What is Odoo?

Odoo 18 is an all-in-one business management software that offers a complete suite of applications to run your company. Unlike traditional ERP systems that can be complex and expensive, Odoo provides an intuitive, modular approach where businesses can start with basic applications and add more functionality as they grow. This guide will walk you through the Odoo 18 installation process, helping you set up the platform efficiently and get your business management system up and running on Ubuntu.

Key Characteristics of Odoo

Modular Architecture

Odoo’s strength lies in its modular design. You can start with just a few applications and gradually add more as your business needs evolve. Core modules include:

• Sales & CRM
• Accounting & Finance
• Inventory & Manufacturing
• Human Resources
• Website & E-commerce
• Project Management
• Marketing & Email campaigns

Open Source Foundation

Odoo operates on a dual-licensing model:

• Community Edition: Free and open-source with basic functionality
• Enterprise Edition: Premium version with advanced features, support, and hosting options

User-Friendly Interface

Odoo 18 features a modern, intuitive interface designed for ease of use. The clean design reduces learning curves and increases user adoption across organizations.

Introduction to Odoo 18

Odoo 18 is the latest version of the comprehensive open-source Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) suite that helps businesses manage their operations from a single integrated platform. Released in 2024, Odoo 18 continues to build upon its predecessor’s foundation while introducing significant improvements in user experience, performance, and functionality.

Core Applications Overview

Sales & CRM

Oversee the complete sales process, from generating leads to completing orders. Track customer interactions, manage opportunities, and automate sales processes.

Accounting & Finance

Complete financial management, including invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting. Supports multiple currencies and tax regulations.

Inventory & Warehouse

Real-time inventory tracking, automated reordering, barcode scanning, and advanced warehouse management with multiple location support.

Manufacturing

Bill of Materials (BOM) management, production planning, quality control, and shop floor management with real-time production tracking.

Human Resources

Employee management, recruitment, time tracking, payroll integration, performance evaluation, and leave management.

Website & E-commerce

Build professional websites with integrated e-commerce functionality, SEO tools, and content management capabilities.

Project Management

Task management, time tracking, project planning with Gantt charts, team collaboration, and project profitability analysis.

Setup Odoo 18 on Ubuntu 

If 

1) System update & essentials

sudo apt update && sudo apt -y upgrade
sudo apt -y install git curl wget xz-utils software-properties-common \
  build-essential python3 python3-venv python3-pip python3-dev \
  libxml2-dev libxslt1-dev libldap2-dev libsasl2-dev libpq-dev \
  libjpeg-dev zlib1g-dev gcc g++ pkg-config

2) PostgreSQL (12 or newer)

sudo apt -y install postgresql postgresql-client
# Create a dedicated DB role for Odoo (login + createdb, no superuser)
sudo -u postgres createuser -d -R -S odoo

3) Install Required Packages

sudo apt install git python3 python3-pip build-essential wget python3-dev \

python3-venv libxslt-dev libzip-dev libldap2-dev libsasl2-dev python3-setuptools \

npm node-less libjpeg-dev libpq-dev libjpeg8-dev liblcms2-dev libblas-dev \

libatlas-base-dev -y

4) Create the “odoo” Linux user & folders

sudo useradd -m -d /opt/odoo -U -r -s /bin/bash odoo
sudo mkdir -p /opt/odoo/{odoo,custom-addons}
sudo chown -R odoo:odoo /opt/odoo

5) Get Odoo 18 source code (Community; Enterprise optional)

# Community
sudo -u odoo -H git clone --depth 1 --branch 18.0 https://github.com/odoo/odoo.git /opt/odoo/odoo

# Enterprise (optional; requires valid GitHub access)

Enterprise is run on top of Community by adding the enterprise folder to the addons-path. Odoo

6) Python virtualenv & dependencies

# Create & activate venv
sudo -u odoo -H python3 -m venv venv
sudo -u odoo -H /opt/odoo/venv/bin/pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel

# Install Python deps from Odoo's requirements.txt
# After activate virtual Environment
pip install -r requirements.txt

Odoo 18 needs Python 3.10+. Installing from requirements.txt is the supported way. Odoo

7) Odoo configuration

Create 
odoo/odoo.conf
[options]
; security
admin_passwd = change-this-strong-master-password

; db connection (peer/local)
db_host = False
db_port = False
db_user = odoo
db_password = False

; paths
addons_path = /opt/odoo/odoo/addons,/opt/odoo/custom-addons
; add enterprise path first if you use EE:
; addons_path = /opt/odoo/enterprise,/opt/odoo/odoo/addons,/opt/odoo/custom-addons

; server ports
xmlrpc_port = 8069
longpolling_port = 8072

; logging
logfile = /var/log/odoo/odoo18.log

8) First run (dev mode)

Open http://localhost:8069 and follow the database creation wizard. (You can also pass DB options via CLI; see the Odoo CLI docs.) 

After that activate developer mode

Search on Google – odoo debug chrome extension > add 

Link https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/odoo-debug/hmdmhilocobgohohpdpolmibjklfgkbi

VS Code Setup for Odoo 18

1) Install extensions

• Python (Microsoft)
  
• Pylance
  
• ESLint (for JS)
  
• XML (Red Hat)
  
• (Optional) Black Formatter, EditorConfig
  

2) Workspace & interpreter

Open /opt/odoo as your workspace (or a development copy in your home).
Select the interpreter: Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+P → Python: Select Interpreter → /opt/odoo/venv/bin/python.

.vscode/settings.json (recommended)
{
  "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "/opt/odoo/venv/bin/python",
  "python.linting.enabled": true,
  "python.linting.flake8Enabled": true,
  "flake8.args": ["--ignore=E501,E301,E302"],
  "python.formatting.provider": "black",
  "editor.formatOnSave": true
}

Odoo’s coding guidelines ignore some PEP8 checks (E501, E301, E302), hence the flake8 config above. Odoo

3) Debug configuration (launch Odoo from VS Code)

Create .vscode/launch.json:
{
  "version": "0.2.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "name": "Odoo 18 (dev)",
      "type": "python",
      "request": "launch",
      "program": "/opt/odoo/odoo/odoo-bin",
      "cwd": "/opt/odoo/odoo",
      "args": [
        "-c", "/etc/odoo18.conf",
        "--addons-path", "/opt/odoo/odoo/addons,/opt/odoo/custom-addons",
        "--dev", "xml,qweb,assets",
        "-d", "odoo18_dev"
      ],
      "console": "integratedTerminal",
      "justMyCode": false,
      "env": { "PYTHONUNBUFFERED": "1" }
    }
  ]
}

Tip: Use the Odoo CLI to generate scaffolds and utilities directly from VS Code’s terminal, e.g.:
/opt/odoo/venv/bin/python /opt/odoo/odoo/odoo-bin scaffold academy /opt/odoo/custom-addons

(Scaffolding and other CLI subcommands like shell, populate, and tsconfig are documented here.) Odoo

Bonus: rich JS autocomplete

Generate a tsconfig.json that helps VS Code understand Odoo’s JS modules:

cd /opt/odoo

/opt/odoo/odoo/odoo-bin tsconfig –addons-path odoo/addons,custom-addons > tsconfig.json

This enhances autocompletion across JS modules in editors like VS Code. Odoo

Let’s take an example to setup an Odoo 18

 After installation of Python 3.10+, PostgreSQL 12+

Step 1 – Create a folder

Open drive > create a folder name ‘code’> odoo_18 , right click on odoo_18 >

 Open Terminal

Step 2 – Install the required package

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install git python3 python3-pip build-essential wget python3-dev \
python3-venv libxslt-dev libzip-dev libldap2-dev libsasl2-dev python3-setuptools \
npm node-less libjpeg-dev libpq-dev libjpeg8-dev liblcms2-dev libblas-dev \
libatlas-base-dev -y
sudo apt install postgresql -y
sudo systemctl enable postgresql
sudo systemctl start postgresql

Step 2-  git clone

git clone –depth 1 –branch 18.0 https://github.com/odoo/odoo.git odoo

Step 3 – open with VS Code

after the successful completion of the clone 

open odoo_18 with terminal > code .

Step 3- Create Virtual Environment

Python3 -m venv venv
source/venv/bin/activate
After that
	pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel
pip install -r requirements.txt

Step 4- PostgreSQL (database)

sudo su – postgres -c “createuser -s odoo18”

Step 5- config file

odoo_18/odoo.conf 

[options]
; master password
admin_passwd = changeme123

; db
db_user = your-linux-username
db_host = False
db_port = False
db_password = False

; addons
addons_path = ~/code/odoo_18/odoo/addons,~/code/odoo_18/custom-addons

; server
xmlrpc_port = 8069

; logs
logfile = ~/code/odoo_18/logs/odoo.log

Step 7 –  run odoo 

Activate virtual environment

6.1 source/venv/bin/activate

    (venv)

6.2  python3 odoo-bin -c odoo.conf

Open a browser, run localhost: 8069

Difference: Community vs Enterprise

• Community: 100% free and open-source, but with limited features.
  
• Enterprise: Paid license, includes extra features like Accounting, Studio, Helpdesk, VOIP, advanced MRP, advanced HR, extra reporting, mobile UI enhancements, etc.
  

If we want to switch into enterprise version 

Step 1: Add the path of the enterprise version file in the addons in Odoo.conf

Python3 odoo-bin -c odoo.conf -u all

Step 2 – Open browser – Run localhost

2.1- Log in to Odoo → go to Settings → Activate Developer Mode.

2.2- Go to Apps → Update Apps List (or “Update Apps”).

2.3- Search enterprise > Install

Read More:- How to install Odoo and OpenEduCat on Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide