Do you want to run WhatsApp Web as a standalone desktop application rather than keeping a browser tab constantly open? Nativefier is a powerful command-line tool that wraps any web page into a native desktop application using Electron.
See Nativefier github repo: https://github.com/nativefier/nativefier
This guide will show you how to generate a portable WhatsApp client and integrate it directly into your Linux Start Menu launcher using a custom configuration.
Step 1: Create the Application with Nativefier ➥
Open your terminal and run the following Nativefier command to build your WhatsApp client.
mkdir ~/apps && cd ~/apps
nativefier --name 'Whatsapp' --portable 'https://web.whatsapp.com'
--name 'Whatsapp': Sets the internal binary name of your executable.--portable: Bundles the application cleanly into a single directory layout, making it easy to move, backup, or deploy across different folders.
Once the build finishes, move the generated folder to your local applications directory. Based on your target configuration, ensure the folder is placed exactly at /home/devnodes/apps/Whatsapp/.
Step 2: Open the Shortcuts Directory ➥
To make your newly created app show up inside your system’s Application Launcher (Start Menu). Create a new menu shortcut configuration file ~/.local/share/applications/whatsapp.desktop
nano ~/.local/share/applications/whatsapp.desktop
Step 3: Paste Your Configuration ➥
Paste your exact configuration data into the empty Nano text window. This file points directly to your executable binary, maps the application logo, and sets up advanced launch controls:
[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=Whatsapp
GenericName=Office
Comment=Whatsapp
TryExec=/home/devnodes/apps/Whatsapp/Whatsapp
StartupNotify=true
Exec=/home/devnodes/apps/Whatsapp/Whatsapp
Icon=/home/devnodes/apps/Whatsapp/resources/app/icon.png
Keywords=whatsapp;
Actions=NewWorkspace;
[Desktop Action NewWorkspace]
Exec=/home/devnodes/apps/Whatsapp/Whatsapp
Name=Whatsapp
Why This Layout Works: ➥
- Exec & TryExec: Launches the built native binary inside your user folder.
- Icon: Maps the graphical asset automatically generated by Nativefier inside the application’s resource bundle.
- Actions=NewWorkspace: Right-clicking your launcher icon will show an option to spin up an entirely fresh window instance instantly.
Give your system permission to execute and read the shortcut file by running:
chmod +x whatsapp.desktop
Press your Super (Windows) key, type “Whatsapp”, and you will see your brand-new custom desktop utility ready for action!
