Linux: add an option to use native system window decorations
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Description
What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?
26.810.41047
What subscription do you have?
Plus
What platform is your computer?
Linux 7.1.8-200.fc44.x86_64 x86_64 unknown
What issue are you seeing?
The official ChatGPT/Codex Linux desktop app currently uses Electron’s custom hidden title bar and title bar overlay. This gives the window Windows-like square corners and decorations that do not integrate with GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE, or other Linux desktop environments.
Please add a Linux setting such as:
“Use system title bar and window decorations”
When enabled, the app could use Electron’s default system-decorated window instead of titleBarStyle: "hidden" and titleBarOverlay.
I tested this locally on Fedora 44 with GNOME 50 and Mutter. After disabling the custom title bar overlay, Mutter provides the correct native rounded corners, shadows, window controls, resizing behavior, and desktop theme integration. The application content continues to work correctly.
This would not require GNOME-specific styling: every Linux window manager would draw its own native decorations. A user-selectable option would also preserve the current appearance for users who prefer it.
Environment:
- ChatGPT/Codex Linux desktop preview
- Fedora Linux 44
- GNOME 50 / Mutter
- Wayland/XWayland
What steps can reproduce the bug?
Feedback ID: 019ffff5-c473-7f42-ad59-b829dba888a1
What is the expected behavior?
The official ChatGPT/Codex Linux desktop app currently uses Electron’s custom hidden title bar and title bar overlay. This gives the window Windows-like square corners and decorations that do not integrate with GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE, or other Linux desktop environments.
Please add a Linux setting such as:
“Use system title bar and window decorations”
When enabled, the app could use Electron’s default system-decorated window instead of titleBarStyle: "hidden" and titleBarOverlay.
I tested this locally on Fedora 44 with GNOME 50 and Mutter. After disabling the custom title bar overlay, Mutter provides the correct native rounded corners, shadows, window controls, resizing behavior, and desktop theme integration. The application content continues to work correctly.
This would not require GNOME-specific styling: every Linux window manager would draw its own native decorations. A user-selectable option would also preserve the current appearance for users who prefer it.
Environment:
- ChatGPT/Codex Linux desktop preview
- Fedora Linux 44
- GNOME 50 / Mutter
- Wayland/XWayland
Additional information
No response
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start by locating the Electron Linux window configuration that uses titleBarStyle: "hidden" and titleBarOverlay, then trace how application settings are defined and applied. Done means a Linux setting can select native system decorations while preserving the current appearance as the alternative, with the result checked on supported desktop environments.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- electron, linux
- Domain
- desktop, operating-systems
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Active
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 55/100