Install Atom Text Editor in Ubuntu 16.04 (both 32&64bit)

Atom is an open-source text editor designed to be deeply customizable, but still approachable using the default configuration. It’s a “hackable text editor for the 21st century”, built on Electron.

While Atom offers only 64-bit binary packages (.deb) for Ubuntu, here’s how to install Atom in both 32-bit and 64-bit of Ubuntu 16.04, 14.04, and keep it up-to-date by receiving the software updates via Software Updater utility.

Atom text editor feature:

• Tweak its UI with CSS and add new features with HTML or Javascript
• Node.js integration
• Cross-platform support: Windows, Linux, and OS X.
• A built-in package manager
• Smart autocompletion
• Split Atom interface into multiple panes
• File system browser
• Find and replace
• Support themes

How to install Atom in Ubuntu via PPA:

Webupd8 Team is maintaining an unofficial PPA with most recent Atom packages for all current Ubuntu releases, and derivatives. While official Linux binary is 64-bit only, the PPA supports both 32-bit and 64-bit.

1. Add PPA

Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run the command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/atom

Type in password when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Update and install Atom editor:

Update system package index and install the text editor via command:

sudo apt update; sudo apt install atom

Once Atom is installed and a new release is out in future, you can simply upgrade the editor by running regular system updates via Software Updater utility.

3. (Optional) To remove Atom text editor

To remove the software, use Synaptic Package Manager or just run apt command with remove flag:

sudo apt remove --purge atom

And the PPA can be remove via Software & Updates utility under Other Software tab.