Install KDE 4 packages from the Debian testing or unstable branchInstall KDE 4 Debian packages in your hard disk

Enabling the sid repository

KDE 4 requires some software that is not available in the Debian 5.0 "lenny" release. Therefore, it can only be installed on systems using the testing branches.

deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/ testing main
deb-src http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian/ testing main

You should replace ftp.de.debian.org by a mirror near you.

KDE 4 packages

For a basic KDE 4 desktop, install the kde-minimal package, which includes

kdebase-runtime Essential runtime components
kdebase-workspace Desktop environment
kdebase Core applications

For all of KDE 4, install the kde-full package, which also includes

kde-minimal The basic KDE 4 desktop
kdeplasma-addons Additional Plasma applets
kdegraphics Graphics applications, including the Okular document viewer
kdegames Assortment of fun games
kdemultimedia Multimedia players and utilities
kdenetwork networking-related applications, such as the Kopete IM client
kdepim Personal Information Management apps, such as Kontact or KMail
kdeutils General-purpose utilities
kdeedu Educational applications
kdeadmin System administration tools
kdeartwork Additional artwork and sound themes

For what a random user would expect in a desktop environment, install the kde-standard package.
Note: this package will be the same as installing kde-minimal until we decide excatly what to ship here :-)

kde-minimal The basic KDE 4 desktop

Most users will also want to install kdm. There are still a couple of packages more:

kdetoys Desktop amusements
kdesdk Software development tools

Translations packages are kde-l10n-XX where XX is your language code

Co-installable packages

You can co-install along your KDE 3 packages the following KDE 4 packages: kdelibs5, kdepimlibs5, kdebase-runtime

This is useful if you want to keep your KDE 3 enviroment but want to use a KDE 4 application like okular or even konsole. But remember KDE 4 apps will not integrate in your KDE 3 desktop so well as the current KDE 3 do.


Notes for KDE 4 packages

If you run into a problem and need help, you can send a mail to the Debian KDE support list. The list is not moderated, so you can post without subscribing.


If you want to help us get KDE 4 to Debian users, you're welcome to join the team!