Installing Nautilus on Gentoo

This guide provides step‐by‐step instructions for installing Nautilus—the GNOME file manager—on a Gentoo system. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure a smooth, error‐free installation.

Overview

Nautilus is the default file manager for GNOME and can be installed on Gentoo from the Portage tree. This document covers:

Prerequisites and system preparation
Synchronizing the Portage tree and updating the system
Adjusting USE flags (if needed)
Installing Nautilus
Post-installation configuration and troubleshooting

Prerequisites

Before you begin, verify that:

You have a working Gentoo installation with root privileges (or sudo configured)
Your Portage tree is up-to-date
You have sufficient disk space and network connectivity
(Optional) You have decided which USE flags you wish to enable for Nautilus (for example, dbus support)

Step 1: Synchronize the Portage Tree

Ensure your Portage tree is fresh so that you get the latest ebuilds:

sudo emerge --sync

Step 2: Update Your System

It is advisable to update your system to minimize dependency issues:

sudo emerge -uDNav @world

Note: This step may take some time depending on pending updates.*

Step 3: Adjust USE Flags (if necessary)

Nautilus may benefit from specific USE flags. For example, enabling DBus support is common. 1. Open (or create) a package-specific USE file for Nautilus:

   sudo nano /etc/portage/package.use/nautilus.conf

2. Add the following line (adjust as required):

   gnome-base/nautilus dbus

3. Save and exit the editor.

Remember:* You can inspect and adjust global USE flags in `/etc/portage/make.conf` as necessary.

Step 4: Install Nautilus

Install Nautilus using Portage. In Gentoo, Nautilus is provided in the category `gnome-base`, so run:

sudo emerge -av gnome-base/nautilus

The `-a` flag will ask for confirmation before installation, and `-v` shows verbose output to help monitor progress.

Step 5: Post-Installation Configuration

After Nautilus is installed, consider the following:

**Desktop Environment Integration:**

 If you are running GNOME, Nautilus should integrate automatically.  
 For non-GNOME desktop environments, you may need to set Nautilus as the default file manager by updating your MIME type associations.

**Ensure Required Services are Running:**

 For example, if you enabled DBus support, confirm that the DBus daemon is active:

  sudo rc-update add dbus default
  sudo /etc/init.d/dbus start

**Customization:**

 Nautilus preferences can be adjusted via its GUI or GSettings (e.g., using `dconf-editor`).

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during installation:

**Dependency or USE Flag Conflicts:**

 Revisit the output of the emerge command, and adjust USE flags in `/etc/portage/package.use/nautilus.conf` if necessary.

**Log Inspection:**

 Check `/var/log/emerge.log` for detailed error output.

Conclusion

Following these steps carefully should result in a flawless installation of Nautilus on your Gentoo system. You now have a fully operational file manager integrated well with your desktop environment. For further customization or troubleshooting, refer to Gentoo’s official documentation and community resources.