Following System76's stable release of the Rust-based COSMIC desktop with Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS, an unofficial personal package archive (PPA) now lets Ubuntu 24.04 users install it without switching distributions. The PPA targets Ubuntu and derivatives like Linux Mint 22.x, but users should be cautious of potential package conflicts.
The unofficial PPA at ppa:hepp3n/cosmic-epoch simplifies access to COSMIC for Ubuntu users. Add it with: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:hepp3n/cosmic-epoch, then sudo apt update and sudo apt install cosmic-session.
During installation, choose a display manager: cosmic-greeter for full commitment or gdm3 for easy reversion to GNOME. Log out, select the COSMIC session from the login screen's gear icon, and explore features like the top-left workspace switcher and bottom dock launcher.
Tests on fresh Ubuntu 24.04 LTS showed smooth tiling, rich customization, and solid gaming. Note potential impacts on Mesa, Wayland, LLVM 20, and Rust.
To revert: Select GNOME at login, run sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm3, and sudo apt remove cosmic-session. This PPA expands COSMIC experimentation, though its unofficial status calls for backups and testing.
