tibixdev/winboat

Analysis updated 2026-06-21

★ 20,764TypeScriptAudience · developerComplexity · 4/5LicenseSetup · hard

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((WinBoat))
    What it does
      Run Windows apps on Linux
      Individual app windows
      File sharing
    Tech Stack
      TypeScript
      Electron
      Docker or Podman
      FreeRDP
    Use Cases
      Windows-only software
      File sharing
      Desktop integration
    Requirements
      KVM support
      4GB RAM minimum
      32GB storage

mindmap root((WinBoat)) What it does Run Windows apps on Linux Individual app windows File sharing Tech Stack TypeScript Electron Docker or Podman FreeRDP Use Cases Windows-only software File sharing Desktop integration Requirements KVM support 4GB RAM minimum 32GB storage

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What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Run a Windows-only app as a regular window on your Linux desktop without setting up a full Windows virtual machine.

USE CASE 2

Mount your Linux home folder inside a Windows app running in WinBoat to share files seamlessly between the two systems.

USE CASE 3

Install WinBoat via AppImage.deb, or .rpm to quickly add Windows app access to any major Linux distribution.

USE CASE 4

Test or demo Windows software on Linux without maintaining a separate Windows installation.

What is it built with?

TypeScriptElectronDockerPodmanFreeRDP

How does it compare?

	tibixdev/winboat	airbnb/visx	coze-dev/coze-studio
Stars	20,764	20,780	20,700
Language	TypeScript	TypeScript	TypeScript
Setup difficulty	hard	moderate	hard
Complexity	4/5	3/5	4/5
Audience	developer	developer	developer

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · hard Time to first run · 1h+

Requires KVM support enabled in BIOS, at least 4 GB RAM, 32 GB free storage, Docker or Podman, and FreeRDP 3.x with sound support.

Use freely for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as you keep the copyright notice.

In plain English

WinBoat is an Electron application for Linux that lets you run Windows applications as if they were native Linux windows. It works by running Windows inside a Docker or Podman container (a lightweight virtualized environment), then uses FreeRDP and Windows's RemoteApp protocol to display individual Windows application windows directly on your Linux desktop, rather than showing you a full Windows virtual machine window. This means a Windows app can appear alongside your Linux apps as an ordinary window, with your Linux home directory also mounted in the Windows environment for easy file sharing between the two systems. Setting up Windows is handled through WinBoat's interface, where you choose your preferences and the app handles the installation automatically. You can also open the full Windows desktop if needed. Hardware requirements include at least 4 GB of RAM, 2 CPU threads, 32 GB of free storage, and KVM virtualization support enabled in your computer's BIOS. FreeRDP version 3.x with sound support is also required. The project is currently in beta, so occasional bugs are expected. It is built with TypeScript and is available as an AppImage.deb.rpm, or NixPkgs package. It is open source under the MIT license.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1

I'm on Linux and need to run a Windows app that has no Linux version. Walk me through setting up WinBoat with Docker so the app appears as a normal Linux window.

Prompt 2

My Linux system has KVM enabled and 8 GB RAM. How do I install FreeRDP 3.x and WinBoat on Ubuntu, then launch my first Windows application?

Prompt 3

How do I share files between my Linux home directory and a Windows app running inside WinBoat?

Prompt 4

WinBoat is in beta. What are common setup problems and how do I debug a blank or black window when launching a Windows app?

Frequently asked questions

What is winboat?

WinBoat is a Linux desktop app that runs Windows applications inside a lightweight container and displays each app as an ordinary Linux window, so you can use Windows-only software alongside your Linux apps without a full virtual machine.

What language is winboat written in?

Mainly TypeScript. The stack also includes TypeScript, Electron, Docker.

What license does winboat use?

Use freely for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as you keep the copyright notice.

How hard is winboat to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated hard, with roughly 1h+ to a first successful run.

Who is winboat for?

Mainly developer.

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