Install composer globally: $ curl - sS https : //getcomposer.org/installer | php $ sudo mv composer . phar / usr / local / bin / composer Install drush globally (for your user), you can specify the version: $ composer global require drush / drush : 7 . * Add the composer path to your path (in your *.bashrc* or *.zshrc* or other): export PATH = "$HOME/.composer/vendor/bin:$PATH" While not recommended, Drush can easily be installed on Ubuntu by using Aptitude or apt-get. If you have sudo rights the quickest way to install Drush is from the Ubuntu repository: $ sudo apt - get install drush However, the version this currently will give you is 4.5 (using Ubuntu 12.04). Newer versions have many improvements so you should use Drush to upgrade itself to the latest stable: $ sudo drush dl drush -- destination = '/usr/share' Then you can check the update has been successful by executing: $ drush -- version You could also install Drush manuall