packaging(linux): distro packages (deb, rpm, Flatpak, optional AUR)

[ZhuchkaTriplesix]

Parent

Part of #379

Problem

Besides portable zip and AppImage, users on major Linux distros expect native/near-native installers. One AppImage helps, but Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora/RHEL, and Flathub-style Flatpak cover most desktops; Arch users often want AUR.

Scope (phased)

P0 — pick and ship at least two of

1. .deb (Debian / Ubuntu / derivatives) — CI build from linux release bundle + desktop file + dependencies (libgtk-3, libsecret-1, …)
2. .rpm (Fedora / RHEL / openSUSE-friendly) — same payload, rpm metadata
3. Flatpak (distro-agnostic; sandbox notes for DB drivers / localhost access)

P1 — optional

4. AUR / PKGBUILD (community-maintained or official) documenting source of zip/AppImage
5. Snap only if product explicitly wants it (updater already treats SNAP as managed)

CI / Release UX

• Publish artifacts with clear names, e.g.:
  • Querya-Desktop-{ver}-linux.deb
  • Querya-Desktop-{ver}-linux.rpm
  • Flatpak via Flathub or attach .flatpak / manifest + build in CI (decide in implementation)
• List under Installable (Linux) next to AppImage; keep zip as Portable
• Document install commands per distro family in README / docs/tags-and-releases.md
• Coordinate bundle id with the com.example replacement issue before Flathub/desktop files freeze the id

Acceptance

• At least deb + one of (rpm | Flatpak) published or linked from Releases for a tagged build
• Desktop entry + icon install correctly; app launches on a smoke distro per format
• Dependencies documented (GTK, libsecret, etc.)
• Updater behavior: for deb/rpm/Flatpak prefer package-manager update messaging when detected (FLATPAK_ID already exists); deb/rpm may stay on zip/AppImage channel until native update story exists — document the chosen policy
• SHA256SUMS.txt includes attached packages

Notes

• Prefer not blocking 0.4.11 on full distro matrix; land after dual-channel skeleton (AppImage + portable zip).
• Reuse the same Flutter linux bundle payload across deb/rpm/AppImage to avoid N divergent builds.

References

• #379 epic
• AppImage sibling issue
• update_install_context.dart (Flatpak/Snap detection)
• docs/getting-started.md (libsecret build deps)

[ZhuchkaTriplesix]

Partial landing in #393 (.deb + CI). Still needed on this issue: rpm, Flatpak, optional AUR.

[ZhuchkaTriplesix]

Partially shipped in 0.4.11: .deb + AppImage in Release CI. Remaining: rpm, Flatpak, optional AUR — track here for a follow-up release.