your system, you can restore it within minutes.
Install Timeshift:
sudo apt install timeshift
Open Timeshift, select your snapshot type (RSYNC is fine), and include both root (/) and home (/home) directories. Click Create to take your first snapshot.
From now on, you can roll back your system anytime — no need to reinstall Debian if something goes wrong.
4. Install Nvidia Proprietary Drivers
If your PC has an Nvidia GPU, the default open-source nouveau drivers won’t give you the best performance. For gaming, video editing, or CUDA workloads, you need the proprietary drivers.
Steps:
- Install detection package:
sudo apt install nvidia-detect - Run the tool:
nvidia-detect - Install the recommended driver:
sudo apt install nvidia-driver firmware-misc-nonfree - Reboot your system.
To confirm installation:
nvidia-smi
This will show your GPU info and driver version.
5. Customize GNOME with Tweaks and Extensions
Debian 13 ships with GNOME desktop, which is clean but somewhat minimal. To unlock full customization, install:
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks gnome-shell-extension-manager
With GNOME Tweaks, you can:
- Change system fonts and scaling.
- Enable minimize/maximize buttons.
- Center new windows automatically.
With Extensions Manager, you can:
- Install Dash-to-Dock → move dock to bottom or side.
- Enable auto-hide dock, change icon sizes.
- Add extensions like Clipboard Indicator, Weather, and User Themes.
This makes GNOME feel more polished and modern.
6. Adjust Touchpad, Display, and Appearance Settings
If you’re using Debian on a laptop, fine-tuning touchpad settings is a must:
- Enable tap-to-click.
- Adjust pointer speed.
- Choose natural or traditional scrolling.
For appearance:
- Switch between light and dark mode.
- Choose accent colors to personalize the UI.
- Enable large text or bigger cursor under Accessibility for high-resolution monitors.
For performance:
- Go to Power Settings → set profile to High Performance when needed.
7. Enable Flatpak and Add Flathub Repository
Flatpak is a universal app format that lets you install thousands of apps (similar to Snap).
- Install Flatpak:
sudo apt install flatpak - Add Flathub (main app source):
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo - Reboot your system.
- Integrate with GNOME Software:
sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak
Now you can search and install apps like VS Code, Android Studio, and Chrome directly from GNOME Software.
8. Install Essential Packages and Fonts
Debian’s base install doesn’t include many extras. To cover common needs, run:
sudo apt install build-essential curl wget vlc git gparted fonts-firacode
- build-essential → compilers & development tools.
- VLC → versatile media player.
- Git → version control system.
- GParted → disk partition manager.
- Fira Code Nerd Font → better coding font with ligatures.
This ensures your system is ready for both work and entertainment.
9. Tweak Firefox for Better Browsing
Debian comes with Firefox ESR (Extended Support Release). While it’s stable, a few tweaks improve usability:
- Open Settings → Startup → Enable restore previous session.
- Under Tabs, enable warn before closing multiple tabs.
- Enable DRM content for streaming services like Netflix.
- Install useful extensions (uBlock Origin, Dark Reader, Bitwarden).
- Apply a modern theme to match your desktop style.
10. Enhance Terminal with Starship + Run Windows Apps with Bottles
a) Make Your Terminal Beautiful with Starship
Starship is a cross-shell prompt that makes your terminal informative and modern.
- Install a Nerd Font (e.g., Fira Code): Download here.
- Install Starship:
Install Starship: curl -sS https://starship.rs/install.sh | sh
- Add to Bash config:
echo 'eval "$(starship init bash)"' >> ~/.bashrc - Restart terminal → enjoy a clean, modern prompt.
b) Run Windows Apps with Bottles
If you’re switching from Windows, you may need some apps that don’t have Linux versions. Bottles is a front-end for Wine that makes this easier.
Install Bottles (Flatpak recommended):
flatpak install flathub com.usebottles.bottles
You can create environments for gaming or software. While not every Windows app works perfectly, many lightweight apps like Notepad++ or IDM run without issue.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Debian 13 beginner-friendly?
Yes, Debian 13 is stable and reliable, though not as beginner-oriented as Ubuntu. With GNOME tweaks and Flatpak, it becomes very user-friendly.
Q2: Should I always enable non-free repos?
If you need proprietary drivers (Nvidia, Wi-Fi firmware), yes. Otherwise, sticking to free software improves long-term stability.
Q3: Do I need Timeshift if I already back up files?
Yes, Timeshift backs up system configuration, not just files. If an update breaks Debian, Timeshift restores it instantly.
Q4: Can I game on Debian 13?
Yes! With Nvidia drivers, Steam via Flatpak, and Proton, Debian can handle gaming very well.
Q5: Is Flatpak better than Snap?
Flatpak is more widely adopted in Debian ecosystems. It integrates better with GNOME and provides access to Flathub’s huge app store.
12. Final Thoughts
Installing Debian 13 is just the first step. To unlock its full potential, you need to enable sudo, set up repos, install drivers, create backups, customize the UI, and add essential apps.
For casual users, these tweaks make Debian as comfortable as Windows or macOS. For developers, they ensure a powerful, stable environment ready for coding, testing, and deployment.
Take your time to go through each step. By the end, your Debian system will be fast, reliable, and tailored exactly to your workflow.
Tags
Debian 13, Debian post installation, Linux customization, GNOME tweaks, Flatpak, Timeshift, Nvidia drivers, Starship terminal, Bottles Linux, Debian tips
Hashtags
#Debian13 #Linux #PostInstallation #GNOME #Flatpak #LinuxTips #Debian #OpenSource #LinuxDesktop #SysAdmin
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. Commands and tools may vary slightly depending on your Debian edition and hardware. Always double-check your motherboard, GPU, and driver compatibility before installing proprietary software.
