VitruvianOS 0.3.0: BeOS API on Linux

# VitruvianOS 0.3.0: Linux OS Release with BeOS/Haiku API

VitruvianOS 0.3.0 is a stable public release of an operating system based on Debian/Linux that implements API compatibility with BeOS and Haiku. Launched in 2019, the project brings the responsiveness and simplicity of BeOS to modern hardware using Haiku components in user space and a modified Linux RT kernel. The C++ source code is available on GitHub under GPLv2.

The project's philosophy puts the user first: instead of focusing on services and monetization, it emphasizes real-world tasks. Developers drew inspiration from Vitruvius's principles: beauty, functionality, and structural integrity.

Graphics Stack Without X11 and Wayland

VitruvianOS ditches traditional windowing systems. Graphics are rendered through Haiku's app_server, adapted for Linux KMS/DRM. This delivers the low latency and responsiveness characteristic of BeOS.

The graphics toolkit is Haiku's Interface Kit. In the future, systemd will be replaced by janus_daemon, an analog of Haiku's launch_daemon, for unified initialization.

The libroot library wraps Haiku/BeOS-specific functions over the Linux API. This allows running native BeOS/Haiku applications without porting.

The Nexus subsystem in the kernel implements the Kernel Kit: node_monitor for filesystem monitoring, device tracking, and BeOS-style message passing.

Features Implemented in 0.3.0

The release includes key components for desktop use:

• Boot from XFS and SquashFS with full xattr support;
• Modified Linux RT kernel for improved responsiveness in desktop scenarios;
• BeOS/Haiku API compatibility layer with native app support;
• Deskbar, Tracker, and basic desktop;
• Input system: mouse, gestures, tablets;
• Custom graphics layer without X11/Wayland.

These features enable running legacy BeOS/Haiku apps on a standard Linux kernel without emulation.

Development Plans

The team is focusing on stabilization and expansion:

• 0.3.1: Bug fixes based on feedback, adding missing components;
• 0.3.2: Self-building system without external dependencies;
• 0.4: Stabilization, expanded hardware support, ARM versions (arm32, aarch64).

Nexus development continues for full BeAPI emulation. Users can test on x86_64 with modern GPUs.

Key Points

• API compatibility allows running BeOS/Haiku apps on Linux without recompilation;
• app_server + KMS/DRM provides BeOS responsiveness without X11/Wayland overhead;
• Kernel Nexus implements node_monitor and device monitoring;
• RT kernel optimized for desktop workloads;
• Public GitHub repo under GPLv2 for community contributions.

— Editorial Team