How to install Signal cli from github to Qubes os

General Discussion
1

Hello everyone
I wan’t install Signal-cli in Qubes OS
Could you please guide me

2

How are you trying to do that? What is failing?

3

Step 1: Install Java on the template

First, install Java 25 or 26 on the template that your signal-cli app qube will be based on.

For Whonix Workstation or Debian:

export https_proxy=http://127.0.0.1:8082/
wget https://download.oracle.com/java/26/latest/jdk-26_linux-x64_bin.deb
sudo dpkg -i jdk-26_linux-x64_bin.deb

For Fedora:

export https_proxy=http://127.0.0.1:8082/
wget https://download.oracle.com/java/26/latest/jdk-26_linux-x64_bin.rpm
sudo rpm -i jdk-26_linux-x64_bin.rpm

Shutdown the template after the JDK 26 installation is complete.

Step 2: Create and start the app qube

Now create an app qube based on this updated template and open a terminal inside it.

Step 3: Download signal-cli

Download the latest signal-cli by running the following command:

wget https://github.com/AsamK/signal-cli/releases/download/v0.14.2/signal-cli-0.14.2.tar.gz

Step 4: Extract signal-cli

Extract the downloaded archive with this command:

tar xvf signal-cli-0.14.2.tar.gz

Step 5: Update the PATH environment variable

Run the appropriate commands below to add signal-cli to your PATH.

For Whonix Workstation 18:

echo 'export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/signal-cli-0.14.2/bin/"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

For Fedora or Debian-based App Qubes:

echo 'export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/signal-cli-0.14.2/bin/"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.bashrc

Step 6: Verify the installation

Check the installed version with:

signal-cli --version
2 Likes
4

Thank you very much for response, it’s help me and i have done all the process now how to browse this app and where is the icon located? Actually now I need a guide of usage

5

There are no icons. This is a terminal-only application.

To browse it, type the following command:

signal-cli --help

For the detailed manual, use:

man signal-cli

If you want guidance regarding registering a Signal account or linking a device in signal-cli, there are many possible scenarios. It would make for a very long guide if I wrote down all of them. So please answer these questions first:

  1. Are you going to use it as
    a) a linked device for a parent mobile app, or
    b) as a parent device for a linked desktop app?

  2. If you choose option a, no further questions are needed.
    If you choose option b, what type of number are you going to use to register the Signal account?
    a) Local phone number
    b) Virtual number

  3. If you choose option b, then:
    a) Are you going to use it behind Tor, or
    b) Are you going to use it behind a VPN, or
    c) Are you going to use it with normal internet (without Tor or VPN)?

Option c is only possible in the case of virtual numbers if the virtual number is from your local country.

Answer these questions and I’ll guide you accordingly.

1 Like
6

Thank you
I would like to write the following answers:
I want to use it as a parent device for a linked desktop app, I use to register signal with Virtual number and I want to use it behind Tor

7

I’ve created a community guide with complete instructions for installing, configuring, and using signal-cli.You can find it here:

1 Like
8

Thank you