https://github.com/janithcooray/claude-desktop
Lightweight desktop UI wrapper for Claude on Linux. Provides a native-like experience with a focus on simplicity, performance, and developer workflows. Built for productivity and co-working, with clean UI and seamless multitasking.
https://github.com/janithcooray/claude-desktop
anthropic claude claude-deskto-linux claude-desktop claude-desktop-app desktop-app linux linux-desktop
Last synced: about 1 month ago
JSON representation
Lightweight desktop UI wrapper for Claude on Linux. Provides a native-like experience with a focus on simplicity, performance, and developer workflows. Built for productivity and co-working, with clean UI and seamless multitasking.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/janithcooray/claude-desktop
- Owner: janithcooray
- Created: 2026-04-20T13:19:57.000Z (3 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-04-25T07:23:38.000Z (2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-05-04T21:47:24.724Z (2 months ago)
- Topics: anthropic, claude, claude-deskto-linux, claude-desktop, claude-desktop-app, desktop-app, linux, linux-desktop
- Language: JavaScript
- Homepage: https://claudedesktop.nova64.workers.dev/
- Size: 312 KB
- Stars: 6
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 2
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# Claude Desktop (community build)
An unofficial desktop app for Claude, built as a thin shell around the
official `claude` CLI. Chat with Claude in a proper window, attach folders
so it can read and edit your files, and keep full conversation history
locally — no browser tab, no copy-paste, no cloud sync.
> **Alpha build · community project.** Not affiliated with Anthropic.
> It drives the real `claude` CLI under the hood, so your account, billing,
> and rate limits are exactly the same as using `claude` in a terminal.
## What it gives you
- **A real chat window.** Sidebar of chats on the left, conversation in the
middle, file previews on the right — everything you'd expect, nothing you
wouldn't.
- **Two modes per chat:**
- **Chat** — plain conversation with Claude. No file access, no shell.
Good for questions, writing, brainstorming.
- **Cowork** — agentic mode. Attach one or more folders and Claude can
read, edit, and run code inside them.
- **Sandboxed by default on Linux.** Cowork turns run inside a bubblewrap
sandbox that only exposes the folders you attached — the rest of your
home directory is hidden from Claude. Docker and fully unrestricted
("jailbroken") modes are available in Settings for users who want them.
- **Everything local.** Chats, messages, and sandboxes live on your disk
(SQLite + a per-chat working directory). Close the app, re-open it, your
conversations are still there.
- **Resumable.** Each chat maps to a `claude --resume` session, so Claude
remembers the full history of a conversation across restarts.
## Getting started
### Method 1 - Download
- Download — one direct link to (Download)[https://github.com/janithcooray/claude-desktop/releases/download/v0.1.0-alpha/Claude-Desktop-0.1.0.AppImage]
- First launch — app handles CLI install + sign-in for you
- Sandbox mode — Settings → Security
### Method 2 - Build
#### 1. Install the prerequisites
**Linux (x86_64):**
- ⬇ [Download AppImage](https://github.com/janithcooray/claude-desktop/releases/download/v0.1.0-alpha/Claude-Desktop-0.1.0.AppImage)
- 📖 [Read Me](https://github.com/janithcooray/claude-desktop#readme) — full project docs, sandbox modes, troubleshooting
- 📝 [Release notes](https://github.com/janithcooray/claude-desktop/blob/main/RELEASE_NOTES.md) — what's in v0.1.0-alpha
#### 2. Install the app
> If double-click doesn't work, right-click the file → Properties →
> Permissions → "Allow executing file as program", then open it again.
### 2. First launch
#### 3. Run it
**Dev mode** (hot-reload, devtools open):
```bash
npm run dev
```
**Build a standalone app:**
```bash
npm run pack
# Linux: ./release/Cowork-*.AppImage
# macOS: ./release/Cowork-*.dmg
# Windows: ./release/Cowork Setup *.exe
```
### First launch
1. **Install the CLI.** If `claude` isn't on your system, a modal pops up
offering to install it. It runs the official one-liner
(`curl -fsSL claude.ai/install.sh | bash`) and streams the log so you
can see what's happening. No sudo required.
2. **Sign in.** A second modal explains the OAuth flow and opens a
terminal window running `claude auth login`. Follow the prompts; when
you're done, close the terminal and come back to the app.
3. **Start a chat.** Click "New chat" (or "New cowork") in the left
sidebar. In Cowork mode, click the 📁 button in the chat header to
attach a folder.
4. **Send a message.** That's it.
### 3. Choosing a sandbox mode
The default ("Sandboxed") mode is the right choice for most people. If
you want something different, go to **Settings → Security**:
| Mode | What it does | When to use |
|------|---|---|
| **Default (sandboxed)** | Runs Claude in a bubblewrap sandbox. Only the folders you attach are visible; the rest of `$HOME` is hidden. | Default. Recommended. |
| **Docker shell** | Runs Claude inside a Docker container. Strong isolation; needs Docker running. | If you prefer container-based isolation or are on a distro where bubblewrap is awkward. |
| **Jailbroken** | No sandbox, no permission prompts, full host access. | Throwaway VMs you control. **Not recommended for your daily machine.** |
## Common issues
- **"Default mode cannot start: bubblewrap not installed"** — install
`bwrap` using the command for your distribution (shown in the error
dialog), or switch to Docker / Jailbroken in Settings.
- **"Failed to launch claude CLI"** — the `claude` binary isn't on your
`$PATH`. Open Settings and use the Install button, or install it
manually and restart the app.
- **AppImage won't launch on Wayland** — try
`./Claude-Desktop-0.1.0.AppImage --no-sandbox` or set
`ELECTRON_OZONE_PLATFORM_HINT=auto`.
More in [INFO.md](./INFO.md#troubleshooting).
## Build from source
If you want to run the dev build or package your own AppImage, see
[INFO.md](./INFO.md) — it covers prerequisites, `npm run dev`,
`npm run pack`, and the project layout.
## Learn more
- [`INFO.md`](./INFO.md) — architecture, developer docs, configuration,
project layout, and a full troubleshooting reference.
- The official Claude Code docs —
## License & disclaimer
This project is an unofficial community build. "Claude" is a trademark of
Anthropic. The app is provided as-is with no warranty; review
[INFO.md](./INFO.md) before using it on machines with sensitive data.