README.md

# 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](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/claude-desktop-appimage) for Arch Linux, and a Nix flake for NixOS.

**Note:** This is an unofficial build script. For official support, please visit [Anthropic's website](https://www.anthropic.com). For issues with the build script or Linux implementation, please [open an issue](https://github.com/aaddrick/claude-desktop-debian/issues) in this repository.

---

> **⚠️ 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.

---

## 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

<p align="center">
  <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/aaddrick/claude-desktop-debian/main/docs/images/claude-desktop-screenshot1.png" alt="Claude Desktop running on Linux" />
</p>

<p align="center">
  <img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/aaddrick/claude-desktop-debian/main/docs/images/claude-desktop-screenshot2.png" alt="Global hotkey popup" />
</p>

## Installation

### Using APT Repository (Debian/Ubuntu - Recommended)

Add the repository for automatic updates via `apt`:

```bash
# 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`:

```bash
# 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.

```bash
# 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:

```bash
# 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:

```nix
# 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](https://github.com/aaddrick/claude-desktop-debian/releases).

### Building from Source

See [docs/BUILDING.md](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](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](docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md).

## Acknowledgments

This project was inspired by [k3d3's claude-desktop-linux-flake](https://github.com/k3d3/claude-desktop-linux-flake) and their [Reddit post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ClaudeAI/comments/1hgsmpq/i_successfully_ran_claude_desktop_natively_on/) about running Claude Desktop natively on Linux.

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

## 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](https://nonconvexlabs.com/blog/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](https://github.com/sponsors/aaddrick) to help cover those costs.

## License

The build scripts in this repository are dual-licensed under:
- MIT License (see [LICENSE-MIT](LICENSE-MIT))
- Apache License 2.0 (see [LICENSE-APACHE](LICENSE-APACHE))

The Claude Desktop application itself is subject to [Anthropic's Consumer Terms](https://www.anthropic.com/legal/consumer-terms).

## Contributing

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