Debian Linux initial setup guide

Whenever I buy a computer or have to re-install the operating system, I find myself gravitating towards Debian-based Linux distributions for the operating system. In the recent past, this has included Ubuntu, Raspberry Pi OS, and Pop!_OS. I have to run through very similar initial steps to get started with all of these, so it’s about time to document them!

Run the command: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

This will check for updates and install them.

Install ufw (uncomplicated firewall): sudo apt install ufw

For Ubuntu devices, remove the Apache web server: sudo apt purge apache2

I have 2 use cases for machines - headless servers, and daily drivers PCs that I need the graphical user interface for. Setup varies slightly for the different use cases.

1. Install Tailscale VPN: https://tailscale.com/download
2. Install SSH (for headless systems)

• sudo apt install openssh-server - installs the SSH server
• sudo systemctl start ssh - start the SSH server
• sudo systemctl enable ssh - enable SSH on computer boot

3. Install fail2ban SSH intrusion software, using default settings

• sudo apt install fail2ban - install the software
• sudo systemctl enable fail2ban - enable fail2ban on computer boot
• sudo systemctl start fail2ban - start the fail2ban service

4. Setup key-based SSH login

• On any client devices, generate SSH keys using ssh-keygen and copy the public key to the server using ssh-copy-id
• Disable root login and password login in the SSH configuration file /etc/ssh/sshd_config
  • Set: PasswordAuthentication no
  • Set: PermitRootLogin no
  • Save changes
  • sudo systemctl restart ssh - restart the SSH service to apply changes

• Git: version control tool
  • sudo apt install git
  • If using GitHub repositories:
    • setup fine-grained Git access tokens, for scoped access to private Git information
    • setup signed commits
• net-tools: utilities for managing network, including ifconfig to get network adapter information
  • sudo apt install net-tools
• Neovim: a more feature rich version of Vim, which is a terminal text editor
  • sudo apt-get install neovim
• Docker: containerization tool, which I use to run many services on my network
  • Installation instructions: https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/

Add the following to the ~/.bash_profile file:

# Quickly navigate to Git repository directory
alias repo='cd ~/repos'
# Quickly clear the screen input, using the Windows command
alias cls='clear'
# Checkout the main branch and pull
alias main='git checkout main && git pull'
# Set my terminal prompt, so it has Git branch information and looks consistent across devices
export PS1='\n\[\e[1;37m\]\[\e[1;32m\]\u\[\e[0;39m\]@\[\e[1;36m\]\h\[\e[0;39m\]:\[\e[1;33m\]\w\[\e[0;39m\]\[\e[1;35m\]$(__git_ps1 " (%s)")\[\e[0;39m\]\[\e[1;37m\]\[\e[0;39m\]\n$ '
# Simplify the computer update process with an "update" command
alias update='sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade'

Run the following commands:

sudo apt purge -y apport
sudo apt remove -y popularity-contest
sudo apt autoremove -y

The methods for backing up your machine can widely vary here. My usual go-to is running syncthing with Docker to keep important files backed up with a storage server.

For headed systems: set keyboard shortcuts! Ideas for shortcuts to add usually include:

• opening applications menu, search, workspaces
• play, pause, next song, previous song
• mute microphone