Set up a Linux Host

To use a Linux machine as a Host, install and start the OpenSSH server, install herdr or tmux 3.2 or later and Node.js 20 or later, then run the Waycar install command and scan its Pairing Code.

Set up your Linux machine

1. Install and start the OpenSSH server.

2. Install herdr or tmux. Get herdr at herdr.dev, or use tmux 3.2 or later.

3. Install Node.js 20 or later. See the table below.

4. Install mosh (optional). Install mosh-server and let UDP traffic reach it. See mosh.org.

5. Run the install command:

   curl -fsSL https://waycar.dev/install.sh | sh

6. Pair. Say yes when it offers a pairing QR code, then tap Scan to Pair in Waycar. See Pair with a Pairing Code.

Does my distribution’s tmux and Node work?

Distribution	tmux	Node.js by default
Ubuntu 24.04	3.4	18: install a newer one
Ubuntu 22.04	3.2a	12: install a newer one
Debian 12	3.3a	18: install a newer one
Rocky Linux 9	3.2a	16: install a newer one
Fedora 44	3.7c	22

Where the default Node is too old, install Node 20 or later with NodeSource or nvm. The install command also finds Node from fnm, Volta, asdf and mise. Enterprise Linux 8 ships tmux 2.7, which is too old.

Allow forwarding for herdr

Waycar reaches herdr’s socket through SSH stream-local forwarding. AllowTcpForwarding no in sshd_config blocks it, so set AllowTcpForwarding to local or yes and restart sshd. tmux Hosts don’t need this.

Copy the Pairing Code on Linux

If you can’t scan the QR, press c. On Linux the code is shown on screen so you can select and copy it, then tap Paste Pairing Code in Waycar.

Troubleshooting

• “Could not open the herdr socket”: start herdr on the Host, or enable SSH stream-local forwarding, then run the checks again.
• “Node.js >= 20 required” from the install command: install Node 20 or later and run it again.
• waycar isn’t found: add ~/.local/bin to your PATH.