The following section assumes you are running commands from the terminal.
On Ubuntu or flavours, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T or search the Applications menu.
This is the easiest and usually most accurate way to gather the information that the volunteer helpers need to assist other users.
Below is a concise explanation for each section of the Ubuntu Support Template with commands that should work on all Ubuntu versions and flavours (including Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu MATE, etc.).
1. Ubuntu Version
What to provide:
The exact Ubuntu release number (e.g., 22.04 LTS, 24.04, 25.10).
Command:
lsb_release -a
Alternative:
cat /etc/os-release
2. Desktop Environment (if applicable)
What to provide:
Your graphical desktop (e.g., GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE, LXQt, MATE, Budgie).
Command:
echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
If that’s empty:
echo $DESKTOP_SESSION
3. Problem Description
What to provide:
- What you’re trying to do
- What happens instead
- Clear reproduction steps
No command required — this should be written clearly and step-by-step.
Example format:
1. Open Settings → Displays
2. Change resolution
3. Screen goes black
4. Relevant System Information
What to provide:
Hardware, drivers, kernel version, GPU info, special configurations.
Commands:
uname -r
lspci
lsusb
For full hardware summary:
sudo lshw -short
5. Screenshots or Error Messages
What to provide:
- Copy-paste error messages (preferred over photos)
- Terminal output inside triple backticks
Example:
sudo dmesg | tail -20
To capture recent journal logs:
journalctl -xe
6. What I’ve Tried
What to provide:
List troubleshooting steps already attempted (reinstalls, driver changes, config edits, etc.).
No command required — written summary only.
7. Before Posting
What to do:
Search for similar issues first using the powerful Discourse search options.
Bear in mind that this is not supposed to be a comprehensive guide, merely a tool to try and help point users in the right direction.
We hope to keep this as fresh and updated as possible as a reference point.