AiryxOS™ is a new open-source desktop operating system that aims to provide a similar experience and compatibiilty with macOS® on x86-64 systems. It builds on the solid foundations of FreeBSD, existing open source packages in the same space, and new code to fill the gaps. Airyx aims to feel sleek, stable, familiar and intuitive, handle your daily tasks, and provide as much compatibility as possible with the commercial OS that inspired it.
AiryxOS puts system things mainly into /System, /Library, and /usr. The /usr/local tree is reserved for user additions (like FreeBSD packages). User home directories are appropriately under /Users, and each has a ~/Library folder for Cocoa apps to use. Zsh is the default system shell.
Properly packaged applications will typically live under /Applications or ~/Applications and are built as a .app Bundle or as an AppImage. These types of applications are self-contained, do not usually need installers or de-installers, and can be moved around the filesystem without breaking. Traditional Unix-like applications are installed into fixed directories as usual.
AiryxOS provides an implementation of Cocoa (still incomplete) and modern Objective-C runtime installed into /System/Library/Frameworks. It also provides a growing list of Mac-compatible APIs such as LaunchServices, Grand Central Dispatch, XPC, and compatibility with Mach 3.0 system calls (0.4pre1+) and C functions. There is a growing list of compatible commands as well, such as open and launchctl. From 0.4pre1 onwards, launchd is the system init (PID 1) and some services now run as LaunchDaemons and LaunchAgents.
The system compilers and linkers have been patched to support Frameworks, and the standard -F and -framework arguments work as expected. Support for XCode project files is planned, but BSD-style Makefiles are available today to easily build .app and .framework Bundles. Java 17 is available in /Library/Java. Swift is also on the roadmap.
The desktop environment (currently based on parts of KDE 5) and system applications (Filer, Dock, global menu system, default app bundles, etc) are being carefully designed to fit well together and provide consistency and a familiar look & feel.
AiryxOS is still very early in development but is progressing fast and becoming more usable every day. If this sounds like your dream system, please join us to help make it a reality!
Apps
We’ve got your apps covered.All of your FreeBSD ports and apps, Linux apps, and even trivial Darwin & macOS binaries can now run on airyxOS. And we’re actively working on improving it!
airyxOS, Always
We're building familiar apps native to airyxOS, packaged as portable .app bundles and built with our core technologies of Cocoa, Qt, and Mach. These are guaranteed to work and fit seamlessly into your desktop.FreeBSD, Mostly
Most FreeBSD ports and packages continue to work on airyxOS right out of the box.Linux, Sometimes
Many Linux applications are expected to work with FreeBSD’s emulation layer.Cocoa, May Be
Trivial macOS and Darwin applications may run directly on airyxOS with our in-development Translator. AppKit-based source code may build and run natively.
Get Involved
Don’t be shy, come talk.Link for Download: https://airyx.org/
