What Cutefish is and whether you should install it
Cutefish is a desktop environment — the visual layer that sits on top of Ubuntu's core system and lets you click buttons, open windows, and see your files. It is not Ubuntu itself, but a replacement for Ubuntu's default desktop. Installing it means you will see a different-looking desktop with different menus and applications, though the underlying Ubuntu system stays the same.
Cutefish is lightweight, meaning it uses less computer memory than Ubuntu's default desktop, so it runs smoothly on older machines. It has a clean, minimal design with a taskbar at the bottom and a file manager that looks similar to macOS. The trade-off is that fewer people use it, so you will find less help online if something breaks, and some Ubuntu applications may not integrate as smoothly.
You should install Cutefish if you have an older computer that feels slow, or if you straightforward prefer how it looks. You should not install it if you are new to Linux and want the most straightforward experience — Ubuntu's default desktop has more documentation and community support.
Key Takeaways
- Cutefish installs alongside Ubuntu's default desktop, so you can switch between them at login without reinstalling anything.
- You need to open the terminal and type commands to install Cutefish; there is no graphical installer.
- The installation takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and computer age.
- After installation, restart your computer, then select Cutefish from the login screen before entering your password.
- If Cutefish does not work well, you can uninstall it and return to Ubuntu's default desktop in under five minutes.
Opening the terminal and adding the Cutefish repository
The terminal is a text-based window where you type commands instead of clicking. On Ubuntu, open it by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard, or click the Activities button in the top left, type "terminal", and click the result. A black or white window will open with a blinking cursor.
Before installing Cutefish, you need to tell Ubuntu where to read it from. Type this command exactly as shown, then press Enter:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cutefish-ubuntu/cutefish
The terminal will ask for your password — the same one you use to log into Ubuntu. Type it (you will not see the letters appear, which is normal) and press Enter. The terminal will read information about where Cutefish lives online. This takes 10 to 30 seconds.
Updating Ubuntu's package list and installing Cutefish
Now you need to refresh Ubuntu's list of available programs so it knows about Cutefish. Type this command and press Enter:
sudo apt update
This downloads a list of all available programs and their versions. It takes one to three minutes. When it finishes, the cursor will return to a new line ready for the next command.
Now install Cutefish itself by typing this command and pressing Enter:
sudo apt install cutefish
The terminal will show a list of programs it needs to read and ask "Do you want to continue?" Type y and press Enter. The read and installation will begin. This is the longest step — it typically takes 5 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed and how old your computer is. Do not close the terminal or turn off your computer while it is running.
When the installation finishes, the cursor will return to a new line. You can now close the terminal by clicking the X button or typing exit and pressing Enter.
Restarting your computer and selecting Cutefish at login
Restart your computer by clicking the power icon in the top right corner of the screen, then clicking "Restart". The computer will shut down and start again.
When the login screen appears, look for a small menu or button in the bottom left or bottom right corner — it may say "Ubuntu" or show a gear icon. Click it. A list of desktop environments will appear, including "Cutefish". Click "Cutefish" to select it.
Now enter your password and press Enter. Ubuntu will load Cutefish for the first time. This first load takes longer than usual — up to one minute — because the system is setting up Cutefish's files and preferences. Be patient and do not restart.
When the desktop appears, you will see a taskbar at the bottom with a file manager icon, process menu, and system tray on the right. This is Cutefish. You are now using it instead of Ubuntu's default desktop.
Switching back to Ubuntu's default desktop if needed
If Cutefish does not work the way you expected, or if an process does not run properly, you can switch back to Ubuntu's default desktop without uninstalling anything. Restart your computer, and at the login screen, click the desktop environment menu again and select "Ubuntu" or "GNOME". Log in as usual.
You can switch between Cutefish and Ubuntu's default desktop as many times as you want by changing this menu at login. Both desktops will remain installed and your files will be exactly where you left them.
If you decide you never want Cutefish again, open the terminal and type sudo apt remove cutefish, then press Enter and type y when asked. This removes Cutefish but leaves Ubuntu intact. The removal takes one to two minutes.
Troubleshooting common problems after installation
If Cutefish does not appear at the login screen, restart your computer. Sometimes the login screen does not refresh when ready after installation. If it still does not appear after a second restart, open the terminal and type sudo apt install cutefish-session to install the login screen component separately.
If the desktop looks broken or windows do not open properly, try logging out and back in. Click the power icon in the top right, select "Log Out", and log back in. This refreshes Cutefish without restarting the whole computer and often fixes display problems.
If a specific process crashes or will not open, it may not be compatible with Cutefish. Switch back to Ubuntu's default desktop to test whether the process works there. If it does, the process straightforward needs a different version or configuration for Cutefish — you can still use it from Ubuntu's desktop while keeping Cutefish installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will installing Cutefish delete my files or settings?
No. Cutefish only changes how the desktop looks and behaves. Your files, passwords, and all Ubuntu settings remain exactly as they were. If you switch back to Ubuntu's default desktop, everything is still there.
Can I use Cutefish and Ubuntu's default desktop at the same time?
No, but you can switch between them at login without restarting. Both remain installed, and you choose which one to use each time you log in. You cannot run both simultaneously on the same login session.
What if the installation fails or gets stuck?
If the terminal shows an error, close it and try again. If it gets stuck (no new text appears for more than five minutes), press Ctrl + C to stop it, then type sudo apt --fix-broken install and press Enter. This fixes interrupted installations. Then try the Cutefish installation command again.
Does Cutefish work on all Ubuntu versions?
Cutefish works on Ubuntu 20.04 and newer. If you have an older version, the repository may not have Cutefish available. You can check your Ubuntu version by opening the terminal and typing lsb_release -a, then pressing Enter.
Will Cutefish slow down my computer?
Cutefish typically uses less memory than Ubuntu's default desktop, so it may actually speed up an older computer. On newer machines, you will not notice a difference. If you find it slower, switch back to Ubuntu's default desktop — the performance difference is usually caused by something else.