signal-desktop
TLDR
Start Signal Desktop
SYNOPSIS
signal-desktop [options]
DESCRIPTION
signal-desktop is the official Signal Private Messenger desktop application for Linux. It provides end-to-end encrypted messaging, voice calls, and video calls synchronized with the Signal mobile app. The desktop client requires Signal to first be installed and set up on a mobile phone, which acts as the primary device.
The application is built on Electron and provides a full-featured messaging interface including group chats, disappearing messages, reactions, and file sharing. Messages are synchronized across linked devices using Signal's secure protocol.
Signal Desktop can be installed via the official APT repository on Debian-based distributions, as a Snap package, or as a Flatpak.
PARAMETERS
--start-in-tray
Start Signal with the window minimized to the system tray.--use-tray-icon
Display an icon in the system tray. Allows minimizing to tray instead of exiting the app.--user-data-dir=PATH
Use a custom user data directory. Useful for running multiple Signal profiles or managing multiple phone numbers.--enable-dev-tools
Start with Chromium DevTools panel open for debugging.--no-sandbox
Disable Chromium sandboxing (not recommended for security).--proxy-server=URL
Use a proxy server for network connections.--help
Display help information.--version
Display version information.
CAVEATS
Signal Desktop requires linking to an existing Signal account on a mobile device. The desktop app cannot be used as a standalone client. When using --user-data-dir for multiple profiles, each profile must be linked to a different phone number. Some features may require the mobile app to be online periodically for synchronization.
HISTORY
Signal Desktop was originally released in 2015 as a Chrome app before transitioning to a standalone Electron application in 2017. Signal itself evolved from TextSecure, developed by Open Whisper Systems (founded by Moxie Marlinspike in 2013). The Signal Protocol for end-to-end encryption has been adopted by numerous other messaging platforms. In 2018, the Signal Foundation was established as a non-profit to support Signal's development. The desktop client continues active development with regular security updates.
SEE ALSO
signal-cli(1), telegram-desktop(1), element-desktop(1)
