# Linux on ChromeOS, sometimes called **Crostini**, allows you to run Linux apps for development alongside your usual ChromeOS desktop \& apps. Linux on Chromebooks offers developers the best of both worlds. Built and designed with ChromeOS' principles of simplicity and security, Linux on Chromebooks gives devs the freedom to safely run their favorite editors, IDEs, and thousands of world-class dev tools in one container.
[Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRlh8LX4kQI)

Turning on Linux will install a **Terminal** that you can use to run command line tools. You can also install graphical apps like editors and IDEs that show up in the **Launcher** alongside the rest of your ChromeOS apps. Another useful tool, the **Files app**, makes it easy to create shared folders for moving files between the ChromeOS host and the Linux container.

Benefits:
\* Run the most popular developer tools
\* Set up an Android, Web, or Flutter development environment
\* Test Android or Web apps on your Chromebook or test on a separate device [via USB](https://developers.google.com/chromeos/app-development/develop/deploying-apps) or [port-forwarding](https://developers.google.com/chromeos/app-development/develop/port-forwarding)
\* Easy backup and restore of your Linux container

Once you have [enabled Linux](https://developers.google.com/chromeos/app-development/develop/setup) you can learn how to configure a [productive desktop environment](https://developers.google.com/chromeos/app-development/develop/productivity), build for [Android](https://developers.google.com/chromeos/app-development/develop/android-environment) or [Web](https://developers.google.com/chromeos/app-development/develop/web-environment), and also work on [games](https://developers.google.com/chromeos/app-development/learn/games). We also have advanced guides to setup [Flutter](https://developers.google.com/chromeos/app-development/develop/developer-options) and other common Linux development [tools](https://developers.google.com/chromeos/app-development/develop/setup).

For any news or updates on the Linux developer environment, check out [news](https://developers.google.com/chromeos/app-development/develop/news)!