Lazygit vs GitHub Desktop: is it a good Linux alternative?

Lazygit as a Linux alternative to GitHub Desktop

Updated October 19, 2026

Our verdict

Lazygit can replace GitHub Desktop for users comfortable with a terminal‑centric UI. It covers the essential Git operations—cloning, branching, committing, pushing, pulling and conflict resolution—without leaving the console, and it works on any Linux distribution that provides a package. It’s best for developers who prefer keyboard shortcuts and want a lightweight, scriptable interface; casual users who rely on mouse‑driven dialogs may find it less intuitive.

Feature parity78%

License: MIT
Price: Free
Latest version: 0.66.2
Rating: —

Install Lazygit

What works the same

Clone repositories from GitHub
Create, switch, and delete branches
Commit changes with a GUI/terminal UI
Push and pull to/from remote
View commit history and diffs

What is different

Lazygit is terminal‑based; GitHub Desktop is a native graphical app
No built‑in integration with GitHub issues or pull‑request web view
No drag‑and‑drop file staging; all actions use keyboard shortcuts
No visual representation of pull‑request status or reviews
Limited support for Windows‑style file dialogs and export options

Opening your GitHub Desktop files

GitHub Desktop does not store project data in a proprietary format; it works directly on the Git repository. Lazygit reads the same .git metadata, so there is no special file conversion needed. If you have local configuration files for GitHub Desktop (e.g., preferences), they are not used by Lazygit.

Switching from GitHub Desktop to Lazygit, step by step

Install lazygit from your distro’s package manager (e.g., pacman, apt, zypper).
Open a terminal and navigate to the existing repository cloned with GitHub Desktop.
Run lazygit to launch the UI; the repository will be detected automatically.
Familiarize yourself with the default keybindings (e.g., s to stage, c to commit).
If you use GitHub pull‑request features, open the web UI for review and merging.

Key features of Lazygit

Interactive staging and unstaging of file hunks
Visual branch management and switching
Integrated commit message editing
Real-time status and log viewing
Support for multiple repositories simultaneously
Keyboard-driven navigation with minimal mouse use
Customizable keybindings and themes

How to install Lazygit on Linux

Debiansudo apt install lazygit

Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S lazygit

openSUSEsudo zypper install lazygit

Frequently asked questions

Can I still use GitHub Desktop after switching to Lazygit?

Yes. Both tools operate on the same Git repository, so you can alternate between them as needed.

Do I lose any GitHub-specific features by moving to Lazygit?

Lazygit does not display issue or pull‑request details inside the UI; you’ll need to use the GitHub website or another tool for that.

Is Lazygit suitable for beginners?

It has a learning curve because it relies on keyboard shortcuts, but the on‑screen help (?) and clear prompts make it approachable once you get used to the layout.