GitHub Desktop on Linux: Installation and Specifics 🐧

GitHub doesn’t officially support a Linux version of GitHub Desktop, but the community has created an excellent port! Let’s walk through how to install and use it.

Why Is There No Official Version?

GitHub focuses on Windows and macOS, but thanks to the open source nature of the project, Brendan Forster (a GitHub team member) created a community fork.

Good news:
- ✅ Works identically to the Windows/Mac versions
- ✅ Regularly updated
- ✅ All features supported
- ✅ Free and open source

Installing via Snap (Ubuntu/Debian)

The simplest way:

# Install
sudo snap install github-desktop --edge --classic

# Launch
github-desktop

Supported distributions:
- Ubuntu 18.04+
- Debian 10+
- Linux Mint 19+
- Elementary OS 5+
- Pop!_OS

Installing via AppImage (Universal)

AppImage works on any distribution:

1. Download the AppImage:
   bash wget https://github.com/shiftkey/desktop/releases/latest/download/GitHubDesktop-linux-amd64.AppImage

2. Make it executable:
   bash chmod +x GitHubDesktop-linux-amd64.AppImage

3. Run it:
   bash ./GitHubDesktop-linux-amd64.AppImage

4. (Optional) Add to the app menu:
   ```bash
   # Move to /opt
   sudo mv GitHubDesktop-linux-amd64.AppImage /opt/github-desktop

# Create a desktop entry
cat > ~/.local/share/applications/github-desktop.desktop << EOF
[Desktop Entry]
Name=GitHub Desktop
Exec=/opt/github-desktop
Icon=github-desktop
Type=Application
Categories=Development;
EOF
```

Installing via Package Managers

Arch Linux (AUR)

# Using yay
yay -S github-desktop-bin

# Or using pamac
pamac install github-desktop-bin

Fedora/CentOS/RHEL

# Download the RPM package
wget https://github.com/shiftkey/desktop/releases/latest/download/GitHubDesktop-linux.rpm

# Install
sudo rpm -i GitHubDesktop-linux.rpm

# Or via dnf
sudo dnf install GitHubDesktop-linux.rpm

openSUSE

# Download RPM
wget https://github.com/shiftkey/desktop/releases/latest/download/GitHubDesktop-linux.rpm

# Install
sudo zypper install GitHubDesktop-linux.rpm

First Launch

After installation, launch the app:

# From terminal
github-desktop

# Or find it in the app menu
# Applications → Development → GitHub Desktop

Sign in to GitHub

1. Click Sign in to GitHub.com
2. A browser will open for authorization
3. Allow access
4. Return to the app

Configure Git

Provide your name and email for commits:

Name: Your Name
Email: your@email.com

Linux-Specific Notes

1. File Manager Integration

Unlike Windows/Mac, on Linux there’s no automatic integration with Nautilus/Dolphin.

Open project in file manager:
- Repository → Show in Files

2. Default Editor

Set up your editor:

1. File → Options → Integrations
2. External Editor: choose from the list
   - VS Code
   - Atom
   - Sublime Text
   - Vim/Neovim
   - And others

3. Default Terminal

When clicking “Open in Terminal” your system terminal will open:

• GNOME: gnome-terminal
• KDE: konsole
• XFCE: xfce4-terminal

4. Fonts

If fonts look strange:

# Install Microsoft fonts
sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installer

# Or use system fonts
sudo apt install fonts-liberation fonts-dejavu

Alternatives to GitHub Desktop on Linux

If GitHub Desktop doesn’t suit you:

GitKraken (free for public repos)

# Download .deb or .tar.gz
wget https://release.gitkraken.com/linux/gitkraken-amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i gitkraken-amd64.deb

Pros:
- ✅ Beautiful interface
- ✅ Powerful features
- ✅ Official Linux support

Cons:
- ❌ Paid for private repositories
- ❌ Heavier than GitHub Desktop

GitG (lightweight)

sudo apt install gitg

Pros:
- ✅ Very lightweight
- ✅ Fast
- ✅ Native GNOME

Cons:
- ❌ Basic functionality
- ❌ No GitHub integration

Git Cola

sudo apt install git-cola

Pros:
- ✅ Cross-platform
- ✅ Many settings
- ✅ Good for experienced users

Cons:
- ❌ Outdated interface
- ❌ Harder for beginners

Updates

Snap version

Updates automatically:

# Check for updates manually
sudo snap refresh github-desktop

AppImage

Download the new version again:

wget https://github.com/shiftkey/desktop/releases/latest/download/GitHubDesktop-linux-amd64.AppImage
chmod +x GitHubDesktop-linux-amd64.AppImage

AUR/RPM

# Arch
yay -Syu github-desktop-bin

# Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade

Troubleshooting

Won’t launch

# Check dependencies
sudo apt install libgconf-2-4 libappindicator1

# Or for Fedora
sudo dnf install libappindicator-gtk3

“cannot open display” error

You need an X server. If using Wayland:

# Launch via XWayland
GDK_BACKEND=x11 github-desktop

Browser authorization doesn’t work

Copy the token manually:

1. Go to github.com/settings/tokens
2. Generate new token
3. Paste it into GitHub Desktop manually

Performance

GitHub Desktop on Linux runs well:

• 🚀 Fast startup (~2 seconds)
• 💾 Low memory (~200 MB RAM)
• 🔋 Low CPU usage

Conclusion

GitHub Desktop on Linux is a fully functional alternative to the official Windows/Mac versions:

✅ All features work
✅ Regular updates
✅ Active community
✅ Free and open source

Try it right now! 🐧