Post-install Checklist

Tip

This is a concise checklist. For detailed step-by-step instructions, see Post-install Initial Setup.

1. System Update

The first thing to do after installation is update the system:


sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo snap refresh

If there is a kernel update, reboot once:


sudo reboot

2. Install Drivers


# Detect and install recommended drivers
sudo ubuntu-drivers devices
sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

NVIDIA GPU users should refer to the NVIDIA Graphics section.

3. Configure Software Mirror

Use a local mirror to speed up software downloads:


sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources

Replace archive.ubuntu.com with a local mirror:

Mirror	Address
Alibaba Cloud	`mirrors.aliyun.com`
Tencent Cloud	`mirrors.tencent.com`
Tsinghua University	`mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn`
USTC	`mirrors.ustc.edu.cn`

After editing, update the index:


sudo apt update

4. Install Common Software

Basic Tools


sudo apt install -y \
  curl wget git vim htop fastfetch \
  build-essential \
  unzip p7zip-full \
  net-tools

Chinese Input Method


sudo apt install fcitx5 fcitx5-chinese-addons fcitx5-config-qt

Confirm that Chinese language packs are installed in Settings > Region & Language > Manage Installed Languages.

Multimedia Codecs


sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

During installation, accept the Microsoft fonts license agreement (use Tab to switch to OK, then press Enter).

Common Applications


# Browser (Firefox is preinstalled as Snap)
# For Chrome:
wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
# Install the local .deb with apt so dependencies resolve automatically
sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
 
# Office suite (LibreOffice is preinstalled)
# Video player
sudo apt install vlc
 
# Screenshot tool
sudo apt install flameshot
 
# Text editor
sudo snap install code --classic  # VS Code

5. Configure Firewall


sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing
sudo ufw status

To open specific ports:


sudo ufw allow ssh
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp

6. Enable Automatic Updates


sudo apt install unattended-upgrades
sudo dpkg-reconfigure unattended-upgrades

Select “Yes” to enable automatic security updates.

7. Configure Timezone


# Check current timezone
timedatectl
 
# Set timezone
sudo timedatectl set-timezone Asia/Shanghai
 
# Enable time synchronization
sudo timedatectl set-ntp true

8. Configure Swap

Check if swap is already configured:


swapon --show
free -h

If there is no swap or you need to increase it:


sudo fallocate -l 4G /swapfile
sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
sudo mkswap /swapfile
sudo swapon /swapfile
echo '/swapfile none swap sw 0 0' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab

Adjust swap usage tendency (desktop users may want to lower it):


echo 'vm.swappiness=10' | sudo tee /etc/sysctl.d/99-swappiness.conf
sudo sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.d/99-swappiness.conf

9. Customize Desktop

GNOME Extensions


sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-manager

Open “Extension Manager” to install popular extensions:

Dash to Dock — Bottom dock bar
AppIndicator — System tray icon support
Clipboard Indicator — Clipboard management

GNOME Tweaks


sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Adjust fonts, themes, window button positions, and more.

10. Configure Git


git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your@email.com"
git config --global init.defaultBranch main
 
# Generate SSH key
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your@email.com"
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
# Add the public key to GitHub/GitLab

11. Power Management (Laptop Users)


sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw
sudo systemctl enable tlp

12. Backup Solution

Using Timeshift


sudo apt install timeshift

Open the Timeshift GUI and configure periodic system snapshots. RSYNC mode with weekly automatic backups is recommended.