Where do Linux apps get installed, and how can I find them?

Placement of files can depend on the package format. Standard Unix files go to specific directories like /usr/bin for executables and /etc for configuration files. If you're using Flatpaks, those usually go to /var or ~/.local/var, while Snap packages are found in /snap. It's helpful to understand the Unix Filesystem Hierarchy Standard for keeping track of everything.

To find out where your apps are installed, you can ask your package manager for the file paths. For example, if you're looking for files from the 'curl' package, each package manager has its own command. APT-based distros use `dpkg -L curl`, while RPM-based distros can use `rpm -ql curl`. If you're on Arch, just run `pacman -Ql curl`.

Honestly, it feels like magic to me! I just trust that it goes where it needs to go.

Most apps you install will go to the drive where Linux is installed, mainly in the root partition you set up. So, if your Linux is installed on a specific drive, just search for the app there. For instance, if you installed Discord, you would search for 'Discord' on that drive and find its main folder.

Typically, installed apps end up in directories like /bin or /usr/bin. Your package manager can also give you an exact list of the files it installs.