Grok Bot for Linux: Unofficial port of the official app (open source)
Grok Bot for Linux: An Unofficial Open-Source Port
This project provides a community-driven Linux implementation of the official Grok Bot desktop application.
Core Concept: Similar to the Codex Mac-to-Linux transition, this repository takes the official Electron-based application, migrates it to a Linux Electron runtime, and swaps out native addons that were originally designed exclusively for Windows.
🚀 What is Included?
You receive the full official Grok Bot experience—including the UI, bot management, and the shared computer—all accessible via your Cursor account, running as a native Linux binary.
🛠 Installation Guide
For Ubuntu and Debian Users
To get started, install the necessary dependencies:
sudo apt install p7zip-full curl unzip build-essential python3 \
libfuse2 fakeroot
Note: You need Node.js 20+. If you are on Ubuntu 24.04, the default nodejs and npm packages are outdated. Please utilize nvm or NodeSource.
Deployment Steps:
git clone https://github.com/jakob-bu/grok-bot-linux-unofficialcd grok-bot-linuxmake buildsudo dpkg -i dist/grok-bot_ * _amd64.debsudo apt-get install -f -y(Run this ifdpkgflags missing GTK or NSS libraries)- Launch by typing
grok-bot
Alternative Execution Methods:
- Direct Run: Skip the package installation and execute the binary:
./dist/Grok_Bot_0.29.0_linux_x64/grok-bot --no-sandbox --ozone-platform-hint=auto - AppImage: (Requires FUSE 2)
chmod +x dist/Grok_Bot_ * _x86_64.AppImage./dist/Grok_Bot_ * _x86_64.AppImage
For Other Distributions (Fedora, Arch, etc.)
The dist/ folder contains a self-contained Electron tree in a tarball. Ensure you have GTK3, NSS, ALSA, and Mesa installed, then run:
tar -xzf dist/Grok_Bot_ * _linux_x64.tar.gz
./Grok_Bot_ * _linux_x64/grok-bot --no-sandbox --ozone-platform-hint=auto
⚙️ Build & Configuration
Build Command Reference
| Command | Outcome |
|---|---|
make detect | Identifies the latest official Windows version on the Cursor CDN. |
make build | Generates a Tarball, .deb package, and AppImage in dist/. |
./scripts/build.sh 0.29.0 | Forces a build of a specific upstream version. |
./scripts/build.sh --exe [path] | Builds using a locally downloaded .exe installer. |
make install-deb | Triggers a build (if necessary) and installs via dpkg -i. |
Technical Nuances
- Sandbox Issues: If Chromium's sandbox fails due to
setuidrestrictions (common in containers or specific Ubuntu configs), the/usr/bin/grok-botwrapper automatically appends the--no-sandboxflag. - Custom Flags: You can add additional Electron flags in
~/.config/grok-bot/electron-flags.conf(one flag per line). - NVIDIA Fix: If you encounter a black window on NVIDIA hardware, add
--ozone-platform=x11to the config file mentioned above.
The Build Workflow
🔄 Updates and Maintenance
The in-app updater works for Linux. It does not. The internal updater is hardcoded for Windows/macOS feeds. To update to a new Cursor version, follow this sequence:
make detectmake buildsudo dpkg -i dist/grok-bot_ * _amd64.deb
📊 Comparison: Mac vs. Linux Port
| Feature | Official Mac App | This Linux Port |
|---|---|---|
| UI / Bots / Cloud PC | Yes | Yes (Uses same app.asar) |
| Authentication | Cursor Account | Cursor Account |
| Native Addons | Mach-O | Rebuilt/Replaced for Linux |
| Auto-Updates | Official | Manual rebuild from Windows .exe |
| Official Support | Provided by Cursor |
Why not use the Mac .dmg?
Extracting a .dmg on Linux is cumbersome, and more importantly, the native modules use the wrong ABI. The Windows NSIS installer is the standard source for all community ports because it unpacks cleanly with 7z.
📋 Requirements & Legal
System Prerequisites
- Architecture:
x86_64Linux - C Library: (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04+)
- Account: An eligible Grok Bot subscription plan
- Build Tools:
p7zip-full,curl,unzip,g++,python3,Node 20+
Disclaimer: This repository is a build script and configuration set. It never commits the official installer, the app.asar file, or any pre-compiled binaries to the version control system.
License: MIT License