How to Install the Official ChatGPT App with Codex on Linux

Watch on YouTube: ChatGPT Linux Is Finally Here: How to Install the Official App + Codex

OpenAI has released the official ChatGPT desktop app for Linux in preview. The app includes ChatGPT and Codex, so you can chat, work with local files, and use an AI coding agent without installing an unofficial wrapper.

This guide shows you how to check compatibility, download the correct package, install the app, open Codex, and start your first local project.

If you are unsure which part of the app fits your task, my ChatGPT Work, Chat, and Codex comparison walks through the differences with examples.

Preview notice: Linux support is still in preview. Package details and supported systems may change. Always start from the official ChatGPT desktop app for Linux guide instead of copying a package URL from an old tutorial.

Before you install: check whether your system is supported

The Linux preview officially supports these desktop distributions:

OpenAI provides x64 and ARM64 packages for every supported distribution. Other distributions or versions may work, but OpenAI does not formally support them during the preview.

1. Check your Linux distribution and version

Open a terminal and run:

grep -E '^(ID|VERSION_ID)=' /etc/os-release

You should see output similar to:

ID=ubuntu
VERSION_ID="24.04"

Compare the result with the supported versions above before continuing.

2. Check your processor architecture

Run:

uname -m

Choose the installer that matches the result:

Do not install an ARM64 package on an x64 computer or an x64 package on an ARM64 computer.

3. Download the official ChatGPT package

Open the official OpenAI Linux download guide and use its download table.

Choose both the correct package format and architecture:

Ubuntu or Debian -> .deb
Fedora            -> .rpm

x86_64            -> x64
aarch64 or arm64  -> ARM64

The official filenames currently used in OpenAI's instructions are:

Use the filename that was actually downloaded if it differs from the table. You can check your Downloads folder with:

ls -lh ~/Downloads/*.deb 2>/dev/null
ls -lh ~/Downloads/*.rpm 2>/dev/null

Avoid third-party Snap packages, community AppImages, unofficial Electron wrappers, and repackaged installers from unknown repositories. OpenAI's download table is the safest starting point because its links can be updated without making this article stale.

About Bubblewrap: Codex uses Bubblewrap as part of sandboxing on Linux, but the official installation guide does not require you to install it manually first. Install the ChatGPT package with APT or DNF so your package manager can resolve the declared dependencies.

4. Install ChatGPT on Ubuntu or Debian

Open your Downloads folder:

cd ~/Downloads

For an x64 system, run:

sudo apt install ./chatgpt_amd64.deb

For an ARM64 system, run:

sudo apt install ./chatgpt_arm64.deb

The ./ before the filename is important. It tells APT to install a local package from the current directory. APT also installs the package's required dependencies.

If your downloaded filename is different, replace the filename in the command with the one shown by ls.

5. Install ChatGPT on Fedora

Open your Downloads folder:

cd ~/Downloads

For an x64 system, run:

sudo dnf install ./chatgpt.x86_64.rpm

For an ARM64 system, run:

sudo dnf install ./chatgpt.aarch64.rpm

DNF will show the package and dependency details before asking you to confirm the installation.

6. Launch ChatGPT

Open your Linux application menu and search for ChatGPT. You can also launch it from a terminal:

chatgpt

The first launch may take a little longer while the app prepares its local files.

7. Sign in to your ChatGPT account

Open the app and sign in with your ChatGPT account. Your browser may open to complete authentication.

You do not need to create or paste an OpenAI API key when you use the standard Sign in with ChatGPT flow. The app also supports API-key authentication, but OpenAI notes that some features may not be available with that option.

For the current onboarding flow, see the official ChatGPT desktop quickstart.

8. Open Codex and choose a local project

In the desktop app:

1. Open the product selector in the top-left corner.
2. Select Codex.
3. Start a new chat.
4. Open the local folder that contains your project.

You can add repository instructions in AGENTS.md to tell Codex how to build and check your project.

For a safe first test, create a small Git repository:

mkdir -p ~/Projects/codex-linux-demo
cd ~/Projects/codex-linux-demo
git init

Then select ~/Projects/codex-linux-demo in Codex.

Start with the default or narrowest permission profile that can complete your task. OpenAI recommends limiting access to the files, commands, and network destinations a task actually needs. Read the official Codex permissions guide before granting broader access.

9. Run a quick Codex test

Give Codex a small, offline task:

Create a Python file that prints the Linux distribution,
kernel version, and Python version.

Run the program and verify that it works.

Do not install packages or access the internet.

Codex should create the file inside the selected project, run it locally, and show you the result. Review the file changes and command output before accepting the work.

How to update the ChatGPT app

The installer configures OpenAI's signed package repository. After the initial installation, update ChatGPT with your normal package manager.

On Ubuntu or Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install --only-upgrade chatgpt

On Fedora:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh chatgpt

These are the update commands published in the official Linux app documentation.

Common installation problems

The package reports the wrong architecture

Check the computer and package again:

uname -m

For a Debian package, inspect its architecture with:

dpkg-deb -f ~/Downloads/chatgpt_amd64.deb Architecture

For an RPM package, run:

rpm -qp --queryformat '%{ARCH}\n' ~/Downloads/chatgpt.x86_64.rpm

Download the matching package from OpenAI if the values do not agree.

Ubuntu or Debian reports dependency errors

Refresh the package index and let APT repair incomplete dependencies:

sudo apt update
sudo apt --fix-broken install

Then retry the appropriate sudo apt install ./chatgpt_*.deb command.

Fedora cannot install the RPM

Refresh DNF metadata, then try again:

sudo dnf clean all
sudo dnf makecache
sudo dnf install ./chatgpt.x86_64.rpm

ARM64 users should replace the filename with chatgpt.aarch64.rpm.

The app does not appear in the application menu

Try launching it from a terminal:

chatgpt

If that works, sign out and back in to refresh your desktop environment's application menu.

The app has problems under Wayland

Native Wayland support is experimental. The Linux app uses XWayland when it is available. To test native Wayland, fully quit ChatGPT and run:

chatgpt --ozone-platform=wayland

OpenAI warns that floating windows, window positioning, focus, and keyboard shortcuts may not work perfectly while native Wayland support matures.

Codex reports a Linux sandbox problem

Check whether Bubblewrap is available:

command -v bwrap
bwrap --version

On a supported Ubuntu or Debian system, reinstall the app's sandbox dependency if it is missing:

sudo apt install bubblewrap

On Fedora:

sudo dnf install bubblewrap

Restricted containers, disabled user namespaces, or unusual kernel security settings can also prevent the strongest sandbox path from starting. If you are using a supported desktop distribution and the problem continues, check the official permissions and sandboxing documentation.

Browser sign-in does not return to the app

Check your system clock:

timedatectl status

Then fully quit ChatGPT, temporarily disable a VPN or proxy if your organization allows it, reopen the app, and repeat the sign-in flow.

Current Linux preview limitations

The ChatGPT desktop app supports local projects, local files, and Codex on Linux. However, OpenAI currently lists these platform limitations:

• Only the Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora versions named above are formally supported.
• Native Wayland support is experimental.
• Some Wayland window and keyboard behavior may be incomplete.
• Computer Use is available on macOS and Windows but is not yet available in the Linux preview.

Check the official Linux compatibility notes for changes after this article's publication date.

How to uninstall ChatGPT

On Ubuntu or Debian:

sudo apt remove chatgpt

On Fedora:

sudo dnf remove chatgpt

Installation summary

The complete setup is straightforward:

1. Confirm that your distribution and version are supported.
2. Check whether the computer uses x64 or ARM64.
3. Download the matching .deb or .rpm from OpenAI.
4. Install it with APT or DNF.
5. Launch chatgpt and sign in.
6. Select Codex and open a local project.
7. Use a narrow permission profile and run a small test task.
8. Keep the preview current through your package manager.

Once that is done, the official ChatGPT app and Codex are ready to work with your local Linux projects.

Official resources

• ChatGPT desktop app for Linux
• ChatGPT desktop quickstart
• Codex permissions
• OpenAI developer documentation