> The framework aligns the construction principles of L4 with Unix philosophy. In line with Unix philosophy, Genode is a collection of small building blocks, out of which sophisticated systems can be composed. But unlike Unix, those building blocks include not only applications but also all classical OS functionalities including kernels, device drivers, file systems, and protocol stacks.
That's very interesting, but does it actually work in practice?
Genode developer here. Surprised seeing the project at HN, I'm very happy about the interest.
My colleagues and me are indeed using the system on a daily basis. Personally, I'm running it on an Intel-based Gen12 Framework laptop and on an i.MX8-based MNT-Reform laptop.
Earlier this year, I recorded a casual walk-through of the Genode-based Sculpt OS.
> Sculpt is an open-source general-purpose OS. It combines Genode's microkernel architecture, capability-based security, sandboxed device drivers, and virtual machines in a novel operating system for commodity PC hardware and the PinePhone. _Sculpt is used as day-to-day OS by the Genode developers_.
Yes, I recommend putting Sculpt on USB and trying it on a few years old x86 machine (one with decent Linux support). It’s a vision into a completely different computing paradigm, as distinct as Plan 9 or Qubes. If you are interested in OSdev you will be shocked.
Huh. This project is still going strong. I remember playing with it ... 15 years ago, when (IIRC) for some time it was supporting microkernel I was part of the team developing (Codezero).
The Base Platform https://genode.org/documentation/platforms/index mentions mostly microkernels even older than Genode. I wonder how does the microkernel landspace looking now? Is it just done or do people still release interesting new projects nowadays? Do real deployments of Genode use typically Linux due to HW support anyway?
How is RISV support anyway?
Makes me wonder if something like Nix and Genode could be combined for some interesting properties. Reproducible, flexibly nested OSes, etc.
As an observer and occasional Genode user, not a Genode developer, the non-Linux option with the highest development focus is the NOVA microkernel (default for Sculpt OS), with seL4 also receiving a lot of attention. Genode on Linux is most often used for development. I am not clear on the tradeoffs between different kernels but you may ask in the forums if interested. I suspect that the (formally verified) seL4 fully works, but at a performance cost.
Very interesting OS but it is a bit difficult to get my mind around this one as it is so different from any other OS out there. Is there a default option within Sculpt where you can easily get access to a desktop with a app launch option, editors, a browser etc without having to click through a lot of very obscure menus to add components one at a time?
Sculpt OS features a couple of presets, which are examples of several components wired-up for you. For a quick test, enable the "Use" button in the RAM-fs component (so everything will be deployed into RAM) and find the default presets in the "System" menu at the upper left screen corner.
The "Window manager" preset gives you a suitable starting point for a desktop scenario. Or the "Falkon web browser" preset gives you a disposable web browser. Upon selecting a preset, all the needed components will be downloaded and deployed automatically.
Not ideal, but the Sculpt “desktop” is still immature. Genode is primarily a framework for building secure OSes, with Sculpt being a kind of demonstration piece to help devs understand how it works. It’s only recently that the project has had the resources to expand and grow Sculpt usability. I’m hoping they continue this work, as Sculpt has a lot of potential to be a usable and secure desktop OS. The backend is mostly ready, but it lacks UX investment.
It is soo cool.
Had the opportunity to see a demo at last year fossdem, and it blew me away with the level of configurability and seemingly compatibility.
Did work with it a bit. But It does not make practical sense. It might arouse some interest in hobbiests and hardcore geeks, but for real value stuff, no space.
Trying to accomplish something with minimal value on top of it was a total nightmare. Only cons, no pros.
I checked the codee, you are talented guys, move on, stop wasting time.
Hi Sculpt team, I have been watching this project for a long time. I have tried the OS on my MNT Reform. I had some confusions about how to navigate and set specific options . I was thinking a similar interface to a traditional desktop could be helpful in wrapping my head around the features . However, I did not want to impose on your vision if the Sculpt team felt strongly about their current interface. What are your thoughts ?
Oh, that's an interesting idea that could unlock a bunch of potential use cases.
If it's fairly easy to get working as part of a CI pipeline, that would let people and projects automate building their software for it. That'd be super useful for enabling adoption. :)
Readit News
That's very interesting, but does it actually work in practice?
My colleagues and me are indeed using the system on a daily basis. Personally, I'm running it on an Intel-based Gen12 Framework laptop and on an i.MX8-based MNT-Reform laptop.
Earlier this year, I recorded a casual walk-through of the Genode-based Sculpt OS.
https://genodians.org/nfeske/2025-01-30-sculpt-os-walkthroug...
1. Is there going to be a disk image/installer for 25.08, or is that supposed to be self-compiled?
2. Does the OS download missing components on its own or something? The 25.04 image on the website is only 30+ MB.
Thanks!
Dead Comment
> Sculpt is an open-source general-purpose OS. It combines Genode's microkernel architecture, capability-based security, sandboxed device drivers, and virtual machines in a novel operating system for commodity PC hardware and the PinePhone. _Sculpt is used as day-to-day OS by the Genode developers_.
Or to see something recent, there's a developer talk about it (~2 weeks ago) that's pretty informative:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=N624i4X1UDw
The Base Platform https://genode.org/documentation/platforms/index mentions mostly microkernels even older than Genode. I wonder how does the microkernel landspace looking now? Is it just done or do people still release interesting new projects nowadays? Do real deployments of Genode use typically Linux due to HW support anyway?
How is RISV support anyway?
Makes me wonder if something like Nix and Genode could be combined for some interesting properties. Reproducible, flexibly nested OSes, etc.
The "Window manager" preset gives you a suitable starting point for a desktop scenario. Or the "Falkon web browser" preset gives you a disposable web browser. Upon selecting a preset, all the needed components will be downloaded and deployed automatically.
Even though the presets are a convenient starting point, to actually make use of the system, I'm afraid there is no way around studying the documentation: https://genode.org/documentation/articles/sculpt-25-04
Not ideal, but the Sculpt “desktop” is still immature. Genode is primarily a framework for building secure OSes, with Sculpt being a kind of demonstration piece to help devs understand how it works. It’s only recently that the project has had the resources to expand and grow Sculpt usability. I’m hoping they continue this work, as Sculpt has a lot of potential to be a usable and secure desktop OS. The backend is mostly ready, but it lacks UX investment.
Trying to accomplish something with minimal value on top of it was a total nightmare. Only cons, no pros.
I checked the codee, you are talented guys, move on, stop wasting time.
If it's fairly easy to get working as part of a CI pipeline, that would let people and projects automate building their software for it. That'd be super useful for enabling adoption. :)
Deleted Comment