The idea is to install a regular Linux distribution alongside ChromeOS. The second method I explored is more mainstream. The main problems I experienced were caused by weird file sharing rules between the ChromeOS and Linux file systems, and more importantly, the inability to access localhost from inside the Linux environment. While this approach sounds great on paper, the issue with Termux is the sandboxing, which often gets in the way if you try to create a streamlined coding workflow oriented towards web development. If your Chromebook model is one that supports running Android apps, then you can install this app and have access to a Linux terminal. This app runs on Android phones or tablets, and gives you a sandboxed Linux environment that you can run without the need of rooting your device. The first and most secure of the legacy methods involves the use of an Android app called Termux. Running Linux in a Chromebook: The Old Methodsīefore I describe the new thing, let me review the methods that were previously available, so that you can evaluate Crostini in the proper context. This method is based on container technology, and is known by the project name Crostini. What makes this new method interesting is that it is an officially supported feature of ChromeOS, so there is no need to activate developer mode, and no need to make concessions on the highly regarded Chromebook security model. Now there is a fourth method of running a native Linux distribution, available to most Chromebook models from the last few years.

Since I wrote that article in September 2017 there's been a new development. One required running a heavily sandboxed Android app, while for the other two you had to put the machine in developer mode, which bypasses some of the security measures that make the Chromebook one of the most secure laptops you can find. These three methods were all a bit hacky. In that article, I presented three different ways to install a Linux distribution instead of, or sometimes alongside ChromeOS, the native Chromebook operating system. It's been over a year since I wrote my guide on setting up a cheap Chromebook for web development.

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