LotusOS

What this is

LotusOS is a custom Debian-based Linux live/installable ISO with a Tauri + React + Rust shell called Lotus Shell. It boots into KDE Plasma, autostarts Lotus Shell, and includes a Calamares installer that has been verified on disposable VirtualBox VDIs. The current preview is a source-and-docs milestone for a local-first workspace OS, not a production hardware release.

Problem it solves

LotusOS explores how to turn a normal Linux base into a focused, calm, local-first workspace OS without writing a custom kernel or bootloader from scratch. Instead of leaving users in a generic desktop with scattered entry points, it adds a first-run home surface, local system context, app launchers, and bounded project and resource areas on top of a standard Debian + KDE base.

Demo

Screenshots

Screenshot	Evidence
Live desktop
Home dashboard
Settings overview
Installer completion

Installed-system boot, SDDM, and post-login Lotus Shell were manually verified for Phase 5F, but no additional installed-desktop screenshot is curated in this README set.

How it works and how to use

1. Build the ISO through Debian live-build.
2. Boot the ISO in VirtualBox.
3. KDE Plasma starts in the live session.
4. Lotus Shell autostarts.
5. Calamares can install the image to a disposable VDI.
6. The installed system boots into SDDM and Plasma.
7. Lotus Shell autostarts again after installed login.

Features

• Debian-based live ISO
• KDE Plasma desktop
• Lotus Shell autostart
• Polished Home dashboard
• Read-only system snapshot
• Settings system overview
• Local app launcher surface
• Local resource and project cards
• Calamares installer integration
• Disposable VDI install verification
• Local-first scope
• No bundled AI credentials

Tech stack and architecture

flowchart TD
    A[Debian live-build] --> B[LotusOS ISO]
    B --> C[KDE Plasma live session]
    C --> D[Lotus Shell autostart]
    D --> E[Tauri shell]
    E --> F[React UI]
    E --> G[Rust backend commands]
    B --> H[Calamares installer]
    H --> I[Disposable VDI install]
    I --> J[Installed LotusOS desktop]

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• Debian live-build
• KDE Plasma
• Calamares
• Tauri
• React
• TypeScript
• Rust
• VirtualBox verification

Detailed setup instructions

Prerequisites

Use Linux or WSL2 Ubuntu for ISO work. The OS build scripts are Bash scripts and are not intended to run directly in PowerShell.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install live-build qemu-system-x86 xorriso isolinux syslinux-common squashfs-tools
sudo apt install nodejs npm cargo rustc libgtk-3-dev libwebkit2gtk-4.1-dev librsvg2-dev

If the distro Rust toolchain is too old for the Tauri packaging path, install a current stable Rust toolchain with rustup.

Clone the repo

git clone https://github.com/ChimdumebiNebolisa/LotusOS.git
cd LotusOS

Shell dependency install

cd shell/lotus-shell
npm install

Local shell build

cd shell/lotus-shell
npm run build

Tauri build and checks

cd shell/lotus-shell/src-tauri
cargo check
cd ..
npm run tauri build -- --no-bundle

ISO build from WSL/Linux

Repository-root dependency check:

bash os/scripts/build-iso.sh --check

Build the ISO:

bash os/scripts/build-iso.sh

WSL root build with user rustup paths exported:

wsl.exe -u root -- /usr/bin/bash -c 'export CARGO_HOME=/home/<user>/.cargo RUSTUP_HOME=/home/<user>/.rustup PATH="/home/<user>/.cargo/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin"; cd /mnt/c/Users/Chimdumebi/LotusOS && bash os/scripts/build-iso.sh'

ISO content verification

wsl.exe -u root -- /usr/bin/bash os/scripts/verify-iso-contents.sh

VirtualBox boot testing

Primary supported VirtualBox lane:

• OS type: Debian 64-bit
• RAM: 4096 MB
• CPUs: 2
• VRAM: 128 MB
• Graphics controller: VMSVGA
• 3D acceleration: on

Optional QEMU smoke boot:

bash os/scripts/test-qemu.sh artifacts/lotusos-amd64.iso

Testing

• cd shell/lotus-shell && npm run build
• cd shell/lotus-shell/src-tauri && cargo check
• cd shell/lotus-shell && npm run tauri build -- --no-bundle
• wsl.exe -u root -- /usr/bin/bash os/scripts/verify-iso-contents.sh
• VirtualBox live ISO verification
• Disposable VDI install verification

Known limitations

• VirtualBox graphics and session instability has appeared in some timed runs, even in the supported VMSVGA + 3D on lane.
• Hardware installation is not verified.
• ISO and VDI artifacts are not committed to git.
• AI Hub is placeholder/local-first only.
• No cloud sync or auth.
• No production release guarantees.
• Phase 5F installed-system verification is manually verified after an automated Calamares run was blocked by a live-session lock.

License

MIT. See LICENSE.