In case this can help others wanting RStudio desktop on their pixelbooks:
With the new-ish capabilities to install linux apps on pixelbooks using crostini and the dev channel (e.g., here), I wanted to try out RStudio desktop. Using the basic approach of installation, i.e., navigating to the "Linux files" and just running the RStudio .deb, wasn't enough. At best, the RStudio icon would indicate it was starting to open, but never did anything. However, adding the libxslt1-dev package:
sudo apt-get install libxslt1-dev
fixed the issue...RStudio opens, everything appears to work!