Getting started with SKipper

The first thing to do is download SKipper for your device(s). You can run SKipper on any combination of devices, such as an iPad, a Linux laptop, and a Windows desktop.

Find your OS below and follow the instructions for installing SKipper.

Raspberry Pi and Linux (ARM/ARM64/AMD64)

SKipper has ready-made packages to be installed on your Linux-based OS. This includes Raspbian for the Pi, and other Debian-based Linux distributions. (Must be AMD64, ARM64 or ARM32 architecture.)

To add the SKipper repository to your list of software sources, open a terminal window and run:

curl -1sLf 'https://docs.skipperapp.net/install-skipper.sh' | sudo -E bash

Follow the prompts, and your repository list will be updated. The script that you download and start to install SKipper repository looks like this:

apt update && apt install -y curl gnupg
curl http://packages.skipperapp.net/skipperapp/public.gpg | gpg --yes --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/openrepo-skipperapp.gpg
echo "deb [arch=any signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/openrepo-skipperapp.gpg] http://packages.skipperapp.net/skipperapp/ stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/openrepo-skipperapp.list
apt update

Now you can install SKipper either with a terminal command, or through your Package Manager. The terminal command is:

sudo apt-get install skipperapp

If you prefer to use your Package Manager application, you can launch it and search for "skipper", then install it the way you would any other application.

You will find Skipper at your Main Menu -> Accessories -> SKipper App.

SKipper can run without XWindow using Linux DRM. The advantage is that it will start much faster and it's always full screen. So if you want just a touchscreen-enabled dashboard or a relay control screen, this is the ideal way to run SKipper. You can find instructions for this advanced setup here.

If you have installed SKipper from CloudSmith package repository, you can remove it by using following commands:

rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/skipper-skipperapp.list
apt-get clean
rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
apt-get update

NOTE: CloudSmith repository will no longer be maintained and new versions won't appear there.

Windows (Intel/AMD)

Download the latest version of the SKipper installation program for Windows here, and install it like you would any Windows program.

Mac OS (Intel/ARM)

SKipper is fully compatible with Mac OS, right now we're finishing packaging and deployment setup.

Android (tablet and phone)

SKipper is available in the Google Play Store.

iOS (iPhone, iPad)

SKipper is available in the Apple Store for both iPhone and iPad OS.

Browser / Web Assembly

Later this year we'll offer SKipper Signal K plugin that can run in web browser. We do have working demo here but it's not ready and will be launched later this year!

OK, I have SKipper installed - now what?

Great! Now, on any device, start SKipper however you normally start a program or app on that device. Follow the prompts to begin the First Time Setup process, which is detailed here.