Gemini, but better. The privacy-first, native desktop client for Google Gemini. Experience the best free AI desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Features global hotkeys, Spotlight-style Quick Chat, and zero data collection.
Installation • Quick Chat • Shortcuts • Privacy • Contributing
Start here: Read our Transparency Report which includes a direct comparison to the "GeminiDesk" malware and explains exactly how we protect your data. We verify every release with checksums and strictly limit network traffic to google.com.
Users have been asking for a desktop Gemini client with these features—we deliver on all of them:
| What Users Want | Status |
|---|---|
| 🖥️ Native desktop app (not just a browser tab) | ✅ Native & Fast |
| ⌨️ Global keyboard shortcuts | ✅ Fully Customizable |
| 🚀 Spotlight-style Quick Chat | ✅ Instant Access |
| 📌 Always-on-top window | ✅ Easy Access to Gemini |
| 🕵️ Quick Privacy / Hiding | ✅ Stealth Mode |
| 💻 Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux) | ✅ All three |
| 🔐 Stable login & persistent sessions | ✅ OAuth done right |
| 🔒 No data collection | ✅ Zero telemetry |
| 🖨️ Print to PDF | ✅ Export Chats |
| 🔔 Desktop Notifications | ✅ Notify on Reply |
Like macOS Spotlight, but for AI. Press Ctrl+Shift+Space (or Cmd+Shift+Space on Mac) from anywhere—writing code, browsing, reading docs—and a floating command center appears instantly.
What makes it powerful:
- 🌟 Spotlight-Style Access — Global hotkey summons Gemini over any app, just like
Cmd+Spaceon Mac - 💬 Floating Window — Centered, always-on-top dialog that doesn't disrupt your workflow
- ⚡ Zero Friction — Auto-focuses on input, submit your query, then it vanishes—results appear in your main Gemini chat
- ⌨️ Keyboard-First — Type, submit with Enter, dismiss with Escape. No context switching required
- 🎯 Smart Positioning — Appears on your active screen, keeps you in the flow
Need to vanish? Press Ctrl+Alt+H (or Cmd+Alt+H) to instantly minimize the app to the system tray. Out of sight, out of mind, until you need it again.
Keep Gemini visible while you work. Toggle "Always On Top" mode with Ctrl+Shift+T (or Cmd+Shift+T) so you can reference chats without switching windows.
Download the latest .exe installer from Releases.
Gemini Desktop-x.x.x-x64-installer.exe
Download the .dmg for your architecture from Releases:
- Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3):
Gemini Desktop-x.x.x-arm64.dmg - Intel:
Gemini Desktop-x.x.x-x64.dmg
Download the .AppImage or .deb from Releases.
# AppImage
chmod +x "Gemini Desktop-x.x.x-x64.AppImage"
./"Gemini Desktop-x.x.x-x64.AppImage"
# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo dpkg -i "Gemini Desktop-x.x.x-x64.deb"📢 Detailed Breakdown: See our full Transparency Report for network logs, data storage details, and author identity.
We take your security seriously.
For full details, please read our Privacy Policy and Security Policy.
| Category | Practice | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 🔐 Data | No collection | Zero analytics, telemetry, or tracking |
| Direct connection | Only connects to google.com domains |
|
| No password storage | Auth handled entirely by Google | |
| 🛡️ Security | Automated Scans | CodeQL and Dependency Audits run on every commit |
| Context Isolation | Renderer cannot access Node.js | |
| Sandboxed Renderer | Process isolation enforced | |
| Minimal Permissions | Restricted system access | |
| 💾 Storage | Encrypted cookies | Standard Chromium session storage |
| Local cache only | Standard browser caching | |
| No cloud sync | All data stays on your machine | |
| 🔍 Transparency | Open source | Full code available for audit |
| No paywall bypass | Respects Google's terms |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Shift+Space |
Toggle Quick Chat |
Ctrl+Alt+H |
Stealth Mode (Minimize to tray) |
Ctrl+P |
Print to PDF |
Ctrl+= / Ctrl+- |
Zoom In / Out |
Ctrl+, |
Open Settings |
Escape |
Close Quick Chat |
💡 Hotkeys can be modified in Settings if they conflict with other apps.
- 🚀 Native Experience — Run Gemini as a standalone desktop app
- 🎨 Custom Title Bar — Native-feeling window controls
- 🕵️ Stealth Mode — Instantly hide the app with one keystroke
- 📌 Always On Top — Pin the window above others
- 🔄 System Tray — Minimize to tray, quick access
- 🌙 Theme Sync — Follows your system light/dark preference
- ⚡ Quick Chat — Spotlight-style prompt from anywhere
- 🔔 Smart Notifications — Get notified when long background responses finish
- 🖨️ Print to PDF — Save your chats or code snippets as PDF
- 🔍 Zoom Controls — Adjust text size for comfortable reading
Contributions are welcome! Whether it's bug reports, feature requests, or code contributions.
- Fork the repository
- Create a feature branch (
git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature) - Commit your changes (
git commit -m 'Add amazing feature') - Push to the branch (
git push origin feature/amazing-feature) - Open a Pull Request
See CONTRIBUTING.md for detailed guidelines.
Found a bug? Open an issue with:
- Your OS and version
- Steps to reproduce
- Expected vs actual behavior
Built with Electron + React + TypeScript + Vite.
- Node.js 18+
- npm 9+
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/bwendell/gemini-desktop.git
cd gemini-desktop
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Start development
npm run electron:dev
# Build for production
npm run electron:build
# Run tests
npm run test:allgemini-desktop/
├── src/
│ ├── main/ # Electron main process
│ ├── renderer/ # React frontend
│ └── shared/ # Shared types & constants
├── tests/ # E2E and unit tests
└── build/ # Build assets (icons, etc.)
We take stability seriously. Gemini Desktop is backed by a comprehensive automated testing suite ensuring that core features work reliably and regressions are caught early.
- Unit Tests: Verify individual components and logic in isolation.
- Integration Tests: Ensure different parts of the system (Electron main process, renderer, localized APIs) work together smoothly.
- End-to-End (E2E) Tests: Simulate real user interactions—clicking, typing, and navigating—to validate full application flows.
If you're contributing or just curious, you can run the full suite yourself:
# Run all tests (Unit, Integration, E2E)
npm run test:all
# Run only E2E tests
npm run test:e2eWe believe that a robust test suite is key to maintaining a high-quality experience.
Gemini Desktop supports native global hotkeys on KDE Wayland via XDG Desktop Portals.
- Manual Testing: See Wayland Manual Testing Checklist.
- Automated Testing: Most Wayland tests are skipped in CI due to environment constraints. For local runs, follow the Wayland Testing Runbook.
- Debug Mode: Run with
DEBUG_DBUS=1to enable D-Bus signal tracking (seedocs/TEST_ONLY_SIGNAL_TRACKING.md).
If you find this project useful, please consider giving it a star! ⭐
- Electron - Cross-platform desktop framework
- React - UI library
- Vite - Build tool
- Google Gemini - The AI we're wrapping
Important
This is an unofficial, open-source project. It is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with Google LLC.
- Gemini and Google are registered trademarks of Google LLC.
- This software is a third-party client and is not a Google product.
This application is a specialized web browser that loads the official https://gemini.google.com website. It does not modify the Gemini service, intercept encrypted data, or bypass any authentication.
By using this software, you agree to comply with:
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. See LICENSE for full terms.
Made with ❤️ by the community
![@dependabot[bot]](https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/in/29110?s=64&v=4){kind=small}
