Claude Desktop runs on macOS 13 or later, Windows 10 or later, and a Linux beta on Ubuntu 22.04 or Debian 12 and newer. Chat works on all plans, while Claude Code and Cowork inside the app need a paid plan. Download it from claude.ai/download, open the file, and sign in.
Requirements
Anthropic's help center lists:
- macOS: macOS 13 (Ventura) or higher.
- Windows: Windows 10 or higher.
- Linux (beta): Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or newer, or Debian 12 (bookworm) or newer, on x64 or arm64.
Mac and Windows install
- Download the version for your operating system from the Claude downloads page.
- Open the downloaded file to install.
- Launch Claude from Applications on Mac or the Start menu on Windows, then sign in.
Linux install
The recommended route is apt: add Anthropic's signing key and apt repository, then install the claude-desktop package. Updates then arrive through normal system updates. The page suggests you can verify the key fingerprint before trusting it, and that is worth doing.
The alternative is downloading a .deb file for your architecture. That does not enroll you in package updates, and the page says the app does not update itself, which is why apt is preferred.
Known Linux limits: computer use and dictation are not available. The Quick Entry global hotkey works on X11, and on native Wayland it depends on your desktop's GlobalShortcuts portal.
Cowork on Linux
Cowork needs more. The page lists hardware virtualization (KVM) enabled in BIOS or UEFI, your user in the KVM group, QEMU packages, about 25 GB of free disk space and at least 8 GB of RAM, with the workspace using 4 GB while running. The page says code in Cowork runs in an isolated virtual machine, and network access follows your egress settings.
Desktop extensions
After installing, Settings has an Extensions area. The page says extensions connect Claude to local apps and data such as files, calendars, email and messaging, are code signed, store sensitive values like API keys encrypted, and support enterprise policy controls. Extensions still run with access you grant, so review each one as you would any installed app.
A security habit
Installing from the official page and verifying the apt signing key fingerprint are both supply chain hygiene. If your team standardizes on the desktop app, record the version and source in your asset inventory. Safeguard has its own desktop app and a free scan at gold.safeguard.sh/scan.
Rolling it out to a team
If you manage several machines, write down three things: the minimum operating system versions above, whether Linux users go through apt for updates, and who may enable extensions. The help page notes that extensions support enterprise policy controls, so ask your administrator which controls apply. Pick one owner for the install guide, and re-check the requirements page when you upgrade operating systems, because the Linux support is described as a beta and may change.
Quick check
Does the Linux app update itself?
No. The help page says it does not. Installing through apt delivers updates through normal system package updates.
Is Cowork free?
No. Claude Code and Cowork in Desktop require a paid plan: Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise.
Sources
Last reviewed: 19 October 2026.
