Getting Started
| Component | Requirement |
|---|
| CPU | 64-bit processor (x86_64 or ARM64) |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Disk | 200 MB for the app + space for repositories |
| Display | 1280×720 minimum resolution |
| Component | Recommendation |
|---|
| RAM | 8 GB+ (16 GB for large repos with many previews) |
| Disk | SSD (significantly improves git operations and file previews) |
| Display | 1920×1080 or higher |
| Platform | Minimum Version |
|---|
| macOS | 12 (Monterey) or later |
| Linux | Ubuntu 20.04, Fedora 36, or equivalent (glibc 2.31+) |
| Windows | Windows 10 (64-bit) or later |
Crab Desktop is self-contained — no runtime dependencies are required. The following are optional:
| Software | Purpose | Required? |
|---|
| Git | Git operations | Bundled (uses system git if available) |
| Crab CLI | Large-file push/hydrate/dehydrate | Optional (needed for write operations) |
| SSH client | Remote workspace connections | System SSH used |
| GPU drivers | Terminal WebGL rendering | Optional (falls back to canvas) |
- Internet access required for cloning remote repositories and cloud storage operations
- SSH access required for remote workspace features
- No telemetry is sent unless explicitly opted in
The app itself is ~200 MB. Additional space is used by:
| Item | Typical Size | Location |
|---|
| Chunk cache | 1–10 GB | ~/.cache/crab/ |
| Repository working files | Varies by hydrated files | Working tree |
| Terminal scrollback | 2–20 MB per session | In-memory |
| SlateDB index | 10–100 MB per repo | ~/.cache/crab/ |
The chunk cache is safe to clear at any time (Settings → Cache → Clear).