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Getting Started

Install Pluely v1 on Linux

Pluely v1 supports Linux with the same feature set found on macOS and Windows — the always-on-top overlay, Listen mode, screenshots, and Pluely's managed models. This guide covers installing the package and enabling the permissions Pluely needs.

1. Download Pluely

Go to pluely.com/downloads and choose the Linux package that matches your distribution.

2. Install the package

  1. Open the downloaded file with your distribution's package installer, or install it from a terminal using your package manager.
  2. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete installation.
  3. Once installed, find Pluely in your applications menu, under a category such as Utilities or Productivity.

3. Launch Pluely

Open Pluely from the applications menu. The overlay appears as a small always-on-top panel on launch. Toggle it with the keyboard shortcut shown inside the app.

4. Grant permissions

Linux permission prompts vary by distribution and desktop environment, but Pluely needs the same two categories of access as on macOS and Windows:

  • Microphone — required for Listen mode and push-to-talk. If your desktop environment has a privacy or sound settings panel, confirm Pluely is allowed to use the microphone there.
  • Screen access — required for system-audio capture (hearing the other side of a call) and for screenshots. On some desktop environments this is a one-time prompt; on others you may need to enable it explicitly in your system's privacy or screen-sharing settings.

If your distribution uses a portal-based permission system, you may see a one-time dialog asking to allow Pluely to share your screen or audio — accept it so Listen mode and screenshots work correctly.

5. Activate your license

Enter your license key inside Pluely to unlock Pluely's managed models and Pro features. If you prefer to bring your own provider key, or run a local CLI such as Claude Code, Gemini CLI, or Ollama, you can use Pluely without activating a license.

Troubleshooting

  • Package will not install — confirm you downloaded the correct package format for your distribution from pluely.com/downloads, and check your package manager's error output for missing dependencies.
  • No microphone or screen prompt appears — some desktop environments do not prompt automatically; open your system's privacy, sound, or screen-sharing settings and manually allow Pluely.
  • Listen mode only captures my voice — screen/audio-sharing permission is likely missing; check your desktop environment's screen-sharing or privacy settings and restart Pluely.
  • Overlay does not show on launch — check whether Pluely is already running in the background, then use the keyboard shortcut to bring the overlay forward.
  • Global keyboard shortcut does not respond — some Linux desktop environments require shortcuts to be registered manually in system settings; check Pluely's shortcut settings and your desktop's keyboard shortcut panel.

Last updated 2026-07-10 · pluely.com