{"slug":"linux-systray-application","title":"Linux systray application","tags":["tailscale"],"agent_summary":"Last validated: Jan 5, 2026","trigger_phrases":[],"runnable":false,"markdown":"\r\n# Linux systray application\r\n\r\nLast validated: Jan 5, 2026\r\n\r\nThis featureis currently [in beta](https://tailscale.com/docs/reference/tailscale-release-stages#beta). To try it, follow the steps below to enable it for your network using Tailscale v1.88 or later.\r\n\r\nYou can run the system tray (`systray`) application for Linux desktop clients to access some common actions like [fast user switching](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/client/fast-user-switching) and [exit node selection](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/exit-nodes/how-to/setup) like with other Tailscale GUI clients.\r\n\r\nThe `systray` application works on Linux distributions that include D-Bus, and desktop environments that supports the [StatusNotifierItem specification](https://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Specifications/StatusNotifierItem/). This includes recent versions of GNOME, KDE Plasma, and COSMIC, as well as Wayland bars such as [waybar](https://github.com/Alexays/Waybar/wiki/Module:-Tray) and [hyprpanel](https://hyprpanel.com/configuration/panel.html#system-tray).\r\n\r\n![Tailscale system tray application running in GNOME.](https://tailscale.com/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fsystray-gnome.7685d09a.png&w=640&q=75)\r\n\r\n## [Start the `systray` application](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/client/linux-systray\\#start-the-systray-application)\r\n\r\nStart the `systray` app from the command line by running:\r\n\r\n```shell\r\ntailscale systray\r\n```\r\n\r\nTo launch the `systray` application on startup, you can use a freedesktop autostart file, or a systemd user service.\r\n\r\nTailscale version 1.96 and later supports launching the `systray` application on startup with a freedesktop autostart file by running:\r\n\r\n```shell\r\ntailscale configure systray --enable-startup=freedesktop\r\n```\r\n\r\nYou can launch the `systray` application on startup as a systemd user service on startup by running:\r\n\r\n```shell\r\ntailscale configure systray --enable-startup=systemd\r\n```\r\n\r\nFor other init systems, call `tailscale systray` in the appropriate startup scripts.\r\n\r\nDo not run `tailscale systray` as superuser (`sudo tailscale systray`), because systray is not designed to run as superuser and the command will fail.\r\n\r\n## [Configure GNOME desktops](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/client/linux-systray\\#configure-gnome-desktops)\r\n\r\nThe GNOME environment does not have a built-in system tray implementation, so you'll need to install the [AppIndicator Support extension](https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/615/appindicator-support/) to use the Tailscale `systray` application.\r\n\r\nOn Ubuntu, this extension comes installed as the `apt` package `gnome-shell-extension-appindicator`. You do not need to install the extension manually, however if you do, you might need to remove the `apt` package first.\r\n\r\n## [Add clipboard support](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/client/linux-systray\\#add-clipboard-support)\r\n\r\nTo integrate with the system clipboard, your environment may need a clipboard utility. Here are the following options and suggested commands to download and install:\r\n\r\n### [`xsel` for X11](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/client/linux-systray\\#xsel-for-x11)\r\n\r\nHere are the methods for installing the `xsel` copy and paste utility for X11 in your Linux desktop environment:\r\n\r\n- Debian/Ubuntu: `sudo apt install xsel`\r\n- Fedora: `sudo dnf install xsel`\r\n- Arch: `sudo pacman -S xsel`\r\n\r\n### [`xclip` for X11](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/client/linux-systray\\#xclip-for-x11)\r\n\r\nHere are the methods for installing the `xclip` copy and paste utility for X11 in your Linux desktop environment:\r\n\r\n- Debian/Ubuntu: `sudo apt install xclip`\r\n- Fedora: sudo `dnf install xclip`\r\n- Arch: `sudo pacman -S xclip`\r\n\r\n### [wl-clipboard for Wayland](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/client/linux-systray\\#wl-clipboard-for-wayland)\r\n\r\nHere are the methods for installing the `wl-clipboard` copy and paste utility for Wayland in your Linux desktop environment:\r\n\r\n- Debian/Ubuntu: `sudo apt install wl-clipboard`\r\n- Fedora: `sudo dnf install wl-clipboard`\r\n- Arch: `sudo pacman -S wl-clipboard`\r\n\r\n## [Support for non-Linux desktops](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/client/linux-systray\\#support-for-non-linux-desktops)\r\n\r\nThe `systray` application is currently only supported on Linux, and is therefore only bundled in the Linux client. It does run on other operating systems, including macOS and Windows, but some features, like desktop notifications, may be missing. If you are using an unsupported operating system, you can build the application from source and run it using the following:\r\n\r\n```shell\r\ngo run tailscale.com/cmd/systray@latest\r\n```\r\n\r\n## [Known limitations](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/client/linux-systray\\#known-limitations)\r\n\r\n- The GNOME desktop restricts the depth of sub-menus in `systray` applications. As a result, selecting a [Mullvad exit node](https://tailscale.com/docs/features/exit-nodes/mullvad-exit-nodes) is limited to the country level and does not extend to individual cities.\r\n- The COSMIC desktop runs the `systray` application, but displays profile images at full size, which may appear oversized in the menu.\r\n- The XFCE desktop is not currently supported. While `xfce-panel` implements the `StatusNotifierItem` specification, additional work is needed to enable compatibility.\r\n\r\n![Project Logo](https://cdn.brandfetch.io/tailscale.com/fallback/lettermark/theme/dark/h/256/w/256/icon?c=1bfwsmEH20zzEfSNTed)\r\n\r\nAsk AI\r\n\r\nreCAPTCHA\r\n\r\nRecaptcha requires verification.\r\n\r\nprotected by **reCAPTCHA**\r\n","html":"

Linux systray application

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Last validated: Jan 5, 2026

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This featureis currently in beta. To try it, follow the steps below to enable it for your network using Tailscale v1.88 or later.

\n

You can run the system tray (systray) application for Linux desktop clients to access some common actions like fast user switching and exit node selection like with other Tailscale GUI clients.

\n

The systray application works on Linux distributions that include D-Bus, and desktop environments that supports the StatusNotifierItem specification. This includes recent versions of GNOME, KDE Plasma, and COSMIC, as well as Wayland bars such as waybar and hyprpanel.

\n

\"Tailscale

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Start the systray application

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Start the systray app from the command line by running:

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tailscale systray\n
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To launch the systray application on startup, you can use a freedesktop autostart file, or a systemd user service.

\n

Tailscale version 1.96 and later supports launching the systray application on startup with a freedesktop autostart file by running:

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tailscale configure systray --enable-startup=freedesktop\n
\n

You can launch the systray application on startup as a systemd user service on startup by running:

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tailscale configure systray --enable-startup=systemd\n
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For other init systems, call tailscale systray in the appropriate startup scripts.

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Do not run tailscale systray as superuser (sudo tailscale systray), because systray is not designed to run as superuser and the command will fail.

\n

Configure GNOME desktops

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The GNOME environment does not have a built-in system tray implementation, so you'll need to install the AppIndicator Support extension to use the Tailscale systray application.

\n

On Ubuntu, this extension comes installed as the apt package gnome-shell-extension-appindicator. You do not need to install the extension manually, however if you do, you might need to remove the apt package first.

\n

Add clipboard support

\n

To integrate with the system clipboard, your environment may need a clipboard utility. Here are the following options and suggested commands to download and install:

\n

xsel for X11

\n

Here are the methods for installing the xsel copy and paste utility for X11 in your Linux desktop environment:

\n\n

xclip for X11

\n

Here are the methods for installing the xclip copy and paste utility for X11 in your Linux desktop environment:

\n\n

wl-clipboard for Wayland

\n

Here are the methods for installing the wl-clipboard copy and paste utility for Wayland in your Linux desktop environment:

\n\n

Support for non-Linux desktops

\n

The systray application is currently only supported on Linux, and is therefore only bundled in the Linux client. It does run on other operating systems, including macOS and Windows, but some features, like desktop notifications, may be missing. If you are using an unsupported operating system, you can build the application from source and run it using the following:

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go run tailscale.com/cmd/systray@latest\n
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Known limitations

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