If you want more control over versions (e.g., sticking to an Early Access Program build or rolling back versions), the JetBrains Toolbox is the way to go.
| Your situation | Best method | |----------------|--------------| | Regular PHP developer | JetBrains Toolbox | | Beginner / quick setup | Snap ( sudo snap install phpstorm ) | | Multi‑user machine | Manual install in /opt |
The plugin ecosystem is what makes JetBrains IDEs unstoppable. Here are three must-haves for Ubuntu developers:
-Dsun.java2d.opengl=true -Dawt.toolkit.name=GTK phpstorm ubuntu
To add a desktop launcher: In PhpStorm → → Create Desktop Entry .
Install :
sudo ln -s /opt/PhpStorm-*/bin/phpstorm.sh /usr/local/bin/phpstorm If you want more control over versions (e
Exclude these folders in → Directories (Mark as Excluded ):
Add this alias to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc :
The easiest method for automatic updates. Run the following command in your terminal: sudo snap install phpstorm --classic . Install : sudo ln -s /opt/PhpStorm-*/bin/phpstorm
Snap is pre‑installed on Ubuntu. Open a terminal and run:
Enter .