How to Install Packages in Atom Editor

Edited 2 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Atom is a free and open-source text and source code editor developed by GitHub. It is known for its ease of customization and flexibility, driven by its support for third-party packages. These packages extend the core features of Atom, add new functionalities or modify existing ones. In this detailed guide, you will learn step-by-step how to install packages in Atom editor, manage them efficiently, and explore some useful packages to enhance your coding environment.

Before getting into package installation, it is good to have some basic understanding of what a package is. In simple terms, a package in Atom is a collection of scripts, stylesheets, and resources that add specific functionality to the editor. You can find packages that support programming languages, modify UI themes, include add-ons, and more.

Step-by-step guide to installing packages

Atom makes it relatively easy to install, uninstall, and manage packages thanks to its built-in package management system. Below, we'll explore the two primary ways to install packages: searching through Atom's graphical user interface and using the command line.

Method 1: Installing packages through Atom's GUI

This method is straightforward, as it requires minimal command-line interaction. Here are the steps:

1. Open Atom: Start by launching the Atom editor on your computer. If you haven't already installed Atom, visit the official Atom website and download the latest version for your operating system. Run the setup file to install it.
2. Access the Settings view: Once Atom is open, go to the top menu and click File → Settings on Windows/Linux or Atom → Preferences on macOS. This action opens the Settings view.
3. Go to the Install section: In the Settings view, you'll see a list of options on the left sidebar. Click Install - this will open an interface where you can search for new packages and themes.
4. Search for a package: In the search bar under the Install Packages section, type the name of the package you want to install. Atom will show a list of matching packages. You can also search for featured or trending packages there.
5. Install the package: When you find a package you're interested in, click the Install button next to its name. Atom will automatically download and install the package for you. After installation, the package will be ready to use.

Method 2: Installing the package via command line

If you prefer to use the command line, Atom provides a command-line tool apm (Atom Package Manager) to handle packages. Here's how to use it:

1. Open the Terminal or Command Prompt. Depending on your operating system, open the Terminal (macOS/Linux) or Command Prompt (Windows).
2. Check the APM installation: To make sure apm is installed and accessible, type apm --version and press Enter. If it is not recognized, make sure Atom is installed correctly. However, apm usually comes bundled with Atom.
3. Search for a package: Use apm search package-name command to find the package you want. Replace package-name with your specific search term. For example, if you want to install a package named emmet, you would type apm search emmet.
4. Install the package: Once you find the desired package, install it using apm install package-name. For example, apm install emmet will install the Emmet package.

Package management

After you install packages, you may want to manage and configure them. Here's how you can do so effectively, both through the GUI and the command line.

Enabling and disabling packages

Sometimes you may need to enable or disable a package without uninstalling it. This can be beneficial when you suspect a package is causing problems, but you don't want to lose its settings or remove it entirely.

• Using the GUI:
  • Navigate to File → Settings → Packages (or Atom → Preferences → Packages on macOS).
  • Here you can see all the installed packages. You can toggle each package by clicking on Disable or Enable.
• Using the command line:
  • Disable a package: apm disable package-name.
  • Enable the package: apm enable package-name.

Updating packages

Keeping your packages updated ensures you have the latest features and security solutions.

• Via the GUI:
  • Check for updates under File → Settings → Updates.
  • You will see a list of all packages with available updates; click Update All to update them all at once, or update them individually.
• Via the command line:
  • Use apm update to update all packages.
  • Alternatively, update a specific package: apm update package-name.

Uninstalling a package

If you no longer need a package, or it's causing conflicts, uninstalling it can reallocate resources and tidy up your environment.

• Via the GUI:
  • Go to File → Settings → Package.
  • Locate the package you want to uninstall. Click Uninstall and confirm your action.
• Via the command line:
  • Run the command: apm uninstall package-name.

Popular Atom packages to install

With thousands of packages available, trying some of the popular ones can significantly increase your productivity:

• Emmet: A must-have for web developers, Emmet provides high-speed coding workflow features for HTML, CSS, and other languages.
• Minimap: Adds a preview of your code in a small side panel, facilitating quick navigation through documents.
• file-icons: Enhances Atom's file tree with pretty icons for different file types.
• highlight-selected: This package highlights all the words in your file when you select a word.
• Atom Beautify: Automatically formats and beautifies your code according to predefined styles.
• Linter: Integrates static code analysis tools, and provides immediate feedback about errors and problems in your code.

Troubleshooting common problems

When installing or managing packages, you may encounter some common problems. Here's how you can resolve them:

• Package failures: If a package fails to install, try restarting Atom and your computer, check your Internet connection, or look for similar problems on community forums.
• Version conflict: Make sure your packages are fully updated and compatible with your version of Atom. Sometimes, older packages may not work with new Atom updates.
• Performance issues: If you notice that Atom is running slowly, check for conflicting packages and disable unnecessary packages. Reducing the number of active packages can significantly improve performance.

Atom's flexibility and its vibrant community contribute to a rich ecosystem of packages. By learning how to effectively install and manage these packages, you can tailor the editor to your coding style and preferences. As you continue exploring Atom, remember to regularly check for new packages that can enhance your workflow. Thank you for choosing this guide to understand package installation in the Atom editor!

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