┌─ FILE ANALYSIS ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┐
│ DEVELOPER : AppImage Project
│ CATEGORY : Executable
│ MIME TYPE : application/vnd.appimage
│ MAGIC BYTES : 7F454C46
└ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┘
What is an AppImage file?
AppImage is a format for distributing portable Linux applications. Each AppImage contains the application and all its dependencies in a single executable file, running on any Linux distribution without installation. AppImages follow a “one app = one file” philosophy, similar to macOS .app bundles.
How to open AppImage files
- chmod +x then run —
chmod +x app.AppImage && ./app.AppImage - AppImageLauncher (Linux) — Desktop integration
- Gear Lever (Linux) — AppImage manager for GNOME
- File manager — Double-click (if executable permission set)
Technical specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | ISO 9660 + ELF header |
| Filesystem | SquashFS (compressed) |
| Dependencies | Bundled (self-contained) |
| Desktop Integration | AppStream metadata, .desktop file |
| Sandboxing | Optional (via Firejail) |
Common use cases
- Cross-distro apps: Single binary for all Linux distros.
- Portable software: Run from USB without installing.
- CI/CD artifacts: Distributable build outputs.
- Beta testing: Easy distribution of pre-release software.