TouchDesigner-Linux

Run TouchDesigner on Linux via Wine, fully automated. One command, works on any distro.

👉 Roadmap & planned features

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Quick Install

Any distro (recommended):

curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ismail-bahloul/TouchDesigner-Linux/main/install.sh | bash

Arch Linux (AUR):

paru -S touchdesigner-linux

5-10 min, ~3-5 GB disk, auto-cleanup

The installer auto-detects your distro and environment:

• Graphical session -> full install with desktop shortcuts
• SSH / headless -> auto-detected, skips GUI-only steps
• NVIDIA users -> install GPU driver first, then reboot
• SteamOS -> the read-only root filesystem is disabled automatically (steamos-readonly disable, needs your sudo password)

Debug mode:

DEBUG=true curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ismail-bahloul/TouchDesigner-Linux/main/install.sh | bash

Install Python packages into TD:

td-install --pip install numpy
td-install --pip install torch --index-url https://download.pytorch.org/whl/cpu
td-install --pip list

Use a license dongle / network-shared license (CodeMeter):

td-install --codemeter status          # runtime installed & running?
td-install --codemeter add-server 192.168.1.15   # add a license server to the search list
# No runtime yet? Install one without msiexec (any version, e.g. to test):
td-install --codemeter install /path/to/CodeMeterRuntime.exe

⚠️ The CodeMeter server side works (native Linux / Docker). The client under Wine is still blocked while Wibu's protected cpsrt.dll won't load under Wine 9.0 (tested with runtimes 8.41a and 9.10) — --codemeter install makes it easy to try other runtime versions. See docs/codemeter.md for status & test results.

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Container mode (Distrobox)

Don't want to touch your host system? Run the whole install inside an isolated Distrobox container (podman/docker) — no sudo, no 32-bit repository setup, works on any distro including immutable/SteamOS:

td-install --container install
# or straight from the one-liner:
curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ismail-bahloul/TouchDesigner-Linux/main/install.sh | bash -s -- --container

First run creates a touchdesigner-linux container (Ubuntu 24.04), then installs everything inside it. The launcher, desktop shortcuts and .toe associations still work from the host (they re-enter the container automatically), and the Wine prefix stays in your $HOME.

td-install --container update          # same as above for other actions
TD_CONTAINER_IMAGE=fedora:40 td-install --container-create install   # custom image

See docs/container.md for details, GPU notes and limitations.

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Update & Uninstall

Any distro

• Update -> Run the installer and choose 2. Update
• Uninstall -> Run the installer and choose 3. Uninstall

Regenerates launcher, winetricks, DXVK, and UI fixes. No need to reinstall TD or recreate the Wine prefix.

Note: a full uninstall removes everything, including your TouchDesigner license activation (ins*.dat) — you will need to re-enter your license key after reinstalling. The uninstaller warns you before deleting it.

Arch Linux (AUR)

Update

paru -Syu

Uninstall

paru -R touchdesigner-linux

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First Launch

The font fix (wine_ui_fixes.tox) is injected into .toe files on launch. The license activation screen loads before any .toe, so text may look broken.

1. Launch TD → license screen (missing text is normal)
2. Enter your license, close TD
3. Launch again → fonts are fixed

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Documentation

• How it works — explains each fix and why it's applied
• Compatibility status — what works and what doesn't
• Wine runners comparison — tested runners, source analysis, compatibility
• Troubleshooting — common issues and fixes
• CodeMeter dongles & network licenses — use a license dongle over the LAN
• Advanced tools — toeexpand / toecollapse
• CI notes — maintainer notes on the GitHub Actions setup, headless Wine gotchas

Useful paths

Path	Description
~/.local/bin/touchdesigner	Terminal command (launch TD, open .toe files)
~/.local/bin/launch-touchdesigner.sh	Launcher script
~/.local/share/touchdesigner-linux/	Base directory (runner, prefix, assets)
~/.local/share/touchdesigner-linux/prefix/	Wine prefix
~/.local/share/touchdesigner-linux/backups/	Auto-backups of patched .toe files

File icons installed by the project:

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Support

If this project helps you:

• ⭐ Star the repo
• Support via GitHub Sponsors

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Built with care - Iswad