How to Install Kavita on Ubuntu Server

Kavita is an open-source PDF reader designed for reading books on desktop computers. It is a great alternative to commercial PDF readers and comes with many features that make reading books easier and more enjoyable.

In this tutorial, we'll guide you through the process of installing Kavita on Ubuntu Server. The process is straightforward and can be completed in a few steps.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, you will need:

• A server running Ubuntu 20.04 or later.
• An internet connection.

Step 1: Update the System

First, we need to update the system to ensure that we have the latest packages.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Kavita depends on several packages that are not installed by default on Ubuntu Server. We can install them using the following command:

sudo apt install libqt5gui5 libqt5network5 libqt5xml5 libqt5webkit5 qtmultimedia5-dev qtwebengine5-dev

Step 3: Download and Install Kavita

Now that we have installed the dependencies, we can download and install Kavita.

Step 3.1: Download Kavita

wget https://github.com/kavita-reader/kavita/releases/download/v1.7.0/Kavita-1.7.0-x86_64.AppImage

Step 3.2: Copy the Binary to /usr/bin

sudo cp Kavita-1.7.0-x86_64.AppImage /usr/bin/kavita

Step 3.3: Mark the Binary as Executable

sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/kavita

Step 3.3: Create a Desktop File

cat > ~/.local/share/applications/kavita.desktop << EOF
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Kavita
Comment=Open source PDF reader
Exec=/usr/bin/kavita %U
Icon=/usr/bin/kavita.png
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Office;
EOF

Step 4: Launch Kavita

We can now launch Kavita by searching for it in the applications menu or by typing the following command in the terminal:

kavita

Conclusion

That's it! You have successfully installed Kavita on Ubuntu Server. With Kavita, you can now read your favorite books on your desktop computer.

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!