# How to set up a development environment for Zig on Ubuntu This guide covers installing the Zig toolchain and setting up a development environment on Ubuntu. [Zig](https://ziglang.org/) is a general-purpose systems programming language designed for robustness, performance, and simplicity, with built-in cross-compilation support. ## Installing Zig There are two main options for installing Zig on Ubuntu: * Using Ubuntu packages from the Ubuntu archive: Official packages maintained by the Ubuntu team and installed through the Ubuntu package-management system. Packages are available from **Ubuntu 25.10** onward. Use this method on a supported release to get a system-managed installation. * Using the [Zig snap](https://snapcraft.io/zig), a community-maintained snap package. Use this method if you need a recent Zig release on an older Ubuntu release, or want a version not yet available in the archive. ### Installing Zig from Ubuntu packages Zig packages are available in the Ubuntu archive from Ubuntu 25.10 (Questing Quokka) onward. 1. Install the `zig` package: `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install zig` 2. Verify the installation: `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``zig version` ### Installing Zig from the snap The [Zig snap](https://snapcraft.io/zig) is a community-maintained package available for all Ubuntu releases. The `latest/beta` channel tracks Zig stable releases. 1. Install the snap from the `latest/beta` channel: `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install zig --classic --channel=latest/beta` 2. Verify the installation: `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``zig version` #### NOTE The Zig snap does not currently publish a `latest/stable` channel. The `latest/beta` channel tracks the most recent Zig stable releases. The `latest/edge` channel tracks nightly development builds. ## IDE integrations Several editors and IDEs support Zig, primarily through [ZLS](https://github.com/zigtools/zls) (Zig Language Server), which provides code completion, go-to-definition, error highlighting, and other language features. [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) : Install VS Code from the Snap Store, then add the [Zig Language Support](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ziglang.vscode-zig) extension from the VS Code Marketplace. The extension automatically installs and manages ZLS.
Install VS Code with:
`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install code --classic` [Codium](https://vscodium.com/) : The freely-licensed binary distribution of VS Code. Install the [Zig Language Support](https://open-vsx.org/extension/ziglang/vscode-zig) extension from the Open VSX registry.
Install Codium with:
`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install codium --classic` #### NOTE ZLS is managed automatically by the VS Code and Codium extensions. For other editors (Vim, Neovim, Emacs, Helix), install ZLS manually. Refer to the [ZLS installation guide](https://github.com/zigtools/zls#installation) for instructions. ## What next See the tutorial introducing the use of Zig and related tooling: [Develop with Zig on Ubuntu](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-for-developers/tutorials/zig-use.md#use-zig).