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06 Numbers and Powers

Install Cosmic Desktop Fedora: A Complete Guide

Card No. 06·1394 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Install pace (min/GB) 7.50 min/GB
Install speed (GB/min)
8.00 GB/min
Result
Time to install (min)
15 min
You entered
Disk space needed (GB)
2 GB
You entered
You enter
Time to install (min), Disk space needed (GB)
You get
Install pace (min/GB), Install speed (GB/min)
Rounding
2 dp

Yes, you can install the COSMIC desktop on Fedora, and this guide shows you exactly how. COSMIC is the new desktop environment from System76, the company behind Pop!_OS, and while it is still in alpha, it is already installable on Fedora 40 and 41 via a community-maintained Copr repository. You will get a polished, Rust-based desktop with a tiling window manager, but you should expect some rough edges because it is pre-release software.

What is COSMIC?

COSMIC (Computer Operating System Main Interface Composition) is a desktop environment written from scratch in the Rust programming language. It is developed by System76, the company that makes Linux laptops and also maintains the Pop!_OS distribution. Unlike GNOME or KDE, which have been around for decades, COSMIC is a fresh project that aims to be fast, modern, and highly customizable. It features a built-in tiling window manager, a theming system, and a design language that feels like a blend of GNOME and a tiling WM. As of early 2025, COSMIC is in alpha, meaning it is not yet stable enough for daily use on a production machine, but it is already usable for testing and experimentation.

Prerequisites for Installing COSMIC on Fedora

Before you start, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

  • Fedora 40 or 41 (both Workstation and Silverblue are supported, but the steps differ slightly).
  • An active internet connection to download the packages.
  • At least 2 GB of free disk space (the packages are around 1-2 GB).
  • A graphics card that supports Vulkan (most modern Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA cards do).
  • Basic familiarity with the terminal, as you will need to run commands.

If you are using Fedora Workstation (the GNOME version), the process is straightforward. For Silverblue (the immutable version), you will need to use rpm-ostree commands instead of dnf.

How to Install COSMIC on Fedora (Step-by-Step)

The easiest way to install COSMIC on Fedora is via a Copr repository. Copr is Fedora’s community build service, similar to Ubuntu’s PPA. Here are the steps for Fedora Workstation:

  1. Open a terminal.
  2. Enable the Copr repository by running: sudo dnf copr enable errorn/COSMIC
  3. Update your package list: sudo dnf update
  4. Install the COSMIC desktop packages: sudo dnf install cosmic-desktop
  5. Once the installation finishes, log out. You should see COSMIC in the session list on the login screen (GDM). Select it and log in.

If you are on Fedora Silverblue, the commands are slightly different:

  1. Enable the repo: sudo rpm-ostree copr enable errorn/COSMIC
  2. Install the packages: sudo rpm-ostree install cosmic-desktop
  3. Reboot: sudo systemctl reboot

After rebooting, you will see COSMIC in the session list. Note that on Silverblue, you may need to layer the packages, which is normal.

What to Expect After Installation

When you first log into COSMIC, you will see a clean desktop with a top bar and a dock (called the “COSMIC Dock”). The desktop includes a settings app (COSMIC Settings) that lets you customize almost everything: themes, fonts, keyboard shortcuts, and the tiling behavior. The tiling window manager is on by default, so windows will automatically snap to a grid. You can toggle tiling on or off per window or globally. The file manager is a fork of GNOME Files, and the terminal is a custom one called COSMIC Terminal. Because it is alpha, you may encounter missing features or occasional crashes. For example, some system tray icons may not work, and certain GNOME apps might not integrate perfectly.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Here are the most common issues users face and their solutions:

  • Blank screen after login: This often happens with NVIDIA GPUs. Try switching to a different session (like GNOME) and then reinstall the NVIDIA drivers. Also, ensure your system is fully updated.
  • Missing icons or themes: COSMIC uses its own icon theme, but some apps may look odd. Install papirus-icon-theme or adwaita-icon-theme to improve consistency.
  • No sound: COSMIC relies on PipeWire. If sound is missing, check that PipeWire is running: systemctl --user status pipewire. If not, start it with systemctl --user start pipewire.
  • Cannot change wallpaper: Right-click on the desktop and select “Change Background”. If that doesn’t work, open COSMIC Settings > Desktop and change it there.
  • Keyboard shortcuts not working: Some GNOME shortcuts may conflict. Go to COSMIC Settings > Keyboard to view and rebind shortcuts.

How to Remove COSMIC from Fedora

If you decide COSMIC isn’t for you, removing it is simple. On Fedora Workstation, run:

  1. sudo dnf remove cosmic-desktop
  2. Optionally, disable the Copr repo: sudo dnf copr remove errorn/COSMIC
  3. Log out and select your previous desktop (GNOME) from the login screen.

On Silverblue, use sudo rpm-ostree uninstall cosmic-desktop and then reboot. Your system will return to its previous state. Note that removing COSMIC will not delete your personal files or settings.

Comparing COSMIC to Other Desktops

How does COSMIC stack up against GNOME and KDE? Here’s a quick comparison:

  • GNOME: Simple, touch-friendly, but limited customization. COSMIC offers more options and a built-in tiling WM.
  • KDE Plasma: Highly customizable, but can feel cluttered. COSMIC aims for a cleaner, more modern look with similar flexibility.
  • i3/Sway: Tiling WMs are powerful but have a steep learning curve. COSMIC provides tiling with a GUI, making it accessible to newcomers.

In terms of performance, COSMIC is written in Rust, which gives it a small memory footprint and fast startup times. However, because it’s alpha, it may not be as optimized as mature desktops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is COSMIC stable enough for daily use?

Not yet. COSMIC is in alpha, so you will encounter bugs and missing features. It is fine for testing, but for a production machine, stick with GNOME or KDE until COSMIC reaches beta or stable.

Will COSMIC replace GNOME on Fedora?

No. Fedora’s official spins only include GNOME, KDE, XFCE, etc. COSMIC is not an official Fedora spin, so it will not replace GNOME. You can install it alongside GNOME and choose at login.

Can I install COSMIC on Fedora 39 or older?

The Copr repository supports Fedora 40 and 41. For older versions, you may need to build from source, which is complex. It’s recommended to upgrade to Fedora 40 or 41.

Does COSMIC work with NVIDIA GPUs?

Yes, but with caveats. You need the proprietary NVIDIA drivers installed. Some users report screen tearing or blank screens, but these issues are being fixed. Ensure your drivers are up to date.

How do I update COSMIC?

Updates come through the Copr repo. Run sudo dnf update (Workstation) or sudo rpm-ostree upgrade (Silverblue) to get the latest version. Be aware that updates may break things during alpha.

Is COSMIC available for other distributions?

Yes, System76 ships COSMIC in Pop!_OS, and community packages exist for Arch, NixOS, and openSUSE. However, Fedora’s Copr repo is the most straightforward for Fedora users.

Related

Formula used
in t | Time to install (min) | min | 15 | 0 | 120
in d | Disk space needed (GB) | GB | 2 | 0 | 100
out pace | Install pace (min/GB) | min/GB | t / d | 2
out speed | Install speed (GB/min) | GB/min | d / (t / 60) | 2

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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