diff --git a/packages/app/src/components/settings-general.tsx b/packages/app/src/components/settings-general.tsx
index b31cfb6cc7..007c414702 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/components/settings-general.tsx
+++ b/packages/app/src/components/settings-general.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { Component, createMemo, type JSX } from "solid-js"
+import { Component, createEffect, createMemo, type JSX, Show } from "solid-js"
 import { createStore } from "solid-js/store"
 import { Button } from "@opencode-ai/ui/button"
 import { Select } from "@opencode-ai/ui/select"
@@ -36,8 +36,12 @@ export const SettingsGeneral: Component = () => {
   const platform = usePlatform()
   const settings = useSettings()
 
+  type BackendMode = "native" | "wsl"
+
   const [store, setStore] = createStore({
     checking: false,
+    backend: "native" as BackendMode,
+    backendReady: false,
   })
 
   const check = () => {
@@ -111,6 +115,34 @@ export const SettingsGeneral: Component = () => {
     })),
   )
 
+  const backendOptions = createMemo(() => [
+    { value: "native" as const, label: language.t("settings.desktop.backend.option.native") },
+    { value: "wsl" as const, label: language.t("settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl") },
+  ])
+
+  const showBackend = () =>
+    platform.platform === "desktop" &&
+    platform.os === "windows" &&
+    !!platform.getBackendConfig &&
+    !!platform.setBackendConfig
+
+  createEffect(() => {
+    if (!showBackend()) return
+    if (store.backendReady) return
+    const get = platform.getBackendConfig
+    if (!get) {
+      setStore("backendReady", true)
+      return
+    }
+
+    void Promise.resolve(get())
+      .then((config) => {
+        const mode = config?.mode === "wsl" ? "wsl" : "native"
+        setStore({ backend: mode, backendReady: true })
+      })
+      .catch(() => setStore("backendReady", true))
+  })
+
   const fontOptions = [
     { value: "ibm-plex-mono", label: "font.option.ibmPlexMono" },
     { value: "cascadia-code", label: "font.option.cascadiaCode" },
@@ -363,6 +395,38 @@ export const SettingsGeneral: Component = () => {
           </div>
         </div>
 
+        <Show when={showBackend()}>
+          <div class="flex flex-col gap-1">
+            <h3 class="text-14-medium text-text-strong pb-2">{language.t("settings.desktop.section.backend")}</h3>
+
+            <div class="bg-surface-raised-base px-4 rounded-lg">
+              <SettingsRow
+                title={language.t("settings.desktop.backend.title")}
+                description={language.t("settings.desktop.backend.description")}
+              >
+                <Select
+                  data-action="settings-backend"
+                  options={backendOptions()}
+                  current={backendOptions().find((o) => o.value === store.backend)}
+                  value={(option) => option.value}
+                  label={(option) => option.label}
+                  onSelect={(option) => {
+                    if (!option) return
+                    const setBackend = platform.setBackendConfig
+                    if (!setBackend) return
+                    setStore("backend", option.value)
+                    void Promise.resolve(setBackend({ mode: option.value }))
+                  }}
+                  variant="secondary"
+                  size="small"
+                  triggerVariant="settings"
+                  disabled={!store.backendReady}
+                />
+              </SettingsRow>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </Show>
+
         {/* Updates Section */}
         <div class="flex flex-col gap-1">
           <h3 class="text-14-medium text-text-strong pb-2">{language.t("settings.general.section.updates")}</h3>
diff --git a/packages/app/src/context/platform.tsx b/packages/app/src/context/platform.tsx
index 3fca502bad..16ed29735c 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/context/platform.tsx
+++ b/packages/app/src/context/platform.tsx
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ export type Platform = {
   /** Open directory picker dialog (native on Tauri, server-backed on web) */
   openDirectoryPickerDialog?(opts?: { title?: string; multiple?: boolean }): Promise<string | string[] | null>
 
+  /** Whether native pickers should be used (desktop only) */
+  supportsNativePickers?(): boolean
+
   /** Open native file picker dialog (Tauri only) */
   openFilePickerDialog?(opts?: { title?: string; multiple?: boolean }): Promise<string | string[] | null>
 
@@ -57,6 +60,12 @@ export type Platform = {
   /** Set the default server URL to use on app startup (platform-specific) */
   setDefaultServerUrl?(url: string | null): Promise<void> | void
 
+  /** Get the configured backend mode (desktop only) */
+  getBackendConfig?(): Promise<{ mode: "native" | "wsl" } | null> | { mode: "native" | "wsl" } | null
+
+  /** Set the configured backend mode (desktop only) */
+  setBackendConfig?(config: { mode: "native" | "wsl" }): Promise<void> | void
+
   /** Parse markdown to HTML using native parser (desktop only, returns unprocessed code blocks) */
   parseMarkdown?(markdown: string): Promise<string>
 
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/ar.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/ar.ts
index 201d63660a..7ee84050af 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/ar.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/ar.ts
@@ -508,6 +508,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "الخادم",
   "settings.tab.general": "عام",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "اختصارات",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "المظهر",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "إشعارات النظام",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/br.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/br.ts
index b7f2d74857..177414c0a6 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/br.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/br.ts
@@ -512,6 +512,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "Servidor",
   "settings.tab.general": "Geral",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "Atalhos",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "Aparência",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "Notificações do sistema",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/bs.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/bs.ts
index 05eca1628e..da414b512e 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/bs.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/bs.ts
@@ -539,6 +539,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "Server",
   "settings.tab.general": "Opšte",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "Prečice",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "Izgled",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "Sistemske obavijesti",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/da.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/da.ts
index 8ea4907c1b..5c3cdff59d 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/da.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/da.ts
@@ -512,6 +512,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "Server",
   "settings.tab.general": "Generelt",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "Genveje",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "Udseende",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "Systemmeddelelser",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/de.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/de.ts
index a4884a1033..874665acfa 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/de.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/de.ts
@@ -556,6 +556,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "Server",
   "settings.tab.general": "Allgemein",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "Tastenkombinationen",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "Erscheinungsbild",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "Systembenachrichtigungen",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/en.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/en.ts
index 8fba6861b0..f05bb88864 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/en.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/en.ts
@@ -583,6 +583,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "Server",
   "settings.tab.general": "General",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "Shortcuts",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "Appearance",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "System notifications",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/es.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/es.ts
index 50d9060703..cc67f708e1 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/es.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/es.ts
@@ -515,6 +515,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "Servidor",
   "settings.tab.general": "General",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "Atajos",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "Apariencia",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "Notificaciones del sistema",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/fr.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/fr.ts
index 7ad39f3406..ed97d13a6c 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/fr.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/fr.ts
@@ -522,6 +522,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "Serveur",
   "settings.tab.general": "Général",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "Raccourcis",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "Apparence",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "Notifications système",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/ja.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/ja.ts
index a39bfbaf33..6e83c9f03a 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/ja.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/ja.ts
@@ -507,6 +507,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "サーバー",
   "settings.tab.general": "一般",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "ショートカット",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "外観",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "システム通知",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/ko.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/ko.ts
index b5927b2107..73c5a31450 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/ko.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/ko.ts
@@ -513,6 +513,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "서버",
   "settings.tab.general": "일반",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "단축키",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "모양",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "시스템 알림",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/no.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/no.ts
index 7d8cdd27f3..c1e3d27393 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/no.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/no.ts
@@ -515,6 +515,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "Server",
   "settings.tab.general": "Generelt",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "Snarveier",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "Utseende",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "Systemvarsler",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/pl.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/pl.ts
index 76a47ea26f..56ac398125 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/pl.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/pl.ts
@@ -514,6 +514,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "Serwer",
   "settings.tab.general": "Ogólne",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "Skróty",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "Wygląd",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "Powiadomienia systemowe",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/ru.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/ru.ts
index e83ce37618..11fac2644a 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/ru.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/ru.ts
@@ -517,6 +517,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "Сервер",
   "settings.tab.general": "Основные",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "Горячие клавиши",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "Внешний вид",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "Системные уведомления",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/th.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/th.ts
index 2be19d15b1..3ad38cba2a 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/th.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/th.ts
@@ -516,6 +516,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "เซิร์ฟเวอร์",
   "settings.tab.general": "ทั่วไป",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "ทางลัด",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "รูปลักษณ์",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "การแจ้งเตือนระบบ",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/zh.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/zh.ts
index a48f9e5494..10c7642f35 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/zh.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/zh.ts
@@ -548,6 +548,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "服务器",
   "settings.tab.general": "通用",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "快捷键",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "外观",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "系统通知",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/i18n/zht.ts b/packages/app/src/i18n/zht.ts
index 60363fc99e..659b495ac1 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/i18n/zht.ts
+++ b/packages/app/src/i18n/zht.ts
@@ -545,6 +545,11 @@ export const dict = {
   "settings.section.server": "伺服器",
   "settings.tab.general": "一般",
   "settings.tab.shortcuts": "快速鍵",
+  "settings.desktop.section.backend": "Backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.title": "Server backend",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.description": "Choose where the OpenCode server runs.",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.native": "Native (Windows)",
+  "settings.desktop.backend.option.wsl": "WSL (Linux)",
 
   "settings.general.section.appearance": "外觀",
   "settings.general.section.notifications": "系統通知",
diff --git a/packages/app/src/pages/home.tsx b/packages/app/src/pages/home.tsx
index 10f7dac530..c1d0d6ef11 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/pages/home.tsx
+++ b/packages/app/src/pages/home.tsx
@@ -46,7 +46,8 @@ export default function Home() {
       }
     }
 
-    if (platform.openDirectoryPickerDialog && server.isLocal()) {
+    const allowNative = platform.supportsNativePickers?.() !== false
+    if (platform.openDirectoryPickerDialog && server.isLocal() && allowNative) {
       const result = await platform.openDirectoryPickerDialog?.({
         title: language.t("command.project.open"),
         multiple: true,
diff --git a/packages/app/src/pages/layout.tsx b/packages/app/src/pages/layout.tsx
index 59adef4694..1c02d49539 100644
--- a/packages/app/src/pages/layout.tsx
+++ b/packages/app/src/pages/layout.tsx
@@ -1182,7 +1182,8 @@ export default function Layout(props: ParentProps) {
       }
     }
 
-    if (platform.openDirectoryPickerDialog && server.isLocal()) {
+    const allowNative = platform.supportsNativePickers?.() !== false
+    if (platform.openDirectoryPickerDialog && server.isLocal() && allowNative) {
       const result = await platform.openDirectoryPickerDialog?.({
         title: language.t("command.project.open"),
         multiple: true,
diff --git a/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/cli.rs b/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/cli.rs
index 98c38677b4..85adcc6cf6 100644
--- a/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/cli.rs
+++ b/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/cli.rs
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@ use tauri_plugin_shell::{
     ShellExt,
     process::{Command, CommandChild, CommandEvent},
 };
+use tauri_plugin_store::StoreExt;
 
-use crate::{LogState, constants::MAX_LOG_ENTRIES};
+use crate::{LogState, constants::{BACKEND_MODE_KEY, MAX_LOG_ENTRIES, SETTINGS_STORE}};
 
 const CLI_INSTALL_DIR: &str = ".opencode/bin";
 const CLI_BINARY_NAME: &str = "opencode";
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ pub struct Config {
 }
 
 pub async fn get_config(app: &AppHandle) -> Option<Config> {
-    create_command(app, "debug config")
+    create_command(app, "debug config", &[])
         .output()
         .await
         .inspect_err(|e| eprintln!("Failed to read OC config: {e}"))
@@ -150,22 +151,95 @@ fn get_user_shell() -> String {
     std::env::var("SHELL").unwrap_or_else(|_| "/bin/sh".to_string())
 }
 
-pub fn create_command(app: &tauri::AppHandle, args: &str) -> Command {
+fn is_wsl_backend(app: &tauri::AppHandle) -> bool {
+    let Ok(store) = app.store(SETTINGS_STORE) else {
+        return false;
+    };
+
+    store
+        .get(BACKEND_MODE_KEY)
+        .and_then(|value| value.as_str())
+        .is_some_and(|value| value == "wsl")
+}
+
+fn shell_escape(input: &str) -> String {
+    if input.is_empty() {
+        return "''".to_string();
+    }
+
+    let mut escaped = String::from("'");
+    escaped.push_str(&input.replace("'", "'\"'\"'"));
+    escaped.push('\'');
+    escaped
+}
+
+pub fn create_command(app: &tauri::AppHandle, args: &str, extra_env: &[(&str, String)]) -> Command {
     let state_dir = app
         .path()
         .resolve("", BaseDirectory::AppLocalData)
         .expect("Failed to resolve app local data dir");
 
+    let mut envs = vec![
+        ("OPENCODE_EXPERIMENTAL_ICON_DISCOVERY".to_string(), "true".to_string()),
+        ("OPENCODE_EXPERIMENTAL_FILEWATCHER".to_string(), "true".to_string()),
+        ("OPENCODE_CLIENT".to_string(), "desktop".to_string()),
+        ("XDG_STATE_HOME".to_string(), state_dir.to_string_lossy().to_string()),
+    ];
+    envs.extend(extra_env.iter().map(|(key, value)| (key.to_string(), value.clone())));
+
     #[cfg(target_os = "windows")]
-    return app
+    if is_wsl_backend(app) {
+        let version = app.package_info().version.to_string();
+        let mut script = vec![
+            "set -e".to_string(),
+            "BIN=\"$HOME/.opencode/bin/opencode\"".to_string(),
+            "if [ ! -x \"$BIN\" ]; then".to_string(),
+            format!(
+                "  curl -fsSL https://opencode.ai/install | bash -s -- --version {} --no-modify-path",
+                shell_escape(&version)
+            ),
+            "fi".to_string(),
+        ];
+
+        let mut env_prefix = vec![
+            "OPENCODE_EXPERIMENTAL_ICON_DISCOVERY=true".to_string(),
+            "OPENCODE_EXPERIMENTAL_FILEWATCHER=true".to_string(),
+            "OPENCODE_CLIENT=desktop".to_string(),
+            "XDG_STATE_HOME=\"$HOME/.local/state\"".to_string(),
+        ];
+        env_prefix.extend(
+            envs
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|(key, _)| key != "OPENCODE_EXPERIMENTAL_ICON_DISCOVERY")
+                .filter(|(key, _)| key != "OPENCODE_EXPERIMENTAL_FILEWATCHER")
+                .filter(|(key, _)| key != "OPENCODE_CLIENT")
+                .filter(|(key, _)| key != "XDG_STATE_HOME")
+                .map(|(key, value)| format!("{}={}", key, shell_escape(value))),
+        );
+
+        script.push(format!(
+            "{} exec \"$BIN\" {}",
+            env_prefix.join(" "),
+            args
+        ));
+
+        return app
+            .shell()
+            .command("wsl")
+            .args(["-e", "bash", "-lc", &script.join("\n")]);
+    }
+
+    let mut cmd = app
         .shell()
         .sidecar("opencode-cli")
         .unwrap()
-        .args(args.split_whitespace())
-        .env("OPENCODE_EXPERIMENTAL_ICON_DISCOVERY", "true")
-        .env("OPENCODE_EXPERIMENTAL_FILEWATCHER", "true")
-        .env("OPENCODE_CLIENT", "desktop")
-        .env("XDG_STATE_HOME", &state_dir);
+        .args(args.split_whitespace());
+
+    for (key, value) in envs {
+        cmd = cmd.env(key, value);
+    }
+
+    return cmd;
 
     #[cfg(not(target_os = "windows"))]
     return {
@@ -178,13 +252,15 @@ pub fn create_command(app: &tauri::AppHandle, args: &str) -> Command {
             format!("\"{}\" {}", sidecar.display(), args)
         };
 
-        app.shell()
+        let mut cmd = app.shell()
             .command(&shell)
-            .env("OPENCODE_EXPERIMENTAL_ICON_DISCOVERY", "true")
-            .env("OPENCODE_EXPERIMENTAL_FILEWATCHER", "true")
-            .env("OPENCODE_CLIENT", "desktop")
-            .env("XDG_STATE_HOME", &state_dir)
-            .args(["-il", "-c", &cmd])
+            .args(["-il", "-c", &cmd]);
+
+        for (key, value) in envs {
+            cmd = cmd.env(key, value);
+        }
+
+        cmd
     };
 }
 
@@ -194,12 +270,16 @@ pub fn serve(app: &AppHandle, hostname: &str, port: u32, password: &str) -> Comm
 
     println!("spawning sidecar on port {port}");
 
+    let envs = [
+        ("OPENCODE_SERVER_USERNAME", "opencode".to_string()),
+        ("OPENCODE_SERVER_PASSWORD", password.to_string()),
+    ];
+
     let (mut rx, child) = create_command(
         app,
         format!("serve --hostname {hostname} --port {port}").as_str(),
+        &envs,
     )
-    .env("OPENCODE_SERVER_USERNAME", "opencode")
-    .env("OPENCODE_SERVER_PASSWORD", password)
     .spawn()
     .expect("Failed to spawn opencode");
 
diff --git a/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/constants.rs b/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/constants.rs
index ac3e1d02ad..8340cf5326 100644
--- a/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/constants.rs
+++ b/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/constants.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ use tauri_plugin_window_state::StateFlags;
 
 pub const SETTINGS_STORE: &str = "opencode.settings.dat";
 pub const DEFAULT_SERVER_URL_KEY: &str = "defaultServerUrl";
+pub const BACKEND_MODE_KEY: &str = "serverBackendMode";
 pub const UPDATER_ENABLED: bool = option_env!("TAURI_SIGNING_PRIVATE_KEY").is_some();
 pub const MAX_LOG_ENTRIES: usize = 200;
 
diff --git a/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/lib.rs b/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
index 14105e5dd3..382cd18a54 100644
--- a/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
+++ b/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
@@ -209,6 +209,8 @@ pub fn run() {
             await_initialization,
             server::get_default_server_url,
             server::set_default_server_url,
+            server::get_backend_config,
+            server::set_backend_config,
             markdown::parse_markdown_command,
             check_app_exists
         ])
diff --git a/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/server.rs b/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/server.rs
index 2a78411a43..7cfb1bdccc 100644
--- a/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/server.rs
+++ b/packages/desktop/src-tauri/src/server.rs
@@ -8,9 +8,38 @@ use tokio::task::JoinHandle;
 
 use crate::{
     cli,
-    constants::{DEFAULT_SERVER_URL_KEY, SETTINGS_STORE},
+    constants::{BACKEND_MODE_KEY, DEFAULT_SERVER_URL_KEY, SETTINGS_STORE},
 };
 
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize, specta::Type, Debug)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
+pub enum BackendMode {
+    Native,
+    Wsl,
+}
+
+impl BackendMode {
+    fn as_str(&self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            BackendMode::Native => "native",
+            BackendMode::Wsl => "wsl",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize, specta::Type, Debug)]
+pub struct BackendConfig {
+    pub mode: BackendMode,
+}
+
+impl Default for BackendConfig {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            mode: BackendMode::Native,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[tauri::command]
 #[specta::specta]
 pub fn get_default_server_url(app: AppHandle) -> Result<Option<String>, String> {
@@ -48,6 +77,44 @@ pub async fn set_default_server_url(app: AppHandle, url: Option<String>) -> Resu
     Ok(())
 }
 
+#[tauri::command]
+#[specta::specta]
+pub fn get_backend_config(app: AppHandle) -> Result<BackendConfig, String> {
+    let store = app
+        .store(SETTINGS_STORE)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to open settings store: {}", e))?;
+
+    let mode = store
+        .get(BACKEND_MODE_KEY)
+        .and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+        .map(|v| match v {
+            "wsl" => BackendMode::Wsl,
+            _ => BackendMode::Native,
+        })
+        .unwrap_or(BackendMode::Native);
+
+    Ok(BackendConfig { mode })
+}
+
+#[tauri::command]
+#[specta::specta]
+pub fn set_backend_config(app: AppHandle, config: BackendConfig) -> Result<(), String> {
+    let store = app
+        .store(SETTINGS_STORE)
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to open settings store: {}", e))?;
+
+    store.set(
+        BACKEND_MODE_KEY,
+        serde_json::Value::String(config.mode.as_str().to_string()),
+    );
+
+    store
+        .save()
+        .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to save settings: {}", e))?;
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 pub async fn get_saved_server_url(app: &tauri::AppHandle) -> Option<String> {
     if let Some(url) = get_default_server_url(app.clone()).ok().flatten() {
         println!("Using desktop-specific custom URL: {url}");
diff --git a/packages/desktop/src/index.tsx b/packages/desktop/src/index.tsx
index cf007bdd3c..70fc941b73 100644
--- a/packages/desktop/src/index.tsx
+++ b/packages/desktop/src/index.tsx
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import { initI18n, t } from "./i18n"
 import pkg from "../package.json"
 import "./styles.css"
 import { commands, InitStep } from "./bindings"
-import { Channel } from "@tauri-apps/api/core"
+import { Channel, invoke } from "@tauri-apps/api/core"
 import { createMenu } from "./menu"
 
 const root = document.getElementById("root")
@@ -51,7 +51,18 @@ const listenForDeepLinks = async () => {
   await onOpenUrl((urls) => emitDeepLinks(urls)).catch(() => undefined)
 }
 
-const createPlatform = (password: Accessor<string | null>): Platform => ({
+type BackendConfig = {
+  mode: "native" | "wsl"
+}
+
+const defaultBackend: BackendConfig = { mode: "native" }
+
+const createPlatform = (
+  password: Accessor<string | null>,
+  backend: Accessor<BackendConfig>,
+  setBackend: (next: BackendConfig) => void,
+  fetchBackend: () => Promise<BackendConfig | null>,
+): Platform => ({
   platform: "desktop",
   os: (() => {
     const type = ostype()
@@ -61,6 +72,7 @@ const createPlatform = (password: Accessor<string | null>): Platform => ({
   version: pkg.version,
 
   async openDirectoryPickerDialog(opts) {
+    if (backend().mode === "wsl") return null
     const result = await open({
       directory: true,
       multiple: opts?.multiple ?? false,
@@ -338,6 +350,19 @@ const createPlatform = (password: Accessor<string | null>): Platform => ({
     await commands.setDefaultServerUrl(url)
   },
 
+  getBackendConfig: async () => {
+    const next = await fetchBackend()
+    if (next) return next
+    return backend()
+  },
+
+  setBackendConfig: async (config: BackendConfig) => {
+    setBackend(config)
+    await invoke("set_backend_config", { config }).catch(() => undefined)
+  },
+
+  supportsNativePickers: () => backend().mode !== "wsl",
+
   parseMarkdown: (markdown: string) => commands.parseMarkdownCommand(markdown),
 
   webviewZoom,
@@ -378,7 +403,16 @@ void listenForDeepLinks()
 
 render(() => {
   const [serverPassword, setServerPassword] = createSignal<string | null>(null)
-  const platform = createPlatform(() => serverPassword())
+  const [backend, setBackend] = createSignal<BackendConfig>(defaultBackend)
+
+  const fetchBackend = async () => {
+    const next = await invoke<BackendConfig>("get_backend_config").catch(() => null)
+    if (!next) return null
+    setBackend(next)
+    return next
+  }
+
+  const platform = createPlatform(() => serverPassword(), backend, setBackend, fetchBackend)
 
   function handleClick(e: MouseEvent) {
     const link = (e.target as HTMLElement).closest("a.external-link") as HTMLAnchorElement | null
@@ -390,6 +424,7 @@ render(() => {
 
   onMount(() => {
     document.addEventListener("click", handleClick)
+    void fetchBackend()
     onCleanup(() => {
       document.removeEventListener("click", handleClick)
     })