Installing Postman on Linux: A Simplified Guide

We've all been there - you need to test an API, and suddenly you're caught in the labyrinth of Linux installation procedures. If you're like me and have struggled with getting Postman up and running on your Linux machine, fear not! I've compiled this straightforward guide to save you from the headache I went through.

Why I Created This Guide

After fumbling through terminal commands and hunting down missing files, I finally figured out a reliable process. Since this is something I struggled with (and I know many of you do too!), I thought I'd share the solution that worked for me.

The No-Nonsense Installation Process

What You'll Need:

• A Linux machine (I'm using Pop!_OS, but these steps work for Ubuntu, Debian, etc.)
• Terminal access
• The postman-linux-x64.tar.gz download file

Step 1: Navigate to Your Download

First, let's go to where your downloaded file is located (usually the Downloads folder):

cd ~/Downloads

Step 2: Extract the Archive

Extract that tar.gz file with:

tar -xvzf postman-linux-x64.tar.gz

This creates a new folder called Postman with all the necessary files.

Step 3: Move to the Proper Location

Let's move Postman to where it belongs:

sudo mv Postman /opt/

The /opt directory is traditionally where third-party applications live in Linux, so it's the perfect home for Postman.

Step 4: Create a Command Shortcut

This step creates a symbolic link so you can launch Postman from anywhere:

sudo ln -s /opt/Postman/Postman /usr/local/bin/postman

Step 5: Create a Desktop Icon (Optional, but Convenient)

If you prefer clicking an icon to launching from terminal, create a desktop file:

nano ~/.local/share/applications/postman.desktop

Then paste this inside:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Postman
Exec=/opt/Postman/Postman
Icon=/opt/Postman/app/resources/app/assets/icon.png
Type=Application
Categories=Development;

Save with Ctrl+O, Enter, then exit with Ctrl+X.

Make it executable:

chmod +x ~/.local/share/applications/postman.desktop

Launch and Enjoy!

Now you can start Postman by:

• Typing postman in your terminal, or
• Finding it in your applications menu

Bonus: How to Uninstall (If You Ever Need To)

If you need to remove Postman in the future, here's the cleanup process:

sudo rm -rf /opt/Postman
sudo rm /usr/local/bin/postman
rm ~/.local/share/applications/postman.desktop

Wrapping Up

That's it! No complicated package managers, no dependency nightmares—just a clean, straightforward installation. Why don't Linux installations always go this smoothly?

Have you struggled with installing other development tools on Linux? Let me know in the comments, and I might create guides for those too!