- OpenAI pushed a preview of the ChatGPT app for Linux.
- Anthropic’s Claude desktop app was launched for Linux about a month earlier.
- Codex has grown past 5 million weekly active users.
On Tuesday, OpenAI released a preview of a Linux desktop app for ChatGPT. It gives open-source developers access to ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex. The company announced it in an August 11, 2026, post on X.
OpenAI covers major desktop OS now
The release completes OpenAI’s platform coverage, the company said.
“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 company said.
OpenAI recommended users run ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex “where you already work and build,” alongside their projects and browser workflows on supported systems.
OpenAI lists Ubuntu 24.04 and 26.04 LTS, Debian 13, and Fedora 43 and 44 as supported desktop versions. They’re the base for many downstream flavors, so OpenAI expects a wider set of derivative desktops to run the apps too.
Codex was first shipped about a year ago. It was designed for writing features, answering questions about a codebase, fixing bugs, and proposing pull requests.
Anthropic released Claude for Linux a month ago
OpenAI’s arrival came about a month after Anthropic, which already delivered a Claude desktop app for Linux. Anthropic supports Ubuntu 22.04 or later and Debian 12 or later, which is a slightly older baseline than OpenAI’s.
In May, OpenAI introduced Codex on the ChatGPT mobile app. This launch came after Anthropic had already released the feature for Claude Code, as reported by Cryptopolitan. This desktop release brings the same rivalry to the operating system that runs most developer servers and workstations.
The Linux app also helps OpenAI’s plan to bring its products together. In March, the company confirmed it was building a single desktop application that would merge ChatGPT, Codex, and its Atlas web browser.
That strategy has found its paid engine in Codex. It now has over 5 million weekly active users, most of them paying, compared to a ChatGPT base of about 1 billion mostly free users.
If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter.
FAQs
Which Linux distributions does the ChatGPT app support?
OpenAI listed desktop versions of Ubuntu 24.04 and 26.04 LTS, Debian 13, and Fedora 43 and 44.
How does OpenAI's Linux launch compare to Anthropic's?
OpenAI released its app about a month after Anthropic, whose Claude desktop app for Linux supports Ubuntu 22.04 or later and Debian 12 or later.
What tools does the Linux app include?
The preview gives Linux users ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex, OpenAI's coding agent, which OpenAI says now runs across every major desktop operating system.
Disclaimer. The information provided is not trading advice. Cryptopolitan.com holds no liability for any investments made based on the information provided on this page. We strongly recommend independent research and/or consultation with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.
Randa Moses
Randa Moses is an editor and reporter at Cryptopolitan covering tech, AI, robotics, crypto, scams, and hacks. She has worked in the crypto space since 2017. She held roles at Forward Protocol, AmaZix, and Cryptosomniac. Randa holds a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Bradford.
