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To install wkhtmltopdf with patched Qt without compiling it yourself, download the upstream prebuilt package for your exact operating-system release and CPU architecture, install it with the system’s package tool, then verify that the version output identifies patched Qt. This matters if your workflow needs wkhtmltopdf-specific behavior such as headers and footers: some distribution repository builds omit the required patches.
What “patched Qt” means—and why the package matters
wkhtmltopdf renders HTML to PDF using the Qt WebKit engine. The wkhtmltopdf project’s FAQ explains that some wkhtmltopdf features were not part of upstream Qt and depend on project-specific patches. Linux distributions may build wkhtmltopdf without those patches, so a package with the same program name can behave differently from the upstream build. The official downloads page identifies the stable upstream series as 0.12.6, from 2020.
A practical example is headers and footers. Odoo’s integration guidance warns that Debian and Ubuntu repository versions do not support them because the feature requires patched Qt. If you need those options, do not infer feature support from the command name alone: install the upstream package and check its version output and rendered result. Odoo’s integration guidance
Choose the right prebuilt package
- Identify the operating system and release. On Linux, check the distribution and its version rather than selecting a package based only on a broad family name such as “Debian-based.”
- Identify the CPU architecture. Confirm whether the machine uses an architecture such as amd64 or arm64. A package built for a different architecture will not become compatible just because the distribution name matches.
- Use the official downloads page. Select a package listed for the matching distribution and release, or follow the page’s link to the corresponding GitHub release. The upstream page lists installers for Windows and macOS and distribution packages for Debian, Ubuntu, AlmaLinux, CentOS, Amazon Linux, openSUSE and Arch. Official downloads
- Prefer a distribution-specific package where available. The project FAQ notes that shared-library versions and distribution patch levels affect compatibility. Avoid treating a generic Linux binary as universally portable when a package for your release is offered. Official FAQ and downloads
- Install using the operating system’s normal method described below, then verify the build before relying on it.
Install on Debian or Ubuntu
Download the matching upstream .deb package from the official downloads page or its linked GitHub release. The package filename depends on the release and architecture you selected, so use the actual downloaded filename in the commands rather than copying a guessed version string.
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- Change to the directory containing the download:
cd ~/Downloads - Install the package with apt:
sudo apt install ./<downloaded-package>.deb. Replace the bracketed text with the exact filename. The./tells apt to install the local package rather than search for a repository package with that name. - Check the installed command:
wkhtmltopdf --version. Confirm the displayed version and look for an indication that it was built with patched Qt. If the output does not identify the expected build, do not assume headers, footers or other patched behavior will work. - Run a small rendering test before using the tool in a production job.
Installing the local upstream package is different from installing a distribution repository package with a command such as sudo apt install wkhtmltopdf. Debian package metadata describes a Qt 5-based distribution build, and Odoo specifically cautions that Debian/Ubuntu repository versions omit headers and footers because patched Qt is required. Choose the package based on the behavior you need, not simply on which installation command is shortest. Debian package metadata · Odoo’s integration guidance
Install on other supported systems
Windows and macOS
Use the installer or archive listed for the relevant platform on the upstream downloads page. Follow that package’s installation procedure, then run wkhtmltopdf --version in a terminal to check which build is available. The downloads page lists Windows and macOS installers; package choices and installation steps differ by platform. Official downloads
AlmaLinux, CentOS, Amazon Linux, openSUSE and Arch
Choose the distribution package that matches the system release and architecture from the official page or its linked GitHub packaging release. Install it with the package manager appropriate to that system, following the package’s instructions. Do not substitute a Debian .deb or an unrelated RPM merely because the processor architecture looks compatible; shared-library requirements and distribution patch levels also matter. Official downloads and FAQ
Verify the build and test the output
Check the version string
Run:
wkhtmltopdf --version
Check the version and whether the output identifies patched Qt. The upstream page lists 0.12.6 as its stable series; a version string alone should not be treated as proof that every feature in your application works, so test the options your workflow depends on.
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Make a local smoke test
Create a small HTML file that includes ordinary text and, if needed, a simple header or footer. Save it as test.html, then render it:
wkhtmltopdf test.html test.pdf
Open the resulting PDF and confirm that the page renders and that any required header or footer appears. Then test a representative document from your real workload, because a minimal local file does not verify how your production HTML, assets or options behave.
If the package cannot be installed directly
The official FAQ says a package can be extracted manually when direct installation is not possible, but extraction does not remove the need for the system dependencies the program requires. This can help when package-manager dependency resolution is blocked, but it is not a way to make an incompatible binary self-contained. Official FAQ
For unsupported distributions or repeatable server deployment, the project’s packaging repository documents Docker and VM workflows. It describes reproducible target builds and Docker-based Linux packaging; use those documented routes when isolating the packaging environment is preferable to installing directly on the host. wkhtmltopdf packaging repository
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Common installation and rendering problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Headers or footers are missing | The installed build may be a distribution package without patched Qt. | Check wkhtmltopdf --version. If it is the distribution repository build, install the upstream package matching the OS release and architecture, then render a test that exercises headers or footers. Odoo specifically documents this limitation for Debian/Ubuntu repository versions. Odoo guidance |
| The package installer reports missing dependencies | The package’s required system libraries are unavailable or unresolved for this system. | Confirm that the selected package targets the exact release and architecture. Use the system package manager to resolve dependencies where possible. Manual extraction is an option mentioned by the FAQ, but required dependencies still must be present. Official FAQ |
| The command is missing after installation | The install may not have completed, or the command may not be on the current shell’s path. | Review the installer’s result and package instructions, then open a new terminal and run wkhtmltopdf --version again. If you used an archive or manual extraction, ensure the executable is in a location available to the shell. |
| The executable fails to start on a different Linux system | Shared-library versions or distribution patch levels may not match the target system. | Use a package built for the target release and architecture rather than copying a binary from another machine. For unsupported or repeatable server setups, consider the documented Docker or VM packaging workflows. Official FAQ · Packaging repository |
| The PDF renders but differs from expectations | The build may not include patched behavior, or the test did not exercise the required feature. | Verify the build output and create a small test case for the specific option, such as a header or footer, before testing the full workload. |
Security: do not render untrusted HTML
The wkhtmltopdf project warns: “Do not use wkhtmltopdf with any untrusted HTML – be sure to sanitize any user-supplied HTML/JS, otherwise it can lead to complete takeover of the server it is running on!” Treat HTML supplied by users as untrusted input and sanitize it before passing it to wkhtmltopdf. Official security warning
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does installing the upstream package compile wkhtmltopdf on my machine?
No. The upstream downloads page provides prebuilt packages; choose the one matching your operating-system release and CPU architecture.
Is wkhtmltopdf 0.12.6 the latest stable series?
The official downloads page lists 0.12.6 as the stable series and dates it to 2020. Check that page for the project’s current distribution listings.
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Not without sanitizing it first. The project warns that untrusted HTML or JavaScript can expose the server running wkhtmltopdf to a complete takeover.
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