How to Install Postman on Ubuntu 20.04

Postman is a popular tool for API development and testing, offering developers the capability to test, debug, and collaborate on APIs seamlessly. If you are using a Linux environment, such as Ubuntu 20.04, installing Postman can be straightforward. This guide will walk you through a few methods to get Postman up and running, whether you're working on a local server or hosting environment.

Why Install Postman on Ubuntu 20.04?

For developers who work with API integrations on a colocation server, local server, or a hosting platform, Postman is an essential tool. It allows users to send requests, view responses, and test API endpoints to streamline development. Installing Postman on Ubuntu 20.04 enables easy access to these functionalities, letting you manage and test APIs locally or across different server setups.

Prerequisites for Installing Postman

Before installing Postman, ensure you have the following:

A system running Ubuntu 20.04

User privileges with sudo access

An active internet connection

Method 1: Install Postman Using Snap Package

Ubuntu 20.04 includes Snap, a universal Linux package manager, by default. Snap is a convenient way to install and update applications while managing dependencies.

Step 1: Update System Packages

Begin by updating your system packages to ensure you’re working with the latest versions:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Postman via Snap

Use the following command to install Postman through Snap:

sudo snap install postman

This command downloads and installs the latest version of Postman. Snap takes care of all dependencies, so you don’t need to worry about compatibility issues.

Step 3: Verify Installation

Once the installation is complete, you can verify it by launching Postman from the terminal:

postman

Alternatively, you can open it from the applications menu. Postman should now be ready for API testing and development.

Method 2: Install Postman Using the Tarball Package

If Snap is not available or preferred in your environment, you can install Postman manually by downloading the tarball package from the official source. This method gives more control over the installation and is commonly used in server or colocation setups where Snap may not be installed.

Step 1: Download the Postman Tarball

First, download the latest Postman tarball package using the wget command:

wget https://dl.pstmn.io/download/latest/linux64 -O postman.tar.gz

This command downloads the tarball file and saves it as postman.tar.gz in your current directory.

Step 2: Extract the Tarball

After downloading, extract the tarball using the following command:

sudo tar -xzf postman.tar.gz -C /opt

This command unpacks the files into the /opt directory, a common location for storing optional software packages.

Step 3: Create a Symbolic Link

To make it easier to launch Postman, create a symbolic link to the Postman executable in /usr/bin:

sudo ln -s /opt/Postman/Postman /usr/bin/postman

Step 4: Create a Desktop Entry

If you’d like Postman to appear in your applications menu, create a desktop entry file:

sudo nano /usr/share/applications/postman.desktop

Add the following lines to the file:

[Desktop Entry]

Name=Postman

Comment=Postman API Development Environment

Exec=/usr/bin/postman

Icon=/opt/Postman/app/resources/app/assets/icon.png

Terminal=false

Type=Application

Categories=Development;

Save and close the file. Postman should now appear in your applications menu for easy access.

Step 5: Launch Postman

With everything set up, launch Postman by typing postman in the terminal or selecting it from the applications menu. You’re now ready to use Postman for API testing and development.

Uninstalling Postman

If you ever need to remove Postman from your server or colocation environment, the steps are straightforward:

Uninstalling via Snap

If you installed Postman using Snap, you can remove it with this command:

sudo snap remove postman

Uninstalling the Tarball Installation

For the manual tarball installation, remove the Postman directory and symbolic link:

sudo rm -rf /opt/Postman

sudo rm /usr/bin/postman

sudo rm /usr/share/applications/postman.desktop

Running Postman in Hosting or Colocation Environments

In hosting environments or colocation setups, running Postman on Ubuntu 20.04 can offer flexibility for local API testing and development. It’s possible to use Postman in conjunction with server-side applications to verify API behavior in different hosting configurations. For instance, in a colocation setup where you have root access, Postman can act as a local API client, connecting to hosted services to perform health checks, debug, and validate API requests across various servers.

Conclusion

Installing Postman on Ubuntu 20.04 is relatively simple, with Snap being the most convenient method for quick installation and easy updates. Alternatively, the manual tarball installation is ideal for server and colocation setups where Snap might not be available. This versatile tool is invaluable in a variety of development and cloud hosting environments, making it easier for developers to interact with and manage APIs efficiently. By following these steps, you can set up Postman and start working on API development with a reliable and efficient testing environment.