via TechCrunch AI
OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Desktop App for Linux, Closing the Platform Gap
ChatGPT is now available on desktops worldwide, but one platform remained conspicuously absent from the lineup: Linux. For years, developers in the open-source community have been vocal in requesting an official ChatGPT desktop client for their operating system, with discussions on OpenAI's community forums highlighting the demand.
As of this week, OpenAI has finally addressed that gap with the launch of a dedicated ChatGPT app for Linux. The company confirmed the release on Tuesday, stating, "Linux has been one of the most-requested platforms for the desktop app, and this launch extends ChatGPT and Codex across every major desktop operating system."
The new app, currently in preview, grants Linux users access to ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex. The rollout is global, with immediate availability beginning Tuesday.
OpenAI has designed the app to support several major Linux distributions, including desktop variants of Ubuntu 24.04 and 26.04 LTS, Debian 13, and Fedora 43 and 44. While the broader Linux ecosystem consists of hundreds of distributions, OpenAI's selection covers foundational distros that serve as bases for numerous downstream desktop flavors, implying broader compatibility across the ecosystem.
This move places OpenAI slightly behind its competitor Anthropic, which released a Claude desktop app for Linux about a month ago. Anthropic's app supports Ubuntu 22.04 or later and Debian 12 or later, positioning both companies to cater to the growing demand for AI tools on Linux.
With this launch, OpenAI not only fulfills a long-standing user request but also solidifies its presence in the developer-centric Linux community, a space where early adoption of AI coding assistants like Codex could significantly influence developer workflows.