ChatGPT and Codex now land on Linux, with one key limitation

OpenAI has released a preview version of its ChatGPT desktop app for Linux, bringing ChatGPT Work, the Codex coding agent and an integrated browser to the platform. Frederic Lardinois reports for The New Stack that the app is available globally and supports Ubuntu 24.04 and 26.04 LTS, Debian 13, and Fedora 43 and 44.

Users can install native packages for x64 and ARM64 computers. OpenAI says the release extends its desktop software across the major desktop operating systems, following the Mac and Windows versions.

A notable restriction

Linux users do not receive native Computer Use at launch. That feature lets ChatGPT control applications outside its own browser, such as office or image-editing software. As a result, related functions including Appshots, Record & Replay, and some voice requests involving desktop applications are also unavailable.

Browser-based workflows remain supported, including the Chrome extension. OpenAI’s in-app browser can therefore still handle tasks that take place online.

For developers, the desktop app does not replace existing Linux options. Codex CLI and the company’s IDE extension already run on Linux, while Codex cloud can handle delegated coding tasks remotely. The new app is intended more as a coordination tool for longer projects, multiple repositories and work involving several agents.