Summary

This repository provides unofficial Linux packages for Anthropic's Claude Desktop AI assistant, enabling native installation and automated updates across various distributions. It targets Linux users seeking to leverage Claude's capabilities with enhanced desktop integration and features not available in the official releases.

How It Works

The project achieves Linux compatibility by applying a series of patches to the proprietary Claude Desktop application. These patches, primarily JavaScript modifications and some Nim code, remove platform restrictions, integrate system utilities for advanced features like desktop automation ("Computer Use") and task orchestration ("Dispatch"), and adapt the application's architecture for native execution on Linux environments.

Quick Start & Requirements

Installation is supported via package managers (AUR for Arch/Manjaro, APT for Debian/Ubuntu, DNF for Fedora/RHEL), Nix, or as a standalone AppImage. Manual .deb or .rpm installs are also possible. Optional dependencies like xdotool, ydotool, grim, imagemagick, and socat are required for features such as "Computer Use" and Wayland integration. Wayland users must ensure ydotool v1.0+ and its daemon (ydotoold) are running, with specific setup steps for Ubuntu/Debian. ARM64 packages are available. Official quick-start guides are integrated into the installation instructions for each distribution.

Highlighted Details

• Native Linux Support: Offers packages for x86_64 and ARM64 architectures across X11 and Wayland sessions on major distributions (Arch, Debian, Fedora, NixOS) and via AppImage.
• Computer Use: Enables extensive desktop automation with 27 tools (screenshot, click, type, etc.) via a built-in MCP server, integrating with system input methods like xdotool and ydotool.
• Dispatch & Cowork: Facilitates mobile-to-desktop task orchestration and agentic workspace features natively on Linux, requiring the claude-cowork-service.
• Third-Party Inference: Allows configuration to use custom cloud inference backends (Vertex AI, Bedrock, Azure AI Foundry, or compatible gateways).
• Enhanced Features: Includes Live Artifacts for interactive dashboards, Imagine/Visualize for inline graphics, Hardware Buddy BLE device integration, and custom theming support.
• Browser Tools: Integrates with the "Claude in Chrome" extension for web automation.

Maintenance & Community

The repository features automated daily checks for new Claude Desktop versions, CI validation of patches in Docker, and automatic updates to AUR packages. GitHub releases are maintained for tracking. This is an unofficial community project.

Licensing & Compatibility

This repository contains build scripts and patches for proprietary software (Claude Desktop by Anthropic PBC). No specific open-source license is declared for the repository's contents. Use is intended for educational and research purposes; the project is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic. Commercial use compatibility is not addressed.

Limitations & Caveats

The Quick Entry hotkey on GNOME Wayland requires manual registration. "Computer Use" features are limited to the primary monitor on Linux. The interactive teach overlay for "Computer Use" can block clicks on X11. Source builds do not receive automatic updates.