# How do I start vassal in Linux?
**URL:** https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/how-do-i-start-vassal-in-linux/78250
**Category:** General Discussion
**Created:** [November 14, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/how-do-i-start-vassal-in-linux/78250 "2023-11-14T17:19:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@JohnS](https://forum.vassalengine.org/u/JohnS)
#### Post date: [September 26, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/how-do-i-start-vassal-in-linux/78250/42 "2024-09-26T20:01:16Z")
Thank you! It seems I had Java-11 installed (althought it seems that not only the headless one, it was simply installed as a dependency). After looking through Synaptic I realized there are actually several versions. Having installed version 17 and 21 (only ones I could find) I managed to launch the program, Napoleonics seems to work, so I guess this is it!
Thank you, @uckelman and @cholmcc for replying, and of course thanks @uckelman for patience and your help in solving this problem. Linux can be difficult for a layman to operate, help from the community is always appreciated!
---
### Author:  [@Raimonnet](https://forum.vassalengine.org/u/Raimonnet)
#### Post date: [October 15, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/how-do-i-start-vassal-in-linux/78250/43 "2025-10-15T16:02:48Z")
Hi.
I am already very old and not very used to work with Ubuntu. I just installed it in my old laptop to extend its life a little bit longer but I would like to PBEM my old games with my old friends. I used to play VASSAL with Windows and thought that it would be possible to do it in Ubuntu but maybe I am too old and it is not a OS for me.
First, I was able to download and install Java before downloading VASSAL, then I downloaded VASSAL for Ubuntu and I found the directory that contains a file named VASSAL.sh but…:
1. I need to right click to execute it
2. It takes me a while to access to the file.
Is there any way in Ubuntu to create a direct access in the Desktop or the Dock (I think that this is the name of the side column that contains several icons)?
Thank you very much
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### Author:  [@cholmcc](https://forum.vassalengine.org/u/cholmcc)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2025, 6:03am UTC](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/how-do-i-start-vassal-in-linux/78250/44 "2025-10-16T06:03:57Z")
> [@Raimonnet](#):
>
> I used to play VASSAL with Windows and thought that it would be possible to do it in Ubuntu but maybe I am too old and it is not a OS for me.
I do not think anyone is too old or computer-illiterate to use Linux (and in particularly not Ubuntu).
Did you read the [Installation Instructions](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/installation-instructions/85146/1)? In particular the section
- [Install JRE - Debian and derivatives](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/installation-instructions/85146#p-168423-debianuploadfd2dxhebisbtdqrknfwkgstlhampng-a-namedebiana-debian-and-derivatives-6)
- [Install VASSAL](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/installation-instructions/85146#p-168423-vassaluploadol2inz6srqgppxlq0qxq3yqlhrzpng-install-vassal-12)
If you are uncomfortable with using a command line, you can use the graphical installer [**Synaptic**](https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/addremove-install-synaptic.html.en) to install the JRE. Just
1. open **Synaptic**
2. search for `default-jre`
3. click install (you will be prompted for your password)
After downloading [`VASSAL for Linux`](https://github.com/vassalengine/vassal/releases/download/3.7.18/VASSAL-3.7.18-linux.tar.bz2) and you double click it, you will likely have the directory `VASSAL-3.7.18` in your `~/Downloads` folder. Move that somewhere more permanent, say your home directory `~/`. You can navigate to that folder and double-click the script `VASSAL.sh`. If that won’t execute, right-click and select `Properties`, then enable `Executable as Program`.
If you want to integrate VASSAL fully into the desktop, follow the [Desktop integration](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/installation-instructions/85146#p-168423-desktopupload2qn5lhaneupegorygct0zwtrkeppng-desktop-integration-15) instructions.
In the hopefully not too distant future, you will be able to download a Debian package from the the site and simply install that. That will give you full installation and integration with minimal hassle. You can get a preview from [here](https://github.com/vassalengine/vassal/actions/runs/18417551995/artifacts/4241250490) (download by clicking the link, then double-click the file `vassal_3.7.19-SNAPSHOT-e8de2b8-1_all.deb` in your `~/Downloads` folder to install - you will be prompted for your password).
Yours,
_Christian_
---
### Author:  [@Raimonnet](https://forum.vassalengine.org/u/Raimonnet)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2025, 10:57am UTC](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/how-do-i-start-vassal-in-linux/78250/45 "2025-10-16T10:57:21Z")
Thank you very much for your quick answer, Christian.
I created a folder named “Aplicacions” in my _/home_ directory and I moved the VASSAL-3.7.18 directory there once unpacked.
Once there, I have a file named VASSAL.sh. When I double-click it opens as a text. It doesn’t execute. In order to run it, I must right-click and then left-click “execute as a program”. It is a forward step. I am able to run VASSAL. It is a long process every time I have to run VASSAL but I suppose that it is the price to pay due to not being an IT expert.
I also see that the OS doesn’t know what to do with .vlog and .vsav. When I double-click on them, instead of opening them directly in VASSAL, like Windows, it extracts them as if they were .zip or .rar.
Is there a way that UBUNTU opens the .vlog or .vsav as a .vlog or .vsav instead of .zip or .rar?
If it is possible without using the Terminal would be much better. I tried to follow some of the Terminal instructions in some other threads and it was a complete mess. There are symbols that don’t appear in my keybord (like that kind of wave simbol before the slash) and when I try to copy I realize that Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V don’t work.
Thank you very much for your help
Raimon
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### Author:  [@Raimonnet](https://forum.vassalengine.org/u/Raimonnet)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2025, 11:01am UTC](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/how-do-i-start-vassal-in-linux/78250/46 "2025-10-16T11:01:34Z")
On the other hand, I tried to click on the preview that you mention, but I get a 404 error.
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### Author:  [@Raimonnet](https://forum.vassalengine.org/u/Raimonnet)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2025, 12:18pm UTC](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/how-do-i-start-vassal-in-linux/78250/47 "2025-10-16T12:18:08Z")
Hi there again.
Don’t ask me how, but something worked. I found one of your threads explaining “How to integrate VASSAL to LINUX desktop” and read the thread.
It was not easy to me and difficult to understand it, but somehow, I was able to download the integration script. It didn’t allow me to execute it as I don’t know how to become superuser (or maybe I did it somehow and didn’t realize it…). Anyway, I found the script in the VASSAL directory and right-clicked it. It seems that something happened but I didn’t realize at that moment.
I was about to surrender my troops when I clicked the Dash symbol and saw the VASSAL logo as one of the applications. I right-clicked on it and it allowed me to fix it at the side bar.
Additionally, now UBUNTU knows what to do with all my .vlog and .vsav. Once I double-click on the it opens them with VASSAL.
Eventually, it looks like I was able to integrate VASSAL and run it almost as if I was running on Windows. Once the whole process is finished, the only difference that I find is that the top mod interface is slightly grayer than before. Like colorless. But anyway, it is the least of the problems.
I hope that someday there will be a way to integrate VASSAL to Linux in an easier way. It took me several hours to read all the threads about it and find the final solution. I suppose that it also requires a big amount of time of those of you committed to the project answering questions of laymen like me.
Thank you very much again for all your time and dedication.
Kind regards
Raimon
---
### Author:  [@cholmcc](https://forum.vassalengine.org/u/cholmcc)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2025, 1:35pm UTC](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/how-do-i-start-vassal-in-linux/78250/48 "2025-10-16T13:35:55Z")
> [@Raimonnet](#):
>
> Don’t ask me how, but something worked. I found one of your threads explaining “How to integrate VASSAL to LINUX desktop” and read the thread.
The procedure explained there is to make the user experience more streamlined, exactly for those with less computer experience.
[quote=“Raimonnet, post:47, topic:78250”]
It didn’t allow me to execute it as I don’t know how to become superuser (or maybe I did it somehow and didn’t realize it…).
[/quote[
To become superuser all you need to do is to put `sudo` in front of the command, e.g.,
```
sudo ./integration.sh
```
> [@Raimonnet](#):
>
> Anyway, I found the script in the VASSAL directory and right-clicked it. It seems that something happened but I didn’t realize at that moment.
As I wrote in my previous reply you need to right click `VASSAL.sh` select `Settings` an then enable `Run as executable`, to make the change permanent.
> [@Raimonnet](#):
>
> I was about to surrender my troops when I clicked the Dash symbol and saw the VASSAL logo as one of the applications. I right-clicked on it and it allowed me to fix it at the side bar.
>
> Additionally, now UBUNTU knows what to do with all my .vlog and .vsav. Once I double-click on the it opens them with VASSAL.
>
> Eventually, it looks like I was able to integrate VASSAL and run it almost as if I was running on Windows. Once the whole process is finished, the only difference that I find is that the top mod interface is slightly grayer than before. Like colorless. But anyway, it is the least of the problems
This is the result of running the `integration.sh` script. BTW, `~` is called a tilde an on QWERTY US keyboard is typically located in the top left. On many European keyboards, it is a so called _deadkey_, which means it’s typically used to create accents, and so to type a literal `~` one has to press SPACE after pressing the tilde key.
> [@Raimonnet](#):
>
> I hope that someday there will be a way to integrate VASSAL to Linux in an easier way. It took me several hours to read all the threads about it and find the final solution. I suppose that it also requires a big amount of time of those of you committed to the project answering questions of laymen like me.
Once 3.7.19 will be released, all you need to do is to get the Debian package and install that. All requirements and desktop integration will be taken care of for you - as well as some other goodies.
@uckelman perhaps it’s worth making a new release just for that?
Yours
_Christian_
---
### Author:  [@uckelman](https://forum.vassalengine.org/u/uckelman)
#### Post date: [October 16, 2025, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/how-do-i-start-vassal-in-linux/78250/49 "2025-10-16T18:11:22Z")
I expect to do the next release after the module library work wraps up.
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