Install & Update Helium Browser on Linux
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Helium Browser installer & updater

Purpose

This script was initially designed to just update my Helium browser but over time and interest it got more functional and universal. It includes functions to install, update, remove, add launcher, etc... It's supposed to run in user space and is (Linux) distro independent I suppose.

With "little" tinkering it should be possible to apply this script to install, update & configure many kinds of releases from source, like Debian packages, AppImages, binaries, etc...

Usage

Help

./helium_helper.sh -h

First Install

To initally install Helium browser via this script, download helium_helper.sh and make it executable:

wget https://lab.c95.org/fr4nz/helium-helper/raw/branch/main/helium_helper.sh && chmod +x helium_helper.sh

Run script with install parameter -i

  • Default install directory = $HOME/.apps/Helium
./helium_helper.sh -i

OPTIONAL : Add alias to .shellrc | working in zsh, bash & fish

  • Default alias = update-helium
./helium_helper.sh -a

Updating

From launcher (if added during install or by running ./helium_helper.sh -l)

Checking for the latest version and updating can simply be done for the browser as well as the script by right clicking the app icon and choosing either update option, which will be run by helium_launcher_update.sh. This will backup all files and configuration and write a log.

Terminal

Updating can also be done by running:

  • Update Helium Browser
./helium_helper.sh -u
  • Update Helium Helper
./helium_helper.sh -S

Backing up

Backing up, by default, pulls all important files, folders & configuration and compresses an archive, which is stored in $HOME/.apps/Helium/assets

  • Default backup
./helium_helper.sh -b
  • Backup to custom path
./helium_helper.sh -b </PATH/TO/DESTINATION>

NOTE: The backup path specified won't be overridden within the script yet. Working on it...

Since this script is interactive, it doesn't keep logs.

Overview

Helium_Helper.sh

  • Interactive installer, updater & configuration script
  • Installs to $HOME/.apps/Helium | changeable in line 32 INSTALL_PATH
  • Assumes:
    • Presence of $HOME/.apps/Helium when updating | changeable in line 32 INSTALL_PATH
    • Executable named Helium.AppImage
  • Keeps backup archives from
    • Helium.AppImage
    • helium_helper.sh
    • helium_launcher_update.sh
    • Helium.desktop
    • net.imput.helium
  • Adds desktop launcher to $HOME/.local/share/applications
  • Adds options to launcher which are run by helium_launcher_updater.sh
    • Update Helium
    • Update Script
    • View Log
  • Run helium_helper.sh -h for help

Helium_Launcher_Update.sh

  • Update Helium from launcher
  • Assumes:
    • Presence of $HOME/.apps/Helium when updating | changeable in line 21 INSTALL_PATH
    • Executable named Helium.AppImage
  • Loggs to $HOME/.apps/Helium/assets/logs
  • Keeps backup archives from
    • Helium.AppImage
    • helium_helper.sh
    • helium_launcher_update.sh
    • Helium.desktop
    • net.imput.helium
  • Run helium_launcher_update.sh -h for help