Install and Run Cherry Studio on Linux Ubuntu: A Complete Guide

Anas Mohammad -

Cherry Studio is a modern, open-source desktop client for Large Language Models (LLMs), supporting seamless integration with providers like OpenAI, GPT-3, and d.run. Cherry Studio empowers users to interact with advanced AI tools directly from their desktop.

This guide walks you through installing and running Cherry Studio on Ubuntu Linux, from prerequisites to advanced features and troubleshooting.

Overview of Cherry Studio

What is Cherry Studio?

  • Cross-platform desktop app for interacting with LLMs.
  • Supports multiple cloud-based and local providers.
  • Offers a user-friendly interface for prompt management, API integration, and model switching.

Key Features

  • Multi-provider LLM support (OpenAI, d.run, custom endpoints).
  • Secure storage of API keys and settings.
  • Clean, modern UI with theme options.
  • Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Prerequisites

Before installing, ensure your system meets these requirements:

  • OS: Ubuntu 20.04 or newer (64-bit)
  • Hardware: 4GB RAM minimum (8GB+ recommended), modern CPU
  • Permissions: Sudo access required
  • Network: Active internet connection for downloading files and model interaction

Download Cherry Studio for Linux

Cherry Studio provides pre-built binaries for Linux users. Here's how to get the correct version:

  1. Visit the Official Download Page
  2. Choose the Right Build
    • For most Ubuntu desktops, select the Linux x86_64 version.
    • For ARM-based devices (e.g., Raspberry Pi), choose Linux ARM64.
  3. Download
    • Click to download the .AppImage or .tar.gz file suitable for your system.

Installation Methods

AppImage allows you to run Cherry Studio without full installation.

cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x CherryStudio-x86_64.AppImage
./CherryStudio-x86_64.AppImage

2. Installing via Tarball (.tar.gz)

If you downloaded a tarball version:

mkdir -p ~/Applications
tar -xzf CherryStudio-x86_64.tar.gz -C ~/Applications/
cd ~/Applications/CherryStudio
chmod +x CherryStudio
./CherryStudio

3. (Optional) Running Windows Version via Wine

Not recommended unless the Linux version is unavailable. For experimentation:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install wine64 wine32
wine CherryStudio-Setup.exe

Use native binaries for best performance.

First Launch and Initial Setup

Language and Theme Selection

  • On first run, select your language and preferred theme (light/dark).

Adding LLM Providers

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Click Add Provider.
  3. Choose a provider (e.g., OpenAI, d.run).
  4. Enter:
    • API Key
    • API Host (https://api.openai.com or https://chat.d.run)

Model Detection and Configuration

  • Cherry Studio will fetch available models from your provider.
  • Enable or disable specific models for usage.

Advanced Configuration

Customization

  • Configure keyboard shortcuts, appearance, and layout.
  • Adjust font sizes and toggle night mode.
  • Set proxy options if behind a firewall or corporate network.

Secure API Key Management

  • Keys are stored securely within the app.
  • Regularly rotate credentials for improved security.

Backup and Restore

  • Export/import your settings and configuration between devices.

Troubleshooting

Cherry Studio Won’t Launch

If you see dependency errors with AppImage, install missing libraries:

sudo apt install libfuse2

Make sure the file is executable:

chmod +x CherryStudio-x86_64.AppImage

API or Provider Connection Fails

  • Double-check your API key and endpoint URL.
  • Ensure your internet connection and firewall settings allow outbound HTTPS.

Rendering Issues

  • Try updating your GPU drivers.
  • Run with a different display environment if issues persist.

On ARM Devices

  • Use the Linux ARM64 build for devices like Raspberry Pi.

Tips for Power Users

  • Use CLI flags (if supported) to script or automate workflows.
  • Integrate Cherry Studio with other AI pipelines or terminal-based tools.
  • Quickly switch between providers to test different model outputs.

Uninstalling Cherry Studio

  • AppImage: Delete the file.
  • Tarball: Remove the extracted directory.
  • Shortcuts: Delete entries in ~/.local/share/applications/.

Getting Support

  • Documentation: Refer to official Cherry Studio docs.
  • GitHub: Report bugs or contribute at the official repo.
  • Community Forums: Discuss usage, extensions, or troubleshooting tips with others.

Conclusion

Cherry Studio brings powerful LLM capabilities directly to your Linux desktop. With native support for multiple providers, a clean interface, and flexible setup options, it's an excellent tool for developers, researchers, writers, and power users.

Whether you're exploring GPT-based models or managing custom endpoints, Cherry Studio on Ubuntu is easy to install, configure, and integrate into your workflow.

FAQ

FAQ 1 Is Cherry Studio free? FAQ 1 Yes, Cherry Studio is free to use. Some LLMs may require a paid API key. FAQ 2 Can I use local models? FAQ answer 2 Yes, with support for Ollama and compatible local models. FAQ 3 Which file types are supported? FAQ answer 3 Cherry Studio handles text, images, Office files, and PDFs. FAQ 4 Are plugins supported? FAQ answer 4 Yes, via mini-programs to extend functionality.

References

  1. Install and Run Cherry Studio on Windows: A Complete Guide
  2. Install and Run Cherry Studio on Mac