# SimFlow Installation Source: https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/simflow-installation Last updated: 2026-10-14 ## Introduction SimFlow CFD software for Linux is available as an automatic installer. SimFlow also requires third-party applications (OpenFOAM and ParaView) to run CFD simulations. On a Linux OS, these applications are not included in the main SimFlow installer and require separate installation. Detailed installation procedures for SimFlow and the required applications are provided below. An example installation procedure for SimFlow and required applications: 1. [Download SimFlow 5.1](https://sim-flow.com/download-simflow) 2. [Install SimFlow 5.1](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/simflow-installation#_simflow_installation) 3. [Install OpenFOAM](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/openfoam-installation) (CFD engine) 4. [Install ParaView](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/paraview-installation) (Postprocessing tool) 5. [Integrate OpenFOAM & ParaView with SimFlow](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations) [Video](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/images/installation-on-linux.mp4) > **Note:** The installation procedure may vary slightly depending on your Linux distribution. You can find out more about the installation steps below. ## SimFlow Installation SimFlow CFD software for Linux is available as an automatic installer, which can be run through either a standard GUI or a console wizard. Detailed installation procedures for SimFlow are provided below: - [SimFlow Installation - GUI](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/simflow-installation#_simflow_installation_gui) - [SimFlow Installation - Console](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/simflow-installation#_simflow_installation_console) > **Note:** If the installer window fails to open, you can try using console mode instead. SimFlow uses its own set of graphics libraries, allowing it to run on your system even if the installer is unable to proceed. ## SimFlow Installation - GUI **1. Download Installer** Before starting the installation process, [Download SimFlow 5.1](https://sim-flow.com/download-simflow) for a Linux OS. **2. Set File Permissions** Linux typically blocks the execution of files downloaded from the Internet for security reasons. You will need to grant permission for the installer file to be executed as a program. - Open the folder with the installation package - Right-click on the installation file and choose `Properties` - Go to the `Permissions` tab and check `Allows executing file as program` - Close the `Properties` window [Video](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/images/change-permissions.mp4) **3. Run the executable file** Double-click on the `SimFlow-5.1-Linux-x86_64-Install` executable file. If you want to install SimFlow in a root directory, go to [Installation in Root Directory](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/simflow-installation#_installation_in_root_directory) **4. Follow the Installation Wizard** Follow the prompts from the wizard to complete the installation process. By default, SimFlow will be installed in: `/home/user-name/SimFlow/SimFlow-5.1` ![5 installation completed](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/images/5-installation-completed.png) **5. Configure OpenFOAM and ParaView Integrations** After installing SimFlow, proceed to install [OpenFOAM](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/openfoam-installation) and [ParaView](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/paraview-installation), and then [configure SimFlow Integrations](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations). ### Installation in Root Directory If you prefer to install SimFlow in a root directory, you can run the installation as an administrator, which will open the GUI installer with access to all directories. Use the following command in the terminal to run the installation wizard: `sudo ./SimFlow-5.1-Linux-x86_64-Install` ## SimFlow Installation - Console To install SimFlow in the console mode, open the terminal and follow these steps: **1. Download Installer** `wget -P ~/Downloads https://download.sim-flow.com/5.1/SimFlow-5.1-Linux-x86_64-Install` **2. Set File Permissions** Linux typically blocks the execution of files downloaded from the Internet for security reasons. You will need to grant permission for the installer file to be executed as a program. Navigate to your download directory `cd ~/Downloads` Make the installation file executable by typing `chmod a+x SimFlow-5.1-Linux-x86_64-Install` **3. Run the installer in console mode** `./SimFlow-5.1-Linux-x86_64-Install --mode Console` or if you want to install in root directories: `sudo ./SimFlow-5.1-Linux-x86_64-Install --mode Console` > **Note:** You can perform the installation in one step (a single command), see [Installation Procedure - Non-Interactive Console](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/simflow-installation#_installation_procedure_non_interactive_console). **4. Follow the prompts in the terminal** Confirm the SimFlow installation and press `Y` `This will install SimFlow on your computer. Continue? [n/Y] Y` Specify the installation directory `Where do you want to install SimFlow? [/home/user] ` - target location where all the files will be stored. SimFlow default installation path: `home/user/SimFlow/SimFlow-5.1` After the installation is complete, you will see the following output: ``` Installing SimFlow... Installing Program Files... Installation complete. ``` **5. Configure OpenFOAM and ParaView Integrations** After installing SimFlow, proceed to install [OpenFOAM](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/openfoam-installation) and [ParaView](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/paraview-installation), and then [configure SimFlow Integrations](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations). ### Installation Procedure - Non-Interactive Console Alternatively, you can skip the step-by-step procedure and execute the installation in *silent mode*. In this scenario, you can run the installer and specify the installation directory with a single command. This method is particularly suitable if you intend to automate the SimFlow installation using scripting. To run the installer in *silent mode* and provide an installation directory, use the following command: `./SimFlow-5.1-Linux-x86_64-Install --mode silent --prefix ` - target location where all the files will be stored. After installing SimFlow, proceed to the following steps: - [OpenFOAM Installation](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/openfoam-installation) - [ParaView Installation](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/linux/paraview-installation) - [Integrate OpenFOAM & ParaView with SimFlow](https://help.sim-flow.com/installation/configuration/integrations)