TrickTack Comes to Linux
TrickTack 1.0 for Linux is our first Linux release, and it is not a stripped-down port. It is built from the same behavior model as the Windows app, so the activity it generates — and the way you control it — will feel immediately familiar. Under the hood it is a fresh implementation on .NET 8 with the Avalonia UI framework, packaged as a fully self-contained build that runs without installing a runtime.
It ships for both common CPU architectures: x86_64 (standard Intel/AMD machines) and ARM64/aarch64 (64-bit Raspberry Pi 4/5, ARM laptops, and ARM VMs). Each architecture is available as a portable AppImage and as a tar.gz archive.
Feature Parity with Windows
On an X11/Xorg session, TrickTack for Linux matches the Windows feature set:
- Mouse movement — natural, randomized cursor motion.
- Keyboard input — realistic keystrokes so activity isn't mouse-only.
- Scrolling — periodic scroll activity.
- App & tab switching — rotates the foreground application and browser tabs.
- Intelligent mode, idle detection & scheduling — auto start/stop, run on a schedule, and pause when you return to the keyboard.
- Global hotkeys, autostart & system-tray operation — the same
ALT+A/ALT+Xcontrols and background behavior.
On Wayland, where the legacy input path is blocked for security, TrickTack uses native modern equivalents — see the Wayland note below for the small one-time setup.
Builds & Download
Pick the build that matches your CPU. Not sure? Run uname -m in a terminal — x86_64 means the standard build, aarch64 means ARM64.
Download TrickTack 1.0 for Linux
Portable AppImage, self-contained, with a 7-day free trial. Most desktops and laptops use the x86_64 build.
Prefer an archive? x86_64 .tar.gz · ARM64 .tar.gz · or visit the download page.The AppImage is a single portable file — make it executable and run it, no installation. The tar.gz is a plain archive you extract and run, useful where AppImage/FUSE is inconvenient. Each download is about 36 MB because the build is self-contained (it bundles the .NET 8 runtime, Avalonia, and the Skia renderer), so there is nothing else to install.
System Requirements
- 64-bit desktop Linux with glibc — Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Mint, Arch, openSUSE, and more (not Alpine/musl, not 32-bit, not headless servers)
- A graphical X11/Xorg or Wayland session
- Runtime libraries:
sudo apt install libxtst6 libxss1 libnotify-bin(install the equivalents on non-Debian distros) - On Wayland only:
ydotoolwith theydotoolddaemon running - On Ubuntu 24.04+/Debian 13, to run AppImages:
libfuse2t64(or use--appimage-extract-and-run) - An internet connection for activation. Same subscription as Windows — one active device at a time
Installation
Using the AppImage (recommended):
Using the tar.gz instead:
Once it's running:
- Choose a plan — subscribe to Basic, Pro, or Premium with a 7-day free trial.
- Check your email — you'll receive an activation code after subscribing.
- Activate — enter your email and activation code in the app.
- Start — press
ALT+Ato start all features andALT+Xto stop, or use the system-tray menu.
A Note on Wayland
Wayland deliberately blocks the legacy XTEST input method that synthetic-input tools traditionally rely on. Rather than fall back to a degraded experience, TrickTack 1.0 supports Wayland natively:
- Input is generated through
ydotool, which injects events via the kerneluinputdevice. Installydotooland make sure theydotoolddaemon is running. - Idle detection uses the GNOME Mutter idle monitor over D-Bus.
- Tray icons on GNOME require the AppIndicator extension; without a tray, the global hotkeys still control everything.
On X11/Xorg, none of this is needed — TrickTack uses the standard X facilities and works immediately after installing the runtime libraries above.
Pricing
TrickTack is subscription-based, and the same plans and prices apply on Linux as on Windows. Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Linux distributions are supported?
TrickTack for Linux runs on any modern 64-bit desktop distribution built on glibc, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Linux Mint, Arch, and openSUSE. It needs a graphical X11 or Wayland session. It does not support musl-based systems such as Alpine, 32-bit systems, or headless servers.
Should I download the AppImage or the tar.gz?
The AppImage is the easiest option: it is a single portable file you make executable with chmod +x and run directly, with no installation. The tar.gz is an alternative for systems where AppImage or FUSE is inconvenient — extract it and run the TrickTack binary inside. Both contain the same application.
Which file do I need for my computer?
Run uname -m in a terminal. If it prints x86_64, use the x86_64 builds (standard Intel/AMD desktops and laptops). If it prints aarch64 or arm64, use the ARM64 builds (64-bit Raspberry Pi 4/5, ARM laptops, and ARM virtual machines).
Does TrickTack work on Wayland?
Yes. TrickTack 1.0 includes native Wayland support. Because Wayland blocks the legacy XTEST input method, TrickTack uses ydotool (via uinput) for input simulation and the GNOME Mutter idle monitor for idle detection. Install ydotool and start the ydotoold daemon. On an X11/Xorg session, everything works out of the box with no extra setup.
Why is the Linux download about 36 MB when Windows is under 1 MB?
The Linux build is fully self-contained: it bundles the .NET 8 runtime, the Avalonia UI framework, and the Skia rendering library so it runs on any supported distro without installing anything. The Windows build is much smaller because it reuses the .NET Framework runtime that already ships with Windows.
The AppImage won't start on Ubuntu 24.04 or Debian 13. What do I do?
Newer Ubuntu and Debian releases dropped the older libfuse2 library that AppImages rely on. Install it with sudo apt install libfuse2t64, or run the AppImage with the --appimage-extract-and-run flag. Alternatively, use the tar.gz build, which does not require FUSE at all.
Is my subscription shared with the Windows version?
Yes. TrickTack uses one subscription across Windows and Linux, with one active device at a time. Activating TrickTack on a new machine moves the license to that device.
Does the system tray icon work on Linux?
On most desktops, yes. On GNOME, tray icons require the AppIndicator (KStatusNotifierItem) extension; install it to show the TrickTack tray icon. If your desktop has no tray, you can still control TrickTack entirely with the global hotkeys — ALT+A to start and ALT+X to stop.
What's Next
TrickTack for Linux 1.0 brings the full experience to the Linux desktop — same activity simulation, same controls, same subscription. We'll keep refining the Wayland path and tracking distro changes (like the libfuse transition) so installs stay painless.
On Windows too? See the TrickTack for Windows 2.4.4 release notes. And if you're evaluating tools, our roundup of the best time tracking software for Linux shows where TrickTack fits in.
Get TrickTack for Linux
Version 1.0, self-contained, with a 7-day free trial. Full parity on X11, native Wayland support, x86_64 and ARM64.
All builds and plans are on the download page.