Linux build is impossible (missing public dependency) + Flatpak package is broken

[lusmo]

Hello,
I tried to build OpenBubbles for Linux (Fedora 43) from the public repository and found two critical problems that make the Linux client currently impossible to run or compile.

1) flutter pub get requires authentication to GitHub

Running:

flutter pub get

results in:

Resolving dependencies...
Username for 'https://github.com':

This means that one of the dependencies in pubspec.yaml points to a private GitHub repository.
Because of that, the public source code cannot be built — the missing repo blocks dependency resolution.

→ Please check the GitHub dependencies and ensure all of them are public or vendored into the repo.
At this moment the Linux build is not reproducible from the open-source repository.

2) Flatpak package is broken on all Linux distributions

Running the Flatpak version from Flathub results in:

error while loading shared libraries: libayatana-appindicator3.so.1: cannot open shared object file

When trying to run the bundled binary manually:

libmpv.so.2: cannot open shared object file

The Flatpak sandbox cannot access system libraries, and the GNOME 48 runtime does not contain libayatana-appindicator3 or libmpv.
These libraries also are not bundled inside the Flatpak package.

→ This makes the Flatpak build non-functional on Linux (Fedora 43, Ubuntu, Arch, etc.).

3) Linux folder is present, but the app cannot be built

The repository contains:

linux/
  CMakeLists.txt
  main.cc
  my_application.cc
  my_application.h

and Linux-specific dependencies (e.g. media_kit_libs_linux) are listed in pubspec.yaml, so Linux support appears intended.
However, because the private dependency blocks flutter pub get, it is currently impossible to compile.

Summary
Problems:

Linux desktop build fails due to private GitHub dependency

Flatpak package is missing required libraries (libayatana-appindicator3 and libmpv)

No publicly accessible binary for Linux exists

Public source tree cannot produce a working Linux desktop client

Requested:

Please make all Flutter dependencies publicly accessible

Or vendor them into this repository

Fix the Flatpak package by bundling required libraries:

libayatana-appindicator3.so.1

libmpv.so.2

Optionally provide an AppImage / tar.gz build for Linux

This will make Linux support fully functional and reproducible.

Thank you.

[lusmo]

Addendum — Additional verified information (Linux)

After further testing on Fedora Linux, the following facts are confirmed:

---

1) Flatpak package is broken

Running the Flatpak package results in:

libayatana-appindicator3.so.1: cannot open shared object file
libmpv.so.2: cannot open shared object file

These libraries are not included in the GNOME Platform runtime and not bundled in the Flatpak package.
Since the Flatpak sandbox cannot use system libraries, the Flatpak build cannot run on any Linux system.

---

2) Full Flutter Linux build is currently impossible

Running:

flutter pub get

prompts for GitHub credentials and fails with:

fatal: Authentication failed for 'https://github.com/chipweinberger/flutter_isolate.git/'

Opening the dependency URL in a browser:

https://github.com/chipweinberger/flutter_isolate

returns 404 Not Found.

This means the dependency is:

• private, or
• deleted, or
• moved/renamed

As a result, the public source code cannot be built for Linux.

---

3) No alternative build path exists

All available build paths were tested:

• Flutter build → blocked by missing flutter_isolate
• Docker → uses the same source tree, also fails
• AppImage → no Linux build provided
• Linux binary → not available in Releases
• Flatpak → missing required libraries inside sandbox

There is currently no functional method to obtain a working Linux client from the public code.

---

4) Suggested actions

To restore Linux support, please consider:

1. Replace or remove the flutter_isolate dependency
2. Or make the referenced repository public
3. Or vendor that dependency into this repository
4. Update Flatpak packaging to include required libraries:
   • libayatana-appindicator3.so.1
   • libmpv.so.2

---

Thank you for looking into this.

[sawyerpollard]

@lusmo I just wanted to add that I attempted to compile OpenBubbles on Linux a couple of months ago.

I rely pretty heavily on OpenBubbles so would love to see its development continued.

I fear that this project is no longer being developed however.

I am interested in stepping up to continue development but don't think I could do so by myself.