Streamline Your Invoicing on Chromebook with Invoice Ninja: A Comprehensive Guide

For freelancers and anyone who frequently manages invoices, Invoice Ninja is an indispensable tool, particularly if you’re utilizing a Chromebook. Optimized for Linux and compatible with Chrome OS’s Linux features, Invoice Ninja can significantly enhance your workflow.

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to enable Linux support on your Chromebook and install the Invoice Ninja application. Before getting started, ensure you have an Invoice Ninja account; detailed account setup instructions can be found on the official Invoice Ninja website.

Enabling Linux Support on Your Chromebook

To run Invoice Ninja, you first need to enable Linux compatibility on your Chromebook. This is a straightforward process:

1. Access Settings: Click on the clock located in the lower right corner of the screen to open the system tray. Then, click on the gear icon to access the Chrome OS settings.

2. Advanced Settings: Scroll down and select the "Advanced" section to unveil more options.

3. Developers Section: From there, select "Developers."

4. Turn on Linux: In the Developers section, find the "Linux development environment" subsection and click the "Turn on" button. This action will start downloading the Debian Linux container, which includes a terminal application. The download process typically completes quickly.

5. Update Linux Packages: Once the download finishes, the terminal application will launch automatically. Enter the following commands to update the Debian container:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt upgrade -y

   Now, your Chromebook is ready to run Linux-based applications like Invoice Ninja.

Installing Invoice Ninja as a Flatpak

One of the easiest methods to install Invoice Ninja is via the Flatpak package, ensuring you’re always updated with the latest features.

Step-by-Step Installation:

1. Open the Terminal: Launch the terminal application on your Chromebook.

2. Install Flatpak: In the terminal, execute the following command to install the Flatpak runtime:

   sudo apt install flatpak

3. Add Flathub Repository: To access a vast library of Flatpak applications, run the following command to add the Flathub repository:

   flatpak --user remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

4. Install Invoice Ninja: With the Flathub app store now available, install Invoice Ninja using this command:

   flatpak install flathub com.invoiceninja.InvoiceNinja

5. Launching Invoice Ninja: You can now find and launch the Invoice Ninja app within the "Linux Apps" folder of your Chrome OS app menu.

Alternative Installation Method: Linux Portable Package

If you prefer not to use the Flatpak method or should it encounter issues, Invoice Ninja’s Linux Portable package is a suitable alternative. This option allows you to run the application without installation.

Setup Instructions:

1. Download the Portable Package: Use the wget command in the terminal to download the latest Invoice Ninja Portable version:

   wget https://github.com/invoiceninja/admin-portal/releases/download/v5.0.152/Invoice-Ninja-Linux-Portable.tar.gz

2. Extract the Files:

   • Create a directory for Invoice Ninja with:

     mkdir -p ~/invoice-ninja

   • Extract the downloaded archive into this folder:

     tar xvf Invoice-Ninja-Linux-Portable.tar.gz -C ~/invoice-ninja/

3. Run the Application: To launch Invoice Ninja directly, execute the following command in the terminal:

   ~/invoice-ninja/invoiceninja

Important Note:

While the Portable version is functional, it is recommended to utilize the Flatpak version for regular use unless you encounter difficulties with installation.

By following these steps, you can efficiently manage your invoicing on your Chromebook with Invoice Ninja, making your freelance work smoother and more organized. Embrace this powerful tool to keep your financial tasks in order.