How to Use the New Chromebook Linux Interface

If you recently upgraded your version of Chrome OS, you may have noticed something different when you launch the Linux environment in Chrome OS version 103 and higher. Here’s how to use the new Chrome OS Linux interface.

Starting a Terminal

If you’re used to jumping straight to the shell when you click the Terminal icon, you may wonder how to get back to your shell. It’s easy. Just click on the Linux virtual machine you want to run under the “Linux” section. The default machine in the Linux development environment is called “Penguin.”

When you click “Penguin,” you’ll be back in your favorite shell. You can now get back to coding or just fooling around with the command line inthe Chromebook Linux environment.

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Adding SSH Servers

Another major use for the Linux environment isconnecting to remote servers with SSH. The new interface makes it easy to jump to frequently-used servers.

In the “SSH” section, click theAdd SSHbutton. You’ll see a dialog box that will prompt you to fill in the information you need for your server. Put in your username and the address of the server in the “username@server” format.

MacBook and a Dell laptop running ZorinOS next to each other

If you’vegenerated any keys in the Linux environmentor have one from another computer, you can use them here. Just click the drop-down menu and select your key. If it’s in the Linux filesystem, you may have to selectShow hidden filesfrom the “More” menu. You can also add any other options in the “SSH relay server options” field.

With the server set up, you can select it in the many and jump to it. If you’ve added a key, you can even log in without a password.

Dell monitor showing Windows 10 desktop

Accessing Linux and Terminal Settings

Another significant change to the menu is making Linux and terminal settings more visible. By clickingTerminal Settings, you can change the appearance and other options.

you could also jump to Linux settings by clickingDeveloper Settingsnext to the stylized HTML tag. This will take you to the same Linux development environment menu from the Chrome OS settings menu.

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A Slick New Interface for Chromebook Linux Tasks

The new interface may be different, but it should make your life as a Chromebook Linux user much easier. it’s possible to jump to your favorite SSH servers as well as terminal and Linux settings much more easily than you could in previous versions.

Linux on Chromebook keeps getting better and support for external storage drives in the Chrome OS Linux environment makes it evident.

a person using chromebook on a desk

Linux on Chrome OS (Crostini) doesn’t automatically detect external drives you plug into your Chromebook. But you can easily set one up.

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