COSMIC (desktop environment)

Last updated
COSMIC
Original author(s) System76
Developer(s) System76
Repository github.com/pop-os/cosmic-epoch
Written in Rust
Operating system Unix
Platform Wayland
Type Desktop environment
License GPL-3.0-or-later [1]
Website system76.com/cosmic   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

COSMIC, originally an acronym for Computer Operating System Main Interface Components is an alpha free and open-source desktop environment for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. [2] [3] Originally a modified version of GNOME made for Pop!_OS, it has planned to be a standalone desktop environment from scratch. [4] [5]

Contents

History

System76 stated it will be creating a new desktop environment not based on GNOME. This desktop environment will be written in Rust and developed to be similar to GNOME. System76 cites limitations with GNOME extensions, as well as disagreements with GNOME developers on the desktop experience as reasons to build a new desktop environment. [6]

The first alpha release, branded as "Epoch," released on August 8, 2024. [4]

Features

COSMIC is made from scratch and is not based on any existing desktop environment. [4] It features a custom theming system, streamlined window tiling, and its own applications (a text editor, a terminal emulator, a file manager, a settings application, and an app store). [7]

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References

  1. "Cosmic/LICENSE at master_jammy · pop-os/Cosmic". GitHub .
  2. "All About the Upcoming Pop!_OS COSMIC Desktop". It's FOSS News. 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  3. "System76's COSMIC Desktop Working Toward Its Alpha Release". www.phoronix.com. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  4. 1 2 3 Purdy, Kevin (2024-08-08). "You can kick the alpha tires on System76's Cosmic, a new Linux desktop". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 2024-08-17. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  5. Nestor, Marius (2024-08-08). "System76 Launches Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS with COSMIC Alpha Desktop Environment". 9to5Linux. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  6. Sneddon, Joey (2021-11-09). "Don't Miss: System76 is Building its Own Desktop Environment". OMG! Ubuntu!. OHSO Media. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  7. Dawe, Liam (2024-08-08). "System76 desktop environment COSMIC alpha now available to try". GamingOnLinux. Archived from the original on 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-17.