Claude Desktop for Linux

This project provides build scripts to run Claude Desktop natively on Linux systems. It repackages the official Windows application for Linux distributions, producing .deb packages (Debian/Ubuntu), .rpm packages (Fedora/RHEL), distribution-agnostic AppImages, an AUR package for Arch Linux, and a Nix flake for NixOS.

Note: This is an unofficial build script. For official support, please visit Anthropic's website. For issues with the build script or Linux implementation, please open an issue in this repository.

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⚠️ EXPERIMENTAL: Cowork Mode Support

Cowork mode is enabled by default in this build. It uses Anthropic's native VM images with a pluggable isolation backend:

| Backend | Isolation | Requirements |

|---------|-----------|-------------|

| KVM (preferred) | Full VM via QEMU/KVM | /dev/kvm, qemu-system-x86_64, /dev/vhost-vsock, socat, virtiofsd |

| bubblewrap (fallback) | Namespace sandbox | bwrap installed and functional |

| host (last resort) | None — runs directly on host | No additional requirements |

The best available backend is auto-detected at startup. Run claude-desktop --doctor to check which backend will be used and which dependencies are missing.

Note: The bubblewrap backend mounts your home directory as read-only (only the project working directory is writable). The host backend provides no isolation — use it only if you understand the security implications.

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Features

• Native Linux Support: Run Claude Desktop without virtualization or Wine
• MCP Support: Full Model Context Protocol integration

Configuration file location: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

• System Integration:
• Global hotkey support (Ctrl+Alt+Space) - works on X11 and Wayland (via XWayland)
• System tray integration
• Desktop environment integration

Screenshots

Installation

Using APT Repository (Debian/Ubuntu - Recommended)

Add the repository for automatic updates via apt:

# Add the GPG key
curl -fsSL https://aaddrick.github.io/claude-desktop-debian/KEY.gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/claude-desktop.gpg

# Add the repository
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/claude-desktop.gpg arch=amd64,arm64] https://aaddrick.github.io/claude-desktop-debian stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/claude-desktop.list

# Update and install
sudo apt update
sudo apt install claude-desktop

Future updates will be installed automatically with your regular system updates (sudo apt upgrade).

Using DNF Repository (Fedora/RHEL - Recommended)

Add the repository for automatic updates via dnf:

# Add the repository
sudo curl -fsSL https://aaddrick.github.io/claude-desktop-debian/rpm/claude-desktop.repo -o /etc/yum.repos.d/claude-desktop.repo

# Install
sudo dnf install claude-desktop

Future updates will be installed automatically with your regular system updates (sudo dnf upgrade).

Using AUR (Arch Linux)

The [claude-desktop-appimage](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/claude-desktop-appimage) package is available on the AUR and is automatically updated with each release.

# Using yay
yay -S claude-desktop-appimage

# Or using paru
paru -S claude-desktop-appimage

The AUR package installs the AppImage build of Claude Desktop.

Using Nix Flake (NixOS)

Install directly from the flake:

# Basic install
nix profile install github:aaddrick/claude-desktop-debian

# With MCP server support (FHS environment)
nix profile install github:aaddrick/claude-desktop-debian#claude-desktop-fhs

Or add to your NixOS configuration:

# flake.nix
{
  inputs.claude-desktop.url = "github:aaddrick/claude-desktop-debian";

  outputs = { nixpkgs, claude-desktop, ... }: {
    nixosConfigurations.myhost = nixpkgs.lib.nixosSystem {
      modules = [
        ({ pkgs, ... }: {
          nixpkgs.overlays = [ claude-desktop.overlays.default ];
          environment.systemPackages = [ pkgs.claude-desktop ];
        })
      ];
    };
  };
}

Using Pre-built Releases

Download the latest .deb, .rpm, or .AppImage from the Releases page.

Building from Source

See docs/BUILDING.md for detailed build instructions.

Configuration

Model Context Protocol settings are stored in:

~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

For additional configuration options including environment variables and Wayland support, see docs/CONFIGURATION.md.

Troubleshooting

Run claude-desktop --doctor for built-in diagnostics that check common issues (display server, sandbox permissions, MCP config, stale locks, and more). It also reports cowork mode readiness — which isolation backend will be used, and which dependencies (KVM, QEMU, vsock, socat, virtiofsd, bubblewrap) are installed or missing.

For additional troubleshooting, uninstallation instructions, and log locations, see docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md.

Acknowledgments

This project was inspired by k3d3's claude-desktop-linux-flake and their Reddit post about running Claude Desktop natively on Linux.

Special thanks to:

• k3d3 for the original NixOS implementation and native bindings insights
• **emsi** for the title bar fix and alternative implementation approach
• **leobuskin** for the Playwright-based URL resolution approach
• **yarikoptic** for codespell support and shellcheck compliance
• **IamGianluca** for build dependency check improvements
• **ing03201** for IBus/Fcitx5 input method support
• **ajescudero** for pinning @electron/asar for Node compatibility
• **delorenj** for Wayland compatibility support
• **Regen-forest** for suggesting Gear Lever as AppImageLauncher replacement
• **niekvugteveen** for fixing Debian packaging permissions
• **speleoalex** for native window decorations support
• **imaginalnika** for moving logs to ~/.cache/
• **richardspicer** for the menu bar visibility fix on Linux
• **jacobfrantz1** for Claude Desktop code preview support and quick window submit fix
• **janfrederik** for the --exe flag to use a local installer
• **MrEdwards007** for discovering the OAuth token cache fix
• **lizthegrey** for version update contributions
• **mathys-lopinto** for the AUR package and automated deployment
• **pkuijpers** for root cause analysis of the RPM repo GPG signing issue
• **dlepold** for identifying the tray icon variable name bug with a working fix
• **Voork1144** for detailed analysis of the tray icon minifier bug, root-cause analysis of the Chromium layout cache bug, and the direct child setBounds() fix approach
• **sabiut** for the --doctor diagnostic command
• **milog1994** for Linux UX improvements including popup detection, functional stubs, and Wayland compositor support
• **jarrodcolburn** for passwordless sudo support in container/CI environments
• **chukfinley** for experimental Cowork mode support on Linux
• **IliyaBrook** for fixing the platform patch for Claude Desktop >= 1.1.3541 arm64 refactor
• **MichaelMKenny** for diagnosing the $-prefixed electron variable bug with root cause analysis and workaround
• **daa25209** for detailed root cause analysis of the cowork platform gate crash and patch script
• **noctuum** for the CLAUDE_MENU_BAR env var for configurable menu bar visibility
• **typedrat** for the NixOS flake integration with build.sh, node-pty derivation, and CI auto-update

Sponsorship

Anthropic doesn't publish release notes for Claude Desktop. Each release here includes AI-generated notes that analyze code changes between versions. I wrote up how that process works if you're curious: Generating Real Release Notes from Minified Electron Apps.

The analysis runs against Claude's API. Costs vary a lot depending on how big the update is. Recent releases have run between $3.36 and $76.16 per release.

If this project is useful to you, consider sponsoring on GitHub to help cover those costs.

License

The build scripts in this repository are dual-licensed under:

• MIT License (see LICENSE-MIT)
• Apache License 2.0 (see LICENSE-APACHE)

The Claude Desktop application itself is subject to Anthropic's Consumer Terms.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! By submitting a contribution, you agree to license it under the same dual-license terms as this project.