OpenAI launches the official ChatGPT desktop app for Linux in a preview version
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OpenAI announced the availability of a public preview of the official ChatGPT desktop app for Linux, filling the last gap in support for major operating systems after the app had been available only on Windows and macOS. The release is a significant step in OpenAI's strategy to turn ChatGPT from a browser-based chat interface into what the company calls a “super app” that combines chat, ChatGPT Work, the Codex tool for developers, and an integrated browser in a single package.
According to an OpenAI email, Linux was “one of the most requested platforms” for the desktop app, and this release responds directly to that demand. The desktop app adds capabilities not offered by the browser-based version: running Codex within local code repositories, controlling other applications via extensions, handling tasks related to ChatGPT Work, and accessing local files without uploading them to the cloud.
The download is currently available as.deb packages for Ubuntu 64-bit (x64) and ARM64 architectures, and has been tested on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, 26.04 LTS, and Debian 13. RPM packages are also provided for Fedora. Installing the.deb adds OpenAI’s official repository to the system, ensuring future updates via the apt package manager alongside regular system updates.
The release joins Anthropic’s Claude desktop app, which entered beta on Linux last month, indicating growing competition among major AI labs for the developers’ and researchers’ desktop. OpenAI notes that the app remains in “public preview”, may contain bugs, and some integrations may not work reliably, so it is not recommended for critical tasks.
The app is free to download and use with a free OpenAI account, but some advanced features require a paid plan. The program remains closed source, raising questions among the free-software community about transparency and technological sovereignty, especially in a Linux environment long associated with openness.
Date:Announced in August 2026 (public preview)
Source:OpenAI via the company blog and OMG! Ubuntu coverage
Availability:openai.com/codex