PyCharm is one of the most powerful integrated development environments (IDEs) available for Python developers, offering intelligent code completion, advanced debugging tools, and seamless integration with popular frameworks like Django and Flask. Thanks to Linux app support (Crostini) on modern Chromebooks, you can now run this professional-grade IDE directly on your device without needing to set up a complicated dual-boot configuration or rely on cloud-based solutions.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the complete process of installing PyCharm 2025.2 on your Chromebook. This tutorial assumes you have a Chromebook that supports Linux apps, and we'll cover everything from enabling Linux for the first time to creating a convenient desktop launcher for quick access.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, you'll need a Chromebook that supports Linux apps (Crostini). Most Chromebooks released after 2019 include this feature, but you can check the complete list of supported Chromebooks with Linux Apps (Crostini) support to confirm your device is compatible.

Video Tutorial

Follow along with our step-by-step video guide below, which walks you through the entire installation process. The written instructions and commands are provided in the sections that follow for easy reference.

Step 1: Enable Linux Apps on Your Chromebook

If you haven't already enabled Linux apps on your Chromebook, you'll need to do this first. Navigate to your Chromebook's settings by clicking the system tray in the bottom-right corner and selecting the gear icon. In the settings menu, find "Advanced" in the left sidebar, then click on "Developers." You should see an option to turn on Linux development environment (Beta). Click "Turn On" and follow the prompts to set up Linux on your device. This process typically takes a few minutes and will download and configure a Debian-based Linux container.

Step 2: Update Your System and Install Dependencies

Once Linux is enabled, you'll need to prepare your system by updating the package repositories and installing several dependencies that PyCharm requires to function properly. Open the Terminal app from your app launcher and execute the following commands in sequence.

First, update your package lists to ensure you're getting the latest versions of all software:

Command 1:

sudo apt update

Next, install the required dependencies. The libnss3 package provides network security services libraries, default-jdk installs the Java Development Kit (which PyCharm requires to run since it's built on the IntelliJ platform), and kmenuedit is a menu editor that we'll use later to create a launcher for easy access:

Command 2:

sudo apt install libnss3 default-jdk kmenuedit

Press Enter and confirm the installation when prompted by typing 'Y' and pressing Enter again.

Step 3: Download PyCharm

Now we'll download PyCharm directly from JetBrains, the company that develops the IDE. We're using the community edition, which is free and open-source, making it perfect for most Python development needs including web development, data science projects, and general scripting:

Command 3:

wget https://download.jetbrains.com/python/pycharm-2025.2.3.tar.gz

This command will download the PyCharm archive file to your current directory, which by default is your Linux home folder.

Step 4: Extract the Archive

The downloaded file is compressed in a tar.gz archive format, which is common for Linux software distributions. We'll extract it using the tar command:

Command 4:

tar -xf pycharm-2025.2.3.tar.gz

This creates a new directory containing all of PyCharm's files. The extraction process should only take a few seconds.

Step 5: Launch PyCharm for the First Time

Before creating a permanent launcher, it's good practice to test that PyCharm runs correctly. Execute the following command to launch PyCharm directly from the terminal:

Command 5:

./pycharm-2025.2.3/bin/pycharm

PyCharm should open, and you may be greeted with a welcome screen asking you to accept the license agreement and configure initial settings. Take a moment to verify that the application launches without errors. Once confirmed, you can close PyCharm and proceed to the next step.

Step 6: Create a Desktop Launcher

While you can always launch PyCharm from the terminal, creating a desktop entry makes accessing the IDE much more convenient. You'll be able to launch it directly from your app drawer just like any other application. Open the menu editor with this command:

Command 6:

kmenuedit

In the menu editor window that appears:

• Select an appropriate category from the left panel (such as "Development" or "Programming")
• Click on "New Item" to create a new launcher entry
• Give your launcher a name (for example, "PyCharm 2025.2")
• In the command field, enter the full path to the PyCharm executable. This will typically be: /home/yourusername/pycharm-2025.2.3/bin/pycharm (replace "yourusername" with your actual Linux username)
• Optionally, you can add a description and browse for an icon (PyCharm includes its own icon files in the installation directory)
• Click "Save" to create the launcher

After saving, you should be able to find PyCharm in your Chromebook's app launcher. Simply search for it or browse to the category where you saved it, and click to launch.

Getting Started with PyCharm

Now that PyCharm is installed, you're ready to start developing Python applications on your Chromebook. PyCharm offers numerous features that make Python development more efficient, including:

• Intelligent code completion: PyCharm analyzes your code and provides context-aware suggestions as you type
• Built-in debugger: Set breakpoints, step through code, and inspect variables without leaving the IDE
• Integrated version control: Work with Git, GitHub, and other version control systems directly within the IDE
• Virtual environment support: Easily create and manage Python virtual environments for project isolation
• Database tools: Connect to and query databases without switching applications

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter any issues during installation:

• Java not found: If PyCharm fails to launch due to Java issues, verify that the JDK installed correctly by running java -version in the terminal
• Performance concerns: PyCharm is a resource-intensive application. If you have a lower-end Chromebook, you might experience some lag. Consider closing other applications while using PyCharm
• Display issues: Some Chromebooks may have scaling issues with Linux apps. You can adjust the display settings in Chrome OS settings under "Linux development environment"
• Launcher not appearing: If the desktop launcher doesn't show up after creating it, try logging out and back into your Chromebook

Additional Resources

For more detailed information about PyCharm's features and capabilities, visit the official PyCharm website. You can also reference our Google Doc used in the tutorial for additional notes and updates.

If you have any questions or run into issues during the installation process, please feel free to leave a comment on the YouTube video, and we'll be happy to help you troubleshoot!

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