# How to Install the Official ChatGPT App on Ubuntu: Fix Bugs and Enable Codex > Learn how to install ChatGPT on Ubuntu 26.04 and 24.04. This guide covers the official .deb package, Codex git integration, and fixing the Wayland typing bug. - Canonical URL: https://coreiten.com/en/article/how-to-install-the-official-chatgpt-app-on-ubuntu-fix-bugs-and-enable-codex - Language: en - Section: Linux - Author: Sami - Published: 2026-09-22T06:02:39+03:00 - Modified: 2026-09-22T06:02:39+03:00 - Publisher: CoreITen (https://coreiten.com) - Keywords: Install ChatGPT on Ubuntu, ChatGPT Ubuntu app, OpenAI, Codex, Ubuntu 26.04, Ubuntu 24.04, Wayland, AppArmor ## Summary OpenAI released an official native Linux desktop app for Ubuntu and Fedora, bringing local file access and git integration. - The client is a 417MB download for x64 systems and 396MB for ARM64, expanding to approximately 1.4GB after installation. - The app includes an AppArmor security profile located at /etc/apparmor.d/chatgpt to integrate with Ubuntu's security system. - The Codex coding agent requires a paid OpenAI subscription and must be pointed at a folder initialized as a git repository. - A known Wayland session bug causes unresponsive keyboards, which can be permanently fixed by modifying the desktop launcher execution line. - Completely removing the software requires using the purge command to delete OpenAI's repository source list and signing keys. **Why it matters:** This native Linux release bridges a major parity gap for developers, though advanced features like Computer Use remain restricted to macOS and Windows. --- Linux users can now integrate OpenAI's official desktop application directly into their workflow, bypassing the browser entirely. The newly released application to install ChatGPT on Ubuntu 26.04 and 24.04 brings local file access and native git repository integration through Codex. This guide is for developers and power users who want to run the AI assistant natively on their Linux machines. Installing the official package enables direct code reviews and ensures future updates arrive seamlessly through standard system package managers. Unlike a simple web wrapper, the desktop client is a robust 417MB download for x64 systems (396MB for ARM64) that expands to approximately 1.4GB once installed. It brings its own runtime and operates under an AppArmor profile located at `/etc/apparmor.d/chatgpt`, ensuring it adheres to the security system Ubuntu already runs. While a free OpenAI account is required to use the basic chat and file upload features, heavier tools like the Codex coding agent require a paid subscription. ### How to Install the Official Package OpenAI provides a dedicated `.deb` package for Debian-based systems, including Ubuntu and Debian 13, as well as an `.rpm` package for Fedora 43 and 44. Follow these steps to download and install the application via the terminal. 1. **Download** the latest package using the terminal. *This ensures you fetch the most current build directly from OpenAI's servers without navigating the website.* ```bash cd ~/Downloads wget https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/linux/deb/latest/chatgpt_amd64.deb ``` 1. **Install** the downloaded file using the apt package manager. *This command installs the application and automatically pulls in any required dependencies, including git.* ```bash sudo apt install ./chatgpt_amd64.deb ``` The `./` prefix is critical; without it, the system will search the standard Ubuntu archives for a package named "chatgpt" and fail. During installation, the system will add OpenAI's signed repository to `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/chatgpt.sources`, meaning future updates will arrive alongside your regular system upgrades. ### Unlocking Codex for Local Git Repositories The standout feature of the desktop client is Codex, a coding agent designed to work inside your local git repositories. Instead of copying and pasting code into a browser, Codex reads your local files, writes changes, and presents a diff for your approval before committing anything. To use this feature, you must point the application at a folder that is already initialized as a git repository. If you attempt to use Codex in a standard folder, it will fail to see the files. You can verify your folder's status by running `git -C ~/your-project status`. If it is not a repository, simply run `git init` and make an initial commit to provide Codex with a history to diff against. ### Fixing the Wayland Keyboard Bug Many Ubuntu users will encounter a frustrating bug upon first launch: the window opens, but the keyboard is completely unresponsive. This occurs because the application fails to connect to Ubuntu's default IBus input method inside a Wayland session. You can bypass this temporarily by launching the app with `GTK_IM_MODULE=xim chatgpt`. To apply a permanent fix, you must modify the application's desktop launcher to force the older input method every time it starts. 1. **Copy** the system launcher to your local applications folder. *This ensures your custom configuration overrides the system default and survives future app updates.* ```bash mkdir -p ~/.local/share/applications cp /usr/share/applications/chatgpt.desktop ~/.local/share/applications/ ``` 1. **Modify** the execution line to include the environment variable. *This automatically applies the input fix whenever you launch the app from your desktop menu.* ```bash sed -i 's|^Exec=|Exec=env GTK_IM_MODULE=xim |' ~/.local/share/applications/chatgpt.desktop ``` If you are using Fcitx5 for languages like Korean, Japanese, or Chinese, the fix requires a different approach. You must explicitly request native Wayland input by launching the app with `chatgpt --ozone-platform=wayland --enable-wayland-ime`. ### How to Cleanly Remove the Application If you decide to uninstall the application, using the standard remove command will leave OpenAI's repository and signing keys active on your system. To ensure a clean removal, you must use the purge command. 1. **Purge** the application and its associated configuration files. *This deletes the program, the repository source list, and the signing key entirely.* ```bash sudo apt purge chatgpt sudo apt autoremove ``` Because all conversations are processed and stored on OpenAI's servers, removing the local application will not delete your chat history. Your data remains safely attached to your OpenAI account. ### The Linux Desktop Parity Gap OpenAI's decision to release a native Linux client - complete with AppArmor confinement and proper repository signing - signals a serious commitment to developers who rely on Ubuntu and Fedora. The integration of Codex directly into local git workflows transforms the AI from a passive chatbot into an active pair programmer. However, the Linux build remains explicitly labeled as a preview, and the feature gap is noticeable. The highly anticipated "Computer Use" feature, which allows the assistant to click and type across other applications, is currently restricted to macOS and Windows. Furthermore, despite the heavy 1.4GB local footprint, the application offers zero offline capabilities; every prompt still requires a round-trip to OpenAI's servers. Until local model execution or full desktop control arrives, this release is best viewed as a highly optimized workflow bridge rather than a standalone local AI solution. ## Sources - [ubuntufree.com](https://www.ubuntufree.com/chatgpt-for-ubuntu/) ## Related topics - [OpenAI](https://coreiten.com/en/topic/openai) - [Codex](https://coreiten.com/en/topic/codex)