Product guide

Screen annotation on Linux with EpicPencil

EpicPencil lets you draw over your Linux desktop using a floating toolbar. Before installing, check your computer architecture and whether your session uses X11 or Wayland.

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Choose your distribution package

The available packages target Linux x64 (Intel or AMD). They are not ARM packages. Choose DEB for Debian or Ubuntu, or RPM for Fedora and RPM-compatible distributions.

Open the downloaded file with your distribution’s package installer. If you prefer a terminal, run the matching command from the directory where you saved the file:

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt install ./epicpencil_amd64.deb

Fedora

sudo dnf install ./epicpencil.x86_64.rpm

Your package manager may ask for authorization and resolve dependencies. You do not need to install the .NET SDK to build the application when using a published package.

Check whether you use X11 or Wayland

You can check your session type from a terminal:

echo "$XDG_SESSION_TYPE"

A result of x11 or wayland identifies the session. If the variable is empty, check your desktop environment’s session information.

On Wayland, EpicPencil documents that global shortcuts cannot be registered. Use the toolbar to switch tools and toggle the overlay. If you need global shortcuts and your distribution offers an X11/Xorg session, you can select it when signing in.

Draw and switch back to desktop interaction

  1. Open EpicPencil from your application menu.
  2. Choose the pencil or highlighter, adjust the color and drag the mouse to draw.
  3. Use the toolbar to switch between drawing and interacting with the underlying application.
  4. Correct a mark with the eraser or clear annotations when finished.

Where your session supports global shortcuts, the defaults are Ctrl + Shift + D to toggle modes and Ctrl + Shift + C to clear.

What to expect from the overlay

On X11, EpicPencil uses the SHAPE input region when available to let clicks pass through. On environments that do not support this behavior, the application may hide the overlay in interaction mode so you can keep using your desktop.

Try an annotation and a mode switch before a presentation. Also check your meeting software’s screen capture: results can vary with the session and capture method.

If you need help

If shortcuts do not respond, first check the session type and try the toolbar controls. To report a problem, include your distribution and version, desktop environment, whether you use X11 or Wayland, EpicPencil version and reproduction steps.

Read the project source and instructions or report a problem in its issue tracker. To explore the product before installing, read the EpicPencil as an Epic Pen alternative guide.

Guides to get started