feat: Running AppImages with Gear Lever

articles/en/run-appimages.md

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+---
+Title: Manage AppImages with Gear Lever
+Description: Learn how to run and manage AppImages with Gear Lever
+PublicationDate: 2025-01-28
+Listed: true
+Authors:
+    - trwy7
+---
+
+## Warning
+
+Before we start, check if the app you are attempting to install does not have another way, like [flatpak](https://docs.vanillaos.org/handbook/en/install-and-manage-applications#managing-applications-through-gnome-software) or [apx](https://docs.vanillaos.org/handbook/en/install-and-manage-applications#installing-applications-from-other-linux-distributions). AppImages may have compatibility or dependency issues that are not covered here. AppImages will have complete access to your data. Be careful and make sure you trust the developer of your AppImage.
+
+## Installation
+
+### Dependencies
+
+AppImages require fuse, which you can install using abroot. Open a terminal and run:
+```bash
+abroot pkg add libfuse2t64
+abroot pkg apply
+```
+Restart your computer to apply the changes.
+
+### Installing Gear Lever
+
+You may install Gear Lever using GNOME Software, or the command line as shown:
+
+```bash
+flatpak install flathub it.mijorus.gearlever
+```
+
+## Adding your first AppImage
+
+Find the AppImage you want to run, and double click it. You should see something similar to the image below.
+
+![Gear Lever UI](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Vanilla-OS/handbook/main/assets/uploads/GearLeverAppimage/first-launch.png)
+
+Click unlock to confirm you trust the developer. You may now click launch to run the AppImage, or for convenience, click "Move to the app menu" to add the AppImage to your applications menu.
+
+## Configuring updates
+
+AppImages do not natively support updates, but you can update your AppImage using Gear Lever. First, open Gear Lever, and make sure that your AppImage is added to the applications menu. Then, scroll down to update management. The currently supported update sources are static link and GitHub.
+
+### Static link
+
+Set the source to Static URL and paste the link in the Update URL box.
+
+### GitHub
+
+Set the source to GitHub and paste the link in the Update URL box, then modify the URL to replace the version number with an asterisk (*). (e.g. v1.2.3/name-1.2.3-amd64.AppImage > v\*/name-\*-amd64.AppImage)