Claude Desktop for Linux

Fully declarative NixOS package for Claude Desktop on Linux with Cowork support. Extracts from the macOS DMG, patches for Linux compatibility, and wraps with Electron 37.

Quick Start

NixOS / Nix (Recommended)

# Run directly
nix run github:heytcass/claude-for-linux

# With FHS wrapper (better MCP + Cowork compatibility)
nix run github:heytcass/claude-for-linux#claude-desktop-fhs

# Install to profile
nix profile install github:heytcass/claude-for-linux

NixOS Module

# flake.nix
{
  inputs.claude-for-linux.url = "github:heytcass/claude-for-linux";

  outputs = { self, nixpkgs, claude-for-linux, ... }: {
    nixosConfigurations.myhost = nixpkgs.lib.nixosSystem {
      modules = [
        claude-for-linux.nixosModules.default
        { programs.claude-desktop.enable = true; }
      ];
    };
  };
}

Home Manager Module

{
  imports = [ claude-for-linux.homeManagerModules.default ];
  programs.claude-desktop = {
    enable = true;
    fhs = true;  # FHS wrapper for MCP compatibility
  };
}

See NIX_README.md for detailed configuration options.

Ubuntu/Debian (Legacy)

The scripts/ directory contains older Ubuntu-specific scripts for Claude Desktop v1.1.1200. These target a pre-installed Electron app at /opt/claude-desktop/.

What Works

• Sign-in via Google OAuth / SSO (opens system browser, returns via deep link)
• Native Wayland support (not XWayland) via --ozone-platform-hint=auto
• HiDPI scaling (sharp rendering)
• Window decorations with titlebar overlay
• Claude Code tool execution
• File uploads and downloads
• Full chat functionality
• Cowork directory picker and bubblewrap sandboxing (WIP - see COWORK_PROGRESS.md)

Architecture

macOS DMG (fetchurl)
       |
  dmg2img + 7z -> app.asar
       |
  asar_tool.py extract -> raw JS
       |
  8 patches:
    00: Native module stub (@ant/claude-native + AuthRequest)
    01: Cowork module loader (claude-cowork-linux)
    02: Platform flag (route Linux through TypeScript VM path)
    03: Availability check (NH() returns supported)
    04: Skip bundle download (TCe() short-circuit)
    05: VM start intercept (ppt() -> bubblewrap session)
    06: VM getter override (Ai() + fwe())
    07: Platform branding ("for Linux" in UI)
       |
  asar_tool.py pack -> patched app.asar
       |
  electron_37 + makeWrapper -> claude-desktop
  buildFHSEnv -> claude-desktop-fhs

Project Structure

.
├── flake.nix                         # Full NixOS package definition
├── modules/
│   ├── claude-cowork-linux.js        # Bubblewrap session manager
│   └── enhanced-claude-native-stub.js # Linux native module replacement
├── scripts/
│   ├── patches-2685/                 # Patches for v1.1.2685
│   │   ├── 00-native-module-stub.js
│   │   ├── 01-cowork-module-loader.js
│   │   ├── 02-platform-flag.js
│   │   ├── 03-availability-check.js
│   │   ├── 04-skip-download.js
│   │   ├── 05-vm-start-intercept.js
│   │   ├── 06-vm-getter.js
│   │   └── 07-platform-branding.js
│   ├── patch-cowork-*.js             # Legacy patches for v1.1.1200
│   └── install-*.sh                  # Legacy Ubuntu install scripts
├── tools/
│   └── asar_tool.py                  # ASAR archive manipulation
└── examples/                         # NixOS/Home Manager config examples

Development

# Enter dev shell with all tools
nix develop

# Build and test
nix build .#claude-desktop      # Basic variant
nix build .#claude-desktop-fhs  # FHS variant
nix flake check                 # Validate structure

License

For personal use only. Claude Desktop is property of Anthropic.