How to Install qpwgraph on Linux

Before you start

qpwgraph is a graphical tool for viewing and adjusting connections in a PipeWire session. It runs locally on the same machine where your audio, video, or camera applications are active. The tool does not require a background service of its own, but it does need a working PipeWire setup with the session manager that manages devices and streams.

Check that PipeWire is installed and running before you install qpwgraph. Open a terminal and run 'pw-cli info' or 'pactl info' if PipeWire is providing PulseAudio compatibility. If the command reports an error, first install and enable PipeWire or PipeWire's PulseAudio compatibility package for your distribution.

Step-by-step instructions

The recommended installation method depends on your Linux distribution. On Debian, Ubuntu, and similar systems, open a terminal and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install qpwgraph

On Fedora, use the package manager for your release:

sudo dnf install qpwgraph

On Arch-based systems, the package is available from the extra repository:

sudo pacman -S qpwgraph

On openSUSE, use:

sudo zypper install qpwgraph

Start qpwgraph from the application menu or by running 'qpwgraph' in a terminal. The window will show nodes for running applications and hardware devices. Use the toolbar to switch between the graph view and a simplified view if your version provides that option.

To add a connection, click an output port on one node and drag it to an input port on another node. To remove a connection, click the connection line and check whether your version provides a disconnect action or a Delete key shortcut. Changes apply to the current session; qpwgraph does not permanently save a separate configuration unless you use its session save feature and reopen that saved session manually.

Check the output

Open qpwgraph while an application is using the microphone or camera, then look for the application node and the target device node. If they are connected, the connection line should be visible between the relevant ports. Start playback or recording in the application and confirm that the expected device receives activity.

Keep in mind that qpwgraph shows the PipeWire graph as reported by the session manager. Some applications may hide or rename nodes depending on how they request devices. The graph may change when applications start or stop, so check the view again after opening the device or stream you want to route.

Common problems and next steps

If the package manager cannot find qpwgraph, update the package index and check whether your distribution uses a different package name or an older repository snapshot. For Debian or Ubuntu, the command is 'sudo apt update' followed by another install attempt. On Fedora or Arch, use the package search command for your distribution to confirm the exact package name.

If qpwgraph starts but shows no devices or applications, confirm that PipeWire and its session manager are running. Run 'systemctl --user status pipewire' and check the corresponding session manager service. Restart the user services with 'systemctl --user restart pipewire pipewire-pulse' if your distribution uses those service names, but be aware that this may briefly interrupt audio and camera streams.

If the flatpak version of qpwgraph is used, it may have limited access to devices or the PipeWire socket depending on the flatpak permissions assigned to the application. Check the flatpak permissions for qpwgraph before assuming that a missing device is caused by PipeWire itself.