Claude Desktop App

The Claude desktop app is a free download for macOS and Windows, with Linux in beta, that adds quick entry, desktop extensions, Cowork on your own files, computer use and Claude Code to the Claude chat.

The Claude desktop app is a free download from claude.com/download for macOS, Windows (x64 and Arm64, also in the Microsoft Store) and, in beta, Linux, and it works on every plan, Free included. Next to the same chat as claude.ai, it adds what a browser cannot do: a quick-entry window from anywhere, desktop extensions that connect Claude to local tools and files, Cowork working in your own folders, computer use, and Claude Code. Chat is on every plan; Claude Code and Cowork need Pro, Max, Ultra, Team or Enterprise.

Quick facts

Download	claude.com/download; Microsoft Store on Windows
macOS	macOS 13 Ventura or later
Windows	Windows 10 or later, x64 and Arm64
Linux	Beta: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later, Debian 12 or later, x64 and arm64, from Anthropic's apt repository
Price	Free; Claude Code and Cowork need a paid plan
Not on Linux	Computer use and dictation

Sources: Download Claude, Anthropic, read Nov 6, 2026; Install Claude Desktop, Claude Help Center, read Nov 6, 2026.

How to install it

Go to claude.com/download and pick macOS, Windows or Windows (Arm64), or get it from the Microsoft Store.
On Linux, follow the docs linked there: the app installs from Anthropic's apt repository and updates with the system (Install Claude Desktop).
Open the app and sign in with your Claude account. Chats, projects, memory and preferences sync with the web and phone.

Companies can deploy it with MSIX (Windows) and PKG (Mac) installers, control updates, sign people in automatically with SSO on managed devices, and pre-approve extensions (Download Claude).

What the desktop app adds

Quick entry. On a Mac, double-tap Option to open Claude over any app, share a screenshot or a window, and hold Caps Lock to dictate; it works on every plan (Use quick entry with Claude Desktop on Mac). On Linux quick entry works on X11, and on Wayland only through the GlobalShortcuts portal.

Desktop extensions. One-click packages that run MCP servers on your own computer, for example to read a folder or iMessage, installed in Settings > Desktop app > Extensions (Install Claude Desktop). They are on every plan, and only the desktop app and Claude Code can run them (About connectors). See Connectors and Model Context Protocol.

1:40 Cowork on your files. The desktop app is the only way for Cowork to reach folders and apps on your computer; on the web and phone, tasks run in the cloud (Claude Cowork). Local Cowork runs code "in an isolated virtual machine on your computer"; on Linux it needs KVM, QEMU, about 25 GB of free disk and 8 GB of RAM. Local sessions stay on the device and do not use memory (Download Claude).

0:11 Computer use and a built-in browser. Claude can open apps, click and type on screen, in beta on Pro, Max and Ultra; it tries connectors first, then the browser, and uses the screen "as a last resort", asking permission per application. A built-in browser, separate from your own, can import sign-ins from Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Local files, the built-in browser and computer use work only while the app is open (Claude Cowork and chat are one Claude). See Computer Use.

0:09 Claude Code. The app includes Claude Code, with previews of running servers, review of local changes and pull request status; /desktop moves a terminal session into it (Download Claude). Details are on Claude Code Desktop.

Desktop or browser?

If you only chat, the web app does the same job with nothing to install. The desktop app is worth it for a shortcut from any app, local extensions, Cowork on your own files, computer use or Claude Code. On Linux it is still a beta without computer use or dictation (Install Claude Desktop). Exports and the "Reset for free" limit button work on both web and desktop, not on mobile (Export your Claude data; Limit resets).

Safety and limits

By default Claude "asks before permanently deleting files", and Cowork's permission default is Auto on Pro, Max, Ultra and Team and Manual on Enterprise (Claude Cowork and chat are one Claude). Agentic work on the desktop uses usage limits faster than chat (Claude Cowork). Giving an agent your files and screen carries real risk from prompt injection, which Anthropic says its protections reduce but do not remove (Claude in Chrome); see Is Claude Safe.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Claude desktop app free? Yes. The Claude desktop app is a free download for every plan; Claude Code and Cowork inside it need a paid plan.

Is there a Claude app for Windows? Yes. Claude Desktop runs on Windows 10 or later on x64 and Arm64, from claude.com/download or the Microsoft Store.

Is there a Claude desktop app for Linux? Yes, in beta. Claude Desktop runs on Ubuntu 22.04 or later and Debian 12 or later, without computer use or dictation.

What does the Claude desktop app do that the website cannot? The Claude desktop app adds quick entry from any app, desktop extensions for local tools, Cowork on your own files, computer use and Claude Code.

What are the Claude desktop system requirements? Claude Desktop needs macOS 13 Ventura or later, Windows 10 or later, or Ubuntu 22.04 or Debian 12 or later on Linux.