Latest supported ChatGPT app: July 29, 2026 (26.721.81911, build 5973).
Unofficial, source-only builder for running the official Electron-based ChatGPT desktop app on Ubuntu and Kubuntu x86_64.
./update.shThe updater fast-forwards the cloned repository, then builds and installs the latest supported app. It updates files on disk without restarting the running app. Restart ChatGPT yourself when convenient.
git clone https://github.com/forbidden-game/chatgpt-desktop-linux.git
cd chatgpt-desktop-linux
./install.shRun install.sh as your normal desktop user, not with sudo. The installer
announces each step, identifies the failed step, and requests administrator
access only for APT operations. It does not restart a running ChatGPT process.
The installer:
- installs system build and runtime dependencies;
- verifies the system Node.js runtime and provides a SHA-256-verified Node.js 22 build runtime when needed;
- bundles the exact official Linux Codex CLI plus checksum-pinned Browser Use
Node and
node_replexecutables without overwriting user-managed tools; - downloads the latest official Electron DMG;
- applies the tested Linux compatibility patches and builds a Debian package;
- installs the freshly built package.
Important
This independent project is not affiliated with or supported by OpenAI. It does not commit or redistribute OpenAI application binaries. A long build may outlive the sudo timeout and request your password again during installation.
| Area | Verified status |
|---|---|
| Target | Ubuntu/Kubuntu x86_64 |
| Upstream | ChatGPT 26.721.81911; DMG Chromium 150.0.7871.128 |
| Linux runtime | Electron 43.2.0, Chromium 150.0.7871.129 |
| Codex | Bundled 0.146.0-alpha.3.1 |
| Browser helpers | Node and node_repl from verified runtime 26.426.12240 |
| Browser | In-app Browser and Chrome extension control verified end to end |
| Voice | Avatar overlay and real Linux microphone capture verified |
| Display | Native Wayland + GPU; explicit X11 fallback |
| Desktop | KDE tray, close-to-tray, taskbar identity, icon, Fcitx 5 |
See compatibility status for the full tested surface and limitations.
Open ChatGPT from the application menu or run:
chatgpt-desktopUse X11/XWayland only when needed:
chatgpt-desktop --x11On X11, focusing a maximized ChatGPT window minimizes another maximized
top-level ChatGPT window when they overlap by at least 95%. Electron does not
treat a merely covered Linux window as hidden, so this keeps the covered
renderer from consuming foreground CPU. Set
CHATGPT_X11_WINDOW_SUSPENSION=0 to disable this safeguard.
The isolated profile is stored under
~/.local/state/chatgpt-desktop/profile-v1.
Download the current official Electron DMG:
./download.shBuild and install it:
./build.sh --check
./build.sh "$HOME/Downloads/ChatGPT.dmg"
sudo apt install ./dist/chatgpt-desktop_*_amd64.debThe build fails closed on unexpected archive layouts, checksum mismatches, native-module drift, or changed patch points.
Remove the package with:
sudo apt remove chatgpt-desktopPackage removal does not delete the isolated profile.
- Linux x86_64 and Ubuntu/Kubuntu are the current supported target.
- X11 has less live validation than Wayland.
- Computer Use and Record & Replay are omitted while their official payloads remain macOS-specific.
- Not every preserved plugin has completed end-to-end Linux validation.
- Updates are manual.
Do not commit DMGs, extracted applications, OpenAI assets, patched ASARs,
generated packages, profiles, logs containing user data, or ~/.codex.
See architecture for the design and truth hierarchy, and notices for attribution and trademark details.