If you’ve purchased a budget USB fingerprint reader (like the Chipsailing CS9711, USB ID 2541:0236) and found it undetected on Linux Mint, you aren’t alone. These “Match-on-Host” devices aren’t supported by default in libfprint, but they can be brought to life with a community driver.

Identifying the Hardware

First, verify your device ID by running lsusb in the terminal. Look for: Bus XXX Device XXX: ID 2541:0236 Chipsailing CS9711Fingprint

If the device is detected but fails to “enumerate” (doesn’t show a name), ensure it is plugged directly into a motherboard USB port rather than a hub to provide consistent power.

If you host your own code on a Gitea instance, you’ve likely felt the friction of cloning new projects. Opening the web UI, searching for a repo, clicking the “SSH/HTTP” button, and then jumping back to your terminal is a workflow that belongs in 2010.

If you want to “walk through” your repositories and pick what to clone directly from your terminal, here are the best tools for the job.