Helios / Install
From download to your first chat.
Choose the current release, connect one coding provider, and open a real project folder. You can add the other providers later.
Recommended for the current features
Ubuntu 26.04 — latest release package
Download the .deb and SHA256SUMS.txt from the same GitHub release. Open a terminal in the download folder, verify the checksum, then install the file with APT so dependencies are resolved.
Replace helios_VERSION_all.deb with the exact filename you downloaded. The checksum file must include that same filename.
The packaged acceptance tests run on Ubuntu 26.04. The APT archive publishes for amd64; use the source route for other Linux systems.
Verify and install your download
package=helios_VERSION_all.deb
checksum=$(awk -v package="$package" '$2 == package' SHA256SUMS.txt) &&
test -n "$checksum" &&
printf '%s\n' "$checksum" | sha256sum --check - &&
sudo apt install "./$package"The package should report OK before APT starts. A locally installed package does not subscribe you to the candidate archive.
Other Linux distributions · Developers
Run from source.
You need Python 3.11+, GTK 4.10+, libadwaita 1.5+ and GtkSourceView 5. Add WebKitGTK 6.0 for the browser, VTE 3.91 for the terminal and XDG Desktop Portal libraries for screenshot attachments. Use your distribution’s package names.
On Debian or Ubuntu with those versions available:
sudo apt install git python3-gi python3-gi-cairo python3-pil \
gir1.2-gtk-4.0 gir1.2-adw-1 gir1.2-gtksource-5 \
libgtksourceview-5-0 gir1.2-webkit-6.0 gir1.2-vte-3.91 \
gir1.2-xdp-1.0 gir1.2-xdpgtk4-1.0
git clone https://github.com/spencernorton/helios.git
cd helios
./scripts/heliosKeep the system Python available
GTK’s Python bindings come from your distribution. A separate Python environment that cannot see PyGObject will not launch the app.
To create an app-grid entry after confirming the checkout runs:
./scripts/install-desktop.shFor a reproducible version, check out a release tag. The default branch may include changes beyond the latest package.
Choose your update path
The GitHub release and APT channels are different.
| Route | What you get | How it updates |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub release | The version named on the release, including its source and package. | Download a newer release when you choose. |
| Stable APT | The archive’s stable version. It can lag behind the features shown here. | Normal APT upgrades. |
| Candidate APT | A separate, explicitly opted-in channel for newer packages. | Candidate policy applies; it is not enabled by the standard setup script. |
| Source checkout | The tag or commit you check out. | Fetch and review the version you want to run. |
Run apt-cache policy helios to see the version available from your configured APT sources. Compare it with the current GitHub release before choosing an install path.
Stable APT on Ubuntu 26.04 amd64
Read the setup script before running it with administrator privileges. It installs the archive keyring and stable source.
curl -fsSL https://apt.norvitech.com/setup.sh | sudo sh
sudo apt install helios
apt-cache policy heliosUse apt-cache policy helios to see the installed version, candidate and configured origin. Do not change suites merely to make a newer version appear.
The first five minutes
One provider. One folder. One small task.
Connect an agent
Install and sign in to the provider’s CLI, or enter an OpenRouter API key. Open Helios Settings to check the detected account and binary. Follow the provider setup guide.
Choose a project folder
Press Ctrl + Shift + N and pick a repository, or set the default working directory in Settings. A fresh chat in your home folder is read-only.
Choose the model and execution settings
Use the model picker and Execution control above the composer. The available modes and reasoning levels come from that provider; begin with a limited, reviewable task.
Ask for a useful first result
Try: “Explain how this project starts, then suggest one small improvement. Do not edit files yet.” Press Ctrl + Enter to send; Enter alone adds a new line. Read the response and tool results, then decide what to do next.
Preview and review
When you allow an edit, inspect the Changes pane, run the relevant command in Terminal and open a local preview in Browser. Learn the workspace.
If something is missing
Check these first.
My CLI works in a terminal but Helios cannot find it.
The app launcher may have a different PATH from your shell. Check the binary path in Settings. Put the CLI in ~/.local/bin or use the provider’s documented HELIOS_*_BINARY override. Restart Helios after changing its launch environment.
The model list or permission modes differ from the demo.
Check the Helios version, provider sign-in and that provider’s live model catalogue. Providers expose different features, and account entitlements affect what appears.
The Browser or Terminal pane is unavailable.
Source installs need WebKitGTK 6.0 for Browser and VTE 3.91 for Terminal. Install the corresponding system packages. Ubuntu’s Helios package requires WebKit and recommends VTE.
The agent can read but cannot edit my project.
Check the working folder and selected execution mode. Home-folder chats are read-only. A provider’s native sandbox or approval policy may also limit writes; permission names are not interchangeable between providers.
How do I update or remove Helios?
For an archive install, use normal APT upgrades. For a downloaded release, install the next .deb with APT. Source installs follow the checked-out tag or branch. sudo apt remove helios removes the package; user data remains. Back up your local state before deliberately deleting it.