xd

xd is a GTK4 desktop client for workspace-organized Codex and Claude Code conversations. Chats inherit their folder's working directory, repository, backend, model, and project instructions.

Install

Linux x86_64:

curl -fsSL https://github.com/RestartFU/xd/releases/download/nightly/install.sh | sh

macOS Apple Silicon:

curl -fsSL https://github.com/RestartFU/xd/releases/download/nightly/install-macos.sh | sh

Windows x86_64 (PowerShell):

irm https://github.com/RestartFU/xd/releases/download/nightly/install.ps1 | iex

The Linux and macOS installers require no root access; Windows uses the standard MSI installer and may request UAC approval. Every platform receives a self-contained app with GTK, Git, Codex, Claude Code, speech support, and native runtime libraries. No system package-manager installation is required. xd has no in-app updater; quit it and rerun the installer to update.

Nightly data lives in ~/.local/share/xd-nightly on Linux and the equivalent platform data directory on macOS and Windows. Uninstalling the app does not delete chats or workspaces.

What it does

• Organizes chats in real workspace folders that can be nested, moved, or renamed without losing their conversations.
• Inherits folder settings and instructions down the workspace tree.
• Runs bundled Codex and Claude Code CLIs with their normal authentication and configuration.
• Supports existing checkouts and isolated Git worktrees.
• Streams Markdown responses, tool calls, inline file diffs, images, and voice messages.
• Supports local use and paired clients over the same daemon protocol.
• Searches all stored messages with Ctrl+K.

Build and test

Linux builds require Docker only and do not install dependencies on the host:

./scripts/build.sh     # self-contained bundle in ./dist
./scripts/test.sh      # complete headless test suite
./dist/xd.sh           # run the built app

Native release builders:

./scripts/build-macos.sh ./macos-dist nightly
./scripts/build-windows.sh ./windows-dist nightly

The macOS builder requires Apple Silicon and its Homebrew build dependencies. The Windows builder runs in an x86_64 MSYS2 UCRT64 shell. Their outputs are self-contained; end users do not need those build dependencies.

xd is written in Crystal. The client and daemon are built from src/xd.cr; behavior and protocol specs live under spec/.