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Using WSL Ubuntu Inside the AbacusAI IDE on Windows 11

The AbacusAI Desktop IDE for Windows comes with WSL integration bundled out of the box. This means you do not install the Linux version of the IDE : instead, you install the Windows IDE and connect it to your WSL Ubuntu environment.

This guide explains how to connect the IDE to WSL (Ubuntu), how to verify the connection, and how to start working inside the Ubuntu filesystem and terminal.

Prerequisites​

  • Windows 10/11
  • WSL installed with Ubuntu 22.xx or 24.xx
  • AbacusAI Desktop IDE for Windows (latest version)

Connect AbacusAI IDE to WSL (Ubuntu)​

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Step 1 : Open AbacusAI IDE in Code Mode​

Launch AbacusAI IDE from the Start Menu → switch to Code Mode.

Step 2 : Open Remote Explorer​

In the left sidebar, click:

Remote Explorer → WSL

This panel lists all available WSL distros detected on your machine.

Step 3 : Select Your Ubuntu Distro​

Under WSL Targets, click:

Ubuntu-24.xx.xx
(or whichever version is installed)

Step 4 : IDE Opens a New Window Connected to Ubuntu​

Click on the New Window icon on the selected distro.

A new AbacusAI IDE window launches automatically.

This window is now running inside the Ubuntu WSL environment.

Confirm That the IDE Is Connected to Ubuntu​

You can confirm the WSL connection in multiple ways:

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Indicator 1 : Status Bar​

Look at the bottom-left purple corner of the IDE window.

You should see something like:

WSL: Ubuntu-24.04

This visually confirms the IDE session is attached to WSL.

Indicator 2 : Terminal Prompt​

Open a new terminal inside the IDE:

Terminal → New Terminal

If connected to WSL, the terminal will show something like:

username@hostname:~$

This is the Ubuntu (Linux) shell prompt : confirmation that you’re running Linux inside the IDE.

Indicator 3 : File Explorer​

Open a folder using: File → Open Folder

You will notice:

  • The default location is your Ubuntu filesystem
  • Example paths:
/home/username

You can browse Linux directories and files only.

This confirms the IDE is working inside the Ubuntu environment.

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Indicator 4 : uname -a Command​

In the terminal, run:

uname -a

You should see:

microsoft-standard-WSL2

This proves the session is running under WSL2.

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Additional Useful Checks (Optional)​

Check Installed Distros​

From Windows PowerShell:

wsl --list --verbose

This shows whether Ubuntu is installed and running under WSL2.

Check GUI Support​

WSL2 on Windows 11 supports GUI Linux apps automatically (WSLg).

Run inside Ubuntu:

gedit

If a GUI opens, WSLg is working.

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)​

Do I need to install AbacusAI IDE inside Ubuntu?​

No. Install the IDE on Windows only. WSL integration is bundled and works automatically.

Why can’t I open the IDE from the Ubuntu terminal?​

AbacusAI IDE is a Windows desktop app, not a Linux GUI binary. You always start it from Windows.

How do I know if AbacusAI is using WSL?​

Check any of these:

  • Status bar shows “WSL: Ubuntu-24.xx”
  • Terminal prompt shows username@hostname
  • File explorer opens Ubuntu directories
  • uname -a contains WSL2

Why do I see Windows paths like /mnt/c/... ?​

This means you are inside WSL but browsing the Windows filesystem.

It’s normal : but for Linux workflows you should operate in:

/home/<username>

If WSL is installed, will AbacusAI detect it automatically?​

Yes. On launch, the IDE scans for available WSL distros and shows them in the Remote Explorer.