claude-desktop-debian/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, and an AUR package for Arch Linux.

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 the same TypeScript VM client as Windows, communicating over a Unix domain socket to a local service daemon. To use it, start a Cowork session from the Claude Desktop UI. Important: Cowork mode on Linux currently runs Claude Code directly on the host with no VM isolation. Unlike macOS/Windows, there is no sandbox—Claude has access to your entire home directory. VM-based isolation (QEMU/KVM) is actively being developed. Use Cowork mode 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 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 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

For troubleshooting common issues, 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
• 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

For NixOS users, please refer to k3d3's repository for a Nix-specific implementation.

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.