170 lines
4.6 KiB
Markdown
170 lines
4.6 KiB
Markdown
# SkyOS
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A BeOS-inspired Linux desktop built from scratch in C. Custom window manager, deskbar, launcher, GTK theme, and graphical installer — all running on Arch Linux with a bootable ISO.
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---
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## What it is
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SkyOS is a complete desktop environment built on X11/Xlib with a distinctive dark blue aesthetic. It ships as a bootable ISO you can try live or install to disk.
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**Components**
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| Component | Description |
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|-----------|-------------|
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| `skywm` | Stacking window manager — titlebars, 3-button close/maximize/minimize, snap-to-edge, double-click maximize |
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| `skydeskbar` | Sidebar panel — clock, date, task list, CPU/RAM/battery status |
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| `skylauncher` | App launcher — keyboard-driven grid of application shortcuts |
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| `skyinstall-gui` | Graphical installer wizard — disk selection, user setup, live progress |
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| `SkyOS GTK theme` | Matching dark theme for GTK 2/3 apps |
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---
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## Building the ISO
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**Requirements:** Docker Desktop (Mac/Windows/Linux)
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```bash
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./build-iso.sh
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```
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Output: `dist/skyos-YYYYMMDD.iso`
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The build runs entirely inside a Docker container — no Arch Linux install required on the host. First build downloads ~600 MB of packages and takes 10–20 minutes. Subsequent builds are fast thanks to Docker layer caching.
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### What the build does
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1. Starts from the official `archlinux:latest` Docker image
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2. Installs `archiso` and build tools
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3. Builds the SkyOS binaries (`skywm`, `skydeskbar`, `skylauncher`, `skyinstall-gui`)
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4. Assembles an archiso profile with the full package set
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5. Produces a hybrid ISO that boots on both UEFI and legacy BIOS hardware
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---
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## Flashing to USB
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**Balena Etcher (recommended):** https://etcher.balena.io — drag the ISO, pick the USB, flash.
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**Command line (Mac/Linux):**
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```bash
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# Find your USB drive first
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diskutil list # macOS
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lsblk # Linux
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# Flash (replace diskN / sdX)
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sudo dd if=dist/skyos-*.iso of=/dev/diskN bs=4m # macOS
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sudo dd if=dist/skyos-*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M # Linux
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```
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---
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## Booting
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Boot from the USB. SkyOS starts the live desktop automatically — no login required (user: `sky`, password: `skyos`).
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**Intel Mac notes:**
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- Hold `Option` at startup to select the USB boot device
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- WiFi uses the `broadcom-wl` driver (loaded automatically)
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- Trackpad: tap-to-click and two-finger scroll are enabled by default
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- Audio uses PipeWire + SOF firmware for Intel HDA
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---
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## Installing to disk
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Click **Install SkyOS** in the launcher, or run `sudo skyinstall-gui` from a terminal.
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The graphical installer walks through:
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1. Disk selection (shows all disks ≥ 4 GB with model and size)
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2. Hostname, username, and password
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3. Review screen with erase warning
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4. Live installation with progress bar and log
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5. Reboot
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The installer auto-detects UEFI vs legacy BIOS and sets up the appropriate bootloader (`systemd-boot` for UEFI, `GRUB` for BIOS).
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---
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## Included software
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| Category | Applications |
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|----------|-------------|
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| Browser | Firefox |
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| Office | OnlyOffice |
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| Files | Thunar |
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| Terminal | XTerm |
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| Video | mpv |
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| Images | Viewnior |
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| PDF | Evince |
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| Text editor | Mousepad |
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| Audio | PipeWire, pavucontrol |
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| Network | NetworkManager, nm-applet |
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| Bluetooth | bluez, blueman |
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| Compositor | picom (GLX, xrender fallback) |
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| Notifications | dunst |
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---
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## Building from source (without Docker)
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Requires an Arch Linux system with `libx11`, `libxft`, `fontconfig` development headers.
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```bash
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make # build all components
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make install # install to /usr/local (run as root)
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```
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Individual components:
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```bash
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make -C wm # skywm
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make -C deskbar # skydeskbar
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make -C launcher # skylauncher
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make -C installer # skyinstall-gui
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```
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---
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## Project layout
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```
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OS/
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├── wm/ skywm window manager (C/Xlib)
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├── deskbar/ skydeskbar panel (C/Xlib/Xft)
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├── launcher/ skylauncher app grid (C/Xlib/Xft)
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├── installer/ skyinstall-gui + skyinstall backend
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├── themes/
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│ ├── SkyOS/ GTK 2/3 theme
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│ ├── picom.conf compositor config
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│ └── skywallpaper wallpaper setter
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├── iso/
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│ └── docker/ Dockerfile + entrypoint.sh (ISO builder)
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├── build-iso.sh one-command ISO build script
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└── Makefile
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```
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---
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## Keyboard shortcuts
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| Shortcut | Action |
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|----------|--------|
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| `Alt + F1` | Open launcher |
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| `Alt + F4` | Close window |
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| `Alt + F10` | Toggle maximize |
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| `Super + ←` | Snap window left |
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| `Super + →` | Snap window right |
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| `Alt + drag` | Move window |
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| `XF86MonBrightness↑↓` | Screen brightness |
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| `XF86Audio*` | Volume / mute |
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---
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## License
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MIT
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