README.md · 1.6 KiB · Markdown Raw

# Zen Browser Debian
This repository contains unofficial deb packages of the [zen browser](https://zen-browser.app/). As well as 
instructions on how to build the deb packages from the official tarballs.

It is basically an attempt to reverse engineer the provided install script
for the zen browser, found at the link below, for the purpose of creating deb packages.
[https://updates.zen-browser.app/install.sh](https://updates.zen-browser.app/install.sh)

## Steps to recreate
1. Clone this repository and enter the folder
```bash 
git clone https://github.com/sh4r10/zen-browser-debian.git && cd zen-browser-debian
```

2. Get the latest official tarball for the zen-browser from [here](https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/releases). 
```bash
wget https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/releases/latest/download/zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz
```

3. Look through the variables at the top of the create-zen-deb.sh script, you
   should only really need to change the version and possibly the tarball name
```bash
PACKAGE_NAME="zen-browser"
VERSION="1.11.2b"
ARCH="amd64"
TARBALL="zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz"
BUILD_DIR="${PACKAGE_NAME}_${VERSION}"
INSTALL_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/opt/zen"
BIN_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/usr/local/bin"
DESKTOP_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/usr/local/share/applications"
```

4. Run the script
```bash
./create-zen-deb.sh
```
If everything goes to plan, you should now have .deb file in your folder. This
can then be installed with dpkg or uploaded to an apt repo.

```
dpkg -i name-of-file.deb
```

You can also download an already built deb file from the releases section and
install it in the same way.

Zen Browser Debian

This repository contains unofficial deb packages of the zen browser. As well as instructions on how to build the deb packages from the official tarballs.

It is basically an attempt to reverse engineer the provided install script for the zen browser, found at the link below, for the purpose of creating deb packages. https://updates.zen-browser.app/install.sh

Steps to recreate

Clone this repository and enter the folder

git clone https://github.com/sh4r10/zen-browser-debian.git && cd zen-browser-debian

Get the latest official tarball for the zen-browser from here.

wget https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/releases/latest/download/zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz

Look through the variables at the top of the create-zen-deb.sh script, you should only really need to change the version and possibly the tarball name

PACKAGE_NAME="zen-browser"
VERSION="1.11.2b"
ARCH="amd64"
TARBALL="zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz"
BUILD_DIR="${PACKAGE_NAME}_${VERSION}"
INSTALL_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/opt/zen"
BIN_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/usr/local/bin"
DESKTOP_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/usr/local/share/applications"

Run the script

./create-zen-deb.sh

If everything goes to plan, you should now have .deb file in your folder. This can then be installed with dpkg or uploaded to an apt repo.

dpkg -i name-of-file.deb

You can also download an already built deb file from the releases section and install it in the same way.

create-zen-deb.sh · 3.1 KiB · Bash Raw

#!/bin/bash
set -euo pipefail

# Check the TARBALL has been downloaded.

TARBALL="zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz"

if [ ! -e "${TARBALL}" ]; then
    echo "error: $0: Did not find the required tarball."
    echo
    echo "Please get the offical tarball '${TARBALL}' from"
    echo
    echo "  https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/releases"
    echo
    exit 1
fi

# === CONFIG ===
PACKAGE_NAME="zen-browser"
VERSION=$(tar -xJf ${TARBALL} --to-stdout zen/application.ini | grep '^Version=' | cut -d'=' -f2)
ARCH="amd64"
BUILD_DIR="${PACKAGE_NAME}_${VERSION}"
INSTALL_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/opt/zen"
BIN_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/usr/local/bin"
DESKTOP_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/usr/local/share/applications"
ICON_BASE="$BUILD_DIR/usr/share/icons/hicolor"

# === CLEAN UP OLD BUILDS ===
rm -rf "$BUILD_DIR"
mkdir -p "$INSTALL_DIR" "$BIN_DIR" "$DESKTOP_DIR"

# === EXTRACT THE TARBALL ===
echo "Extracting tarball..."
tar -xf "$TARBALL"
mv zen/* "$INSTALL_DIR"

# === CREATE EXECUTABLE WRAPPER ===
echo "Creating wrapper script..."
cat <<EOF > "$BIN_DIR/zen"
#!/bin/bash
/opt/zen/zen "\$@"
EOF
chmod +x "$BIN_DIR/zen"

# === INSTALL ICONS ===
echo "Copying icons..."
for size in 16 32 48 64 128; do
  mkdir -p "$ICON_BASE/${size}x${size}/apps"
  cp "$INSTALL_DIR/browser/chrome/icons/default/default${size}.png" \
     "$ICON_BASE/${size}x${size}/apps/zen.png"
done

# === CREATE .desktop FILE ===
echo "Creating .desktop file..."
cat <<EOF > "$DESKTOP_DIR/zen.desktop"
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Zen Browser
Comment=Experience tranquillity while browsing the web without people tracking you!
Keywords=web;browser;internet
Exec=/opt/zen/zen %u
Icon=zen
Terminal=false
StartupNotify=true
StartupWMClass=zen
NoDisplay=false
Type=Application
MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;application/vnd.mozilla.xul+xml;text/mml;x-scheme-handler/http;x-scheme-handler/https;
Categories=Network;WebBrowser;
Actions=new-window;new-private-window;profile-manager-window;

[Desktop Action new-window]
Name=Open a New Window
Exec=/opt/zen/zen --new-window %u

[Desktop Action new-private-window]
Name=Open a New Private Window
Exec=/opt/zen/zen --private-window %u

[Desktop Action profile-manager-window]
Name=Open the Profile Manager
Exec=/opt/zen/zen --ProfileManager
EOF

# === CREATE DEBIAN CONTROL FILE ===
echo "Creating control file..."
mkdir -p "$BUILD_DIR/DEBIAN"
cat <<EOF > "$BUILD_DIR/DEBIAN/control"
Package: $PACKAGE_NAME
Version: $VERSION
Section: web
Priority: optional
Architecture: $ARCH
Maintainer: Shariq Shahbaz <iamsh4r10@gmail.com>
Description: Zen Browser - A privacy-focused browser that helps you browse in peace.
EOF

# === POSTINST TO UPDATE ICON CACHE ===
cat <<'EOF' > "$BUILD_DIR/DEBIAN/postinst"
#!/bin/bash
set -e
if command -v gtk-update-icon-cache &>/dev/null; then
  gtk-update-icon-cache -f /usr/share/icons/hicolor
fi
EOF
chmod +x "$BUILD_DIR/DEBIAN/postinst"

# Avoid dpkg-build failing due to control directory not
# having other rX permissions.

chmod -R a+rX $BUILD_DIR

# === BUILD THE DEB PACKAGE ===
echo "Building .deb package..."
dpkg-deb --build --root-owner-group "$BUILD_DIR"

# === FINAL CLEANUP ===
echo "Final cleanup..."
rm -rf zen "$BUILD_DIR"

echo "Done! Output: ${BUILD_DIR}.deb"

1	#!/bin/bash
2	set -euo pipefail
3
4	# Check the TARBALL has been downloaded.
5
6	TARBALL="zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz"
7
8	if [ ! -e "${TARBALL}" ]; then
9	echo "error: $0: Did not find the required tarball."
10	echo
11	echo "Please get the offical tarball '${TARBALL}' from"
12	echo
13	echo " https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/releases"
14	echo
15	exit 1
16	fi
17
18
19	# === CONFIG ===
20	PACKAGE_NAME="zen-browser"
21	VERSION=$(tar -xJf ${TARBALL} --to-stdout zen/application.ini \| grep '^Version=' \| cut -d'=' -f2)
22	ARCH="amd64"
23	BUILD_DIR="${PACKAGE_NAME}_${VERSION}"
24	INSTALL_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/opt/zen"
25	BIN_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/usr/local/bin"
26	DESKTOP_DIR="$BUILD_DIR/usr/local/share/applications"
27	ICON_BASE="$BUILD_DIR/usr/share/icons/hicolor"
28
29	# === CLEAN UP OLD BUILDS ===
30	rm -rf "$BUILD_DIR"
31	mkdir -p "$INSTALL_DIR" "$BIN_DIR" "$DESKTOP_DIR"
32
33	# === EXTRACT THE TARBALL ===
34	echo "Extracting tarball..."
35	tar -xf "$TARBALL"
36	mv zen/* "$INSTALL_DIR"
37
38	# === CREATE EXECUTABLE WRAPPER ===
39	echo "Creating wrapper script..."
40	cat <<EOF > "$BIN_DIR/zen"
41	#!/bin/bash
42	/opt/zen/zen "\$@"
43	EOF
44	chmod +x "$BIN_DIR/zen"
45
46	# === INSTALL ICONS ===
47	echo "Copying icons..."
48	for size in 16 32 48 64 128; do
49	mkdir -p "$ICON_BASE/${size}x${size}/apps"
50	cp "$INSTALL_DIR/browser/chrome/icons/default/default${size}.png" \
51	"$ICON_BASE/${size}x${size}/apps/zen.png"
52	done
53
54	# === CREATE .desktop FILE ===
55	echo "Creating .desktop file..."
56	cat <<EOF > "$DESKTOP_DIR/zen.desktop"
57	[Desktop Entry]
58	Name=Zen Browser
59	Comment=Experience tranquillity while browsing the web without people tracking you!
60	Keywords=web;browser;internet
61	Exec=/opt/zen/zen %u
62	Icon=zen
63	Terminal=false
64	StartupNotify=true
65	StartupWMClass=zen
66	NoDisplay=false
67	Type=Application
68	MimeType=text/html;text/xml;application/xhtml+xml;application/vnd.mozilla.xul+xml;text/mml;x-scheme-handler/http;x-scheme-handler/https;
69	Categories=Network;WebBrowser;
70	Actions=new-window;new-private-window;profile-manager-window;
71
72	[Desktop Action new-window]
73	Name=Open a New Window
74	Exec=/opt/zen/zen --new-window %u
75
76	[Desktop Action new-private-window]
77	Name=Open a New Private Window
78	Exec=/opt/zen/zen --private-window %u
79
80	[Desktop Action profile-manager-window]
81	Name=Open the Profile Manager
82	Exec=/opt/zen/zen --ProfileManager
83	EOF
84
85	# === CREATE DEBIAN CONTROL FILE ===
86	echo "Creating control file..."
87	mkdir -p "$BUILD_DIR/DEBIAN"
88	cat <<EOF > "$BUILD_DIR/DEBIAN/control"
89	Package: $PACKAGE_NAME
90	Version: $VERSION
91	Section: web
92	Priority: optional
93	Architecture: $ARCH
94	Maintainer: Shariq Shahbaz <iamsh4r10@gmail.com>
95	Description: Zen Browser - A privacy-focused browser that helps you browse in peace.
96	EOF
97
98	# === POSTINST TO UPDATE ICON CACHE ===
99	cat <<'EOF' > "$BUILD_DIR/DEBIAN/postinst"
100	#!/bin/bash
101	set -e
102	if command -v gtk-update-icon-cache &>/dev/null; then
103	gtk-update-icon-cache -f /usr/share/icons/hicolor
104	fi
105	EOF
106	chmod +x "$BUILD_DIR/DEBIAN/postinst"
107
108	# Avoid dpkg-build failing due to control directory not
109	# having other rX permissions.
110
111	chmod -R a+rX $BUILD_DIR
112
113	# === BUILD THE DEB PACKAGE ===
114	echo "Building .deb package..."
115	dpkg-deb --build --root-owner-group "$BUILD_DIR"
116
117	# === FINAL CLEANUP ===
118	echo "Final cleanup..."
119	rm -rf zen "$BUILD_DIR"
120
121	echo "Done! Output: ${BUILD_DIR}.deb"
122

get-zen-install-deb.sh · 1.0 KiB · Bash Raw

#!/bin/bash
#
# Time-stamp: <Tuesday 2025-07-29 08:40:45 +1000 Graham Williams>
#
# Download the current distribution of zen for Linux, create the .deb
# and then install the .deb.

set -euo pipefail

# Make a dated backup of any previously downloaded distribution file.

if [ -e zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz ]; then
    mv zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz.$(date +'%Y%m%d')
fi

# Download the latest release of zen.

wget --quiet --show-progress \
     https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/releases/latest/download/zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz \
     -O zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz

# wget --quiet --show-progress \
#      https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/releases/download/twilight/zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz \
#      -O zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz

# Extract the version from the downloaded file.

VERSION=$(tar -xJf zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz --to-stdout zen/application.ini | grep '^Version=' | cut -d'=' -f2)

# Create the .deb package.

bash create-zen-deb.sh

# Install the .deb package locally.

sudo dpkg -i zen-browser_${VERSION}.deb

1	#!/bin/bash
2	#
3	# Time-stamp: <Tuesday 2025-07-29 08:40:45 +1000 Graham Williams>
4	#
5	# Download the current distribution of zen for Linux, create the .deb
6	# and then install the .deb.
7
8	set -euo pipefail
9
10	# Make a dated backup of any previously downloaded distribution file.
11
12	if [ -e zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz ]; then
13	mv zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz.$(date +'%Y%m%d')
14	fi
15
16	# Download the latest release of zen.
17
18	wget --quiet --show-progress \
19	https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/releases/latest/download/zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz \
20	-O zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz
21
22	# wget --quiet --show-progress \
23	# https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/releases/download/twilight/zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz \
24	# -O zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz
25
26	# Extract the version from the downloaded file.
27
28	VERSION=$(tar -xJf zen.linux-x86_64.tar.xz --to-stdout zen/application.ini \| grep '^Version=' \| cut -d'=' -f2)
29
30	# Create the .deb package.
31
32	bash create-zen-deb.sh
33
34	# Install the .deb package locally.
35
36	sudo dpkg -i zen-browser_${VERSION}.deb
37