How to Install PhpStorm and Create Launcher in Ubuntu?

PhpStorm is a cross-platform IDE that offers a uniform experience across Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux

Now let’s present How to Install PhpStorm and Create Launcher in Ubuntu?

Install using the Toolbox App

Installing JetBrains products is best through the JetBrains Toolbox App. Install and manage several products or versions of the same product, including Early Access Program (EAP) and Nightly releases, update and roll back as needed, and delete any tool with ease.
The Toolbox App keeps track of all your projects so you can instantly access any of them in the appropriate IDE and version.

For Windows

Install the Toolbox App

1. Download the installer .exe from the Toolbox App web page.

2. Run the installer and follow the wizard steps.

After you run the Toolbox App, click its icon in the notification area and select which product and version you want to install.

Log in to your JetBrains Account from the Toolbox App, and the available licenses for any IDE you install will be automatically activated.

For macOS

Install the Toolbox App

• Download the disk image .dmg from the Toolbox App web page.

1. NOTE: There are separate disk images for Intel and Apple Silicon processors.

2. Mount the image and drag the JetBrains Toolbox app to the Applications folder.

After you run the Toolbox App, click its icon in the main menu. Then select which product and version you want to install.

Log in to your JetBrains account via the Toolbox App. Then the available licenses for any IDE you install will be automatically activated.

For Linux

Install the Toolbox App

• Download the tarball .tar.gz from the Toolbox App web page.

• Extract the tarball to a directory that supports file execution.

  For example, if the downloaded version is 1.17.7391, you can extract it to the recommended /opt directory using the following command:

          sudo tar -xzf jetbrains-toolbox-1.17.7391.tar.gz -C /opt

To start the Toolbox App, execute the jetbrains-toolbox binary from the extracted directory and select which product and version you want to install.
The Toolbox App will automatically add the Toolbox App icon to the main menu.

Log in to your JetBrains Account from the Toolbox App. It will automatically activate the available licenses for any IDE that you install.

You can use this shell script that automatically downloads the tarball with the latest version of the Toolbox App, extracts it to the recommended /opt directory, and creates a symbolic link in the /usr/local/bin directory.

Standalone installation

To manage the location of each instance and all configuration files, manually install PhpStorm. If you have a policy that specifies specified installation locations, for example.

For Windows

• Download the installer .exe.

• Run the installer and follow the wizard steps.

  On the Installation Options step, you can configure the following:

• Make a shortcut to PhpStorm on your desktop.
• To start the PhpStorm command-line launchers from any working directory in the Command Prompt, add the directory containing them to the PATH environment variable.
• Add the option to open a folder as a project to the system context menu (when you right-click a folder).
• PhpStorm may be configured to open specified file extensions with a double-click.

Find PhpStorm in the Windows Start menu or use the desktop shortcut to launch it. The launcher batch script or executable can also be found in the installation path under bin.

For macOS

1. Download the disk image.

     2. Mount the image and drag the PhpStorm app to the Applications folder.

Run the PhpStorm app from the Applications directory, Launchpad, or Spotlight.

When you initially start PhpStorm, you can go through a few steps to finish the installation, modify your instance, and get started with the IDE.

For Linux

• Download the tarball .tar.gz.

• Extract the tarball to a directory that supports file execution.

  For example, to extract it to the recommended /opt directory, run the following command:

             sudo tar -xzf PhpStorm-*.tar.gz -C /opt


Do not extract the tarball over an existing installation to avoid conflicts. Always extract it to a clean directory.

      Execute the PhpStorm.sh script from the extracted directory to run PhpStorm.

To create a desktop entry, do one of the following:

• On the Welcome screen, click Configure | Create Desktop Entry

• From the main menu, click Tools | Create Desktop Entry

When you initially start PhpStorm, you can go through a few steps to finish the installation, modify your instance, and get started with the IDE.

Silent installation on Windows

Without any user interface, a silent installation carries out. It allows network administrators to install PhpStorm on multiple workstations without interfering with other users.

To perform silent install, run the installer with the following switches:

• /S: Enable silent install

• /CONFIG: Specify the path to the silent configuration file

• /D: Specify the path to the installation directory

  This parameter must be the last in the command line and it should not contain any quotes even if the path contains blank spaces.

For example:

PhpStorm-*.exe /S /CONFIG=d:\temp\silent.config /D=d:\IDE\PhpStorm

To check for issues during the installation process, add the /LOG switch with the log file path and name between the /S and /D parameters. The installer will generate the specified log file. For example:

PhpStorm-*.exe /S /CONFIG=d:\temp\silent.config /LOG=d:\JetBrains\PhpStorm\install.log /D=d:\IDE\PhpStorm

Silent configuration file

You can download the default silent configuration file for PhpStorm at https://download.jetbrains.com/webide/silent.config

The quiet configuration file specifies the installation options for PhpStorm.Silent installation is only performed for the  user with the default options: mode=user. Change the value of the installation mode option to mode=admin and run the installer as an administrator if you want PhpStorm to be installed for all users.

Each JetBrains product has its own default silent configuration file. You can change it as needed to allow or disable certain installation options.

It is possible to install silently without using the configuration file.
If this is the case, leave the /CONFIG option off and run the installer as an administrator. The installer will disregard all additional settings if the quiet configuration file is missing: it will not create desktop shortcuts, add associations, or update the PATH variable. It will, however, generate a shortcut under JetBrains in the Start menu.

How to Create Launcher in Ubuntu

1. Right-click unused space in any panel (the toolbars at the top and/or bottom of the screen)
2. Choose Add To Panel…
3. Choose Custom Application Launcher

4. Fill in Name, Command, and Comment

   • Name is you want to call the link, such as “Firefox” or “Gaim”

   • Command is what you would type in the terminal to launch the program. You can also click the “Browse” button to find the program on your computer.

   • Comment is for a short explanation of the program. This and the Name will appear when you hover your mouse over the launcher.

5. Click the No Icon button to select an icon for your launcher. You may find icons in /usr/share/icons/crystalsvg/16×16/apps/ or elsewhere. You could also make them yourself using GIMP or any other graphic editor.

6. Click OK

7. Your launcher should now appear on the panel

You may also find directions on adding launchers in Ubuntu’s built-in help. From the System menu select “Help and Support” then “Customising Your Desktop > Cutomising Panels > Launchers.“

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