KDE

KDE is a powerful graphical desktop environment for Unix workstations.

Available versions
KDE SC 4 is the current KDE version supported by upstream. In Portage there is a stable version, and there might be one (or more) non-stable versions. Under normal conditions new versions get in stabilized after a month. In addition, KDE upstream provides live git source repositories. The Gentoo KDE team provides trunk and latest branch live ebuilds through the kde overlay.

Choose what KDE SC version is most appropriate for you:

Profile
The Desktop profile has been split to KDE and GNOME subprofiles. This means that KDE and GNOME specific USE flags have been stripped from the basic desktop profile and have been migrated to the subprofiles. Choosing a subprofile does not restrict you to use only the equivalent desktop environment. In order to choose the profile that suits you, run

to get the profile list, and

where X is the appropriate number of the profile you want to select. See the page on profiles for more details. For a full KDE desktop environment we recommend to use the desktop/kde profile, which is specially tailored for KDE.

USE flags
Before you install KDE SC it is recommended that you set several useflags. Part of that is done automatically if you use a desktop/kde or desktop profile. In detail you should use:

Follow the links in the table for information how to set up these services. Note that other USE flag combinations than set in this profile may technically be possible (especially if you do not run a full KDE DE but only selected applications), but may be unsupported, untested, or lead to unexpected loss of functionality.

If you changed any global useflags, you should later include the -N flag when running the actual emerge command which updates your system, e.g.

Kernel settings
If you are rolling your own kernel, you will want to install one with the following options: CONFIG_USB_SUSPEND=y CONFIG_IDE=n CONFIG_AUDITSYSCALL=y

Packages
In Gentoo there are various packages that will install a KDE environment: It's usually a good idea to start with and emerge whatever else you need as you go:
 * , the full KDE suite
 * , a basic KDE environment
 * , a very minimal, effectively unsupported KDE environment (no KDE applications or artwork)

There are other meta packages that can be installed to pull in parts of the KDE suite:
 * : Accessibility applications and utilities.
 * : Administrative utilities, which helps you manage your system.
 * : Extra themes, screensavers, etc.
 * : Bindings for various languages.
 * :Educational applications and "games".
 * : Standard desktop games.
 * : Graphics applications such as image viewers, color pickers, etc.
 * : Audio and video playback applications and services.
 * : Network applications and VNC services.
 * : PIM applications such as emailer, addressbook, organizer, etc.
 * : Various development tools.
 * : Toy like applications.
 * : Standard desktop utilities such as a archiver, a calculator, etc.
 * : Web development tools.

KDE SC 4.7
KDE SC 4.7.4 is the current stable release for ppc. So, if you are running a stable ppc system, portage will by default install this version.

KDE SC 4.8
KDE SC 4.8.3 is under stabilization and already stable for amd64 and x86. So, if you are running a stable amd64 or x86 system, portage will by default install this version. KDE SC 4.8.5 is in portage, currently as ~testing, but stabilization is planned for the near future.

KDE SC 4.9
KDE SC 4.9.0 is in portage, currently as ~testing. Stabilization is not planned yet. Users with stable systems need to put this keywords file in /etc/portage/package.keywords to emerge it.

Localization
For localization of KDE install. If you want only selected languages, define beforehand the LINGUAS USE flag:

For localization of packages included in you need to install, too:

Service
Set KDM as your display manager:

You can now start KDE:

To start KDE at boot time, add it your default runlevel:

Widgets
Many useful widget are in the package:

More KDE software
The most important KDE programs are in the portage tree and are mostly located in the kde-base and kde-misc categories.

Hints
See the Hints subpage.

Troubleshooting
See the Troubleshooting subpage.

External resources

 * Official KDE user wiki
 * Official KDE forum
 * KDE-Apps.org
 * KDE-Look.org
 * KDE-Files.org