openai / openai/codex

Linux: add an option to use native system window decorations

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#38,595 5 comments 4 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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app enhancement Linux
Dominant language
Rust
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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
Image
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
Image
Additional information

No response

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. 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

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