Sculpt OS release 26.04 Apr 30, 2026

Sculpt OS 26.04 gives the user unprecedented transparency and interactive control over all components underpinning the operating system.

Version 26.04 of the Genode-based general-purpose OS lays all building blocks of the operating system into the hands of the user, including all formerly hard-wired components. It invites the user to explore, customize, and restructure the system architecture on the fly. Right after booting the new version, one is presented with all the running components ready to be (literally) touched, controlled, and extended.

Below the surface of the administrative user interface, a major paradigm shift awaits the user when risking a look under the hood. The system no longer processes configuration data as mere input to its internal data model but it exposes the data model directly to the user. Thereby Sculpt OS not only lays the entire construction plan of the system into your hands for inspection but the construction plan is live! Any change takes immediate effect and the wiring between all components can be changed at will on the fly. This gives a unique blend of interactivity with the comforts of a declarative way of life.

Speaking of the construction plan, by leveraging Genode's human-inclined data format, the inter-relationships of all building blocks as well as any state reported by components are now presented in a human-digestible way unclouded by syntactic noise, fostering clarity and understanding all the way down.

Regarding technical advances of the new version and device support in particular, all Linux-based drivers have been updated to kernel version 6.18, making the system compatible with most modern Intel-PC hardware. Laptop users may appreciate the new USB networking option that is now offered by default.

Software-wise, the new version comes with a longed-after update of Qt6 along with the Chromium-based Falkon browser, downloadable at the depot of cproc. In the same menu, one can find the experimental first version of the Goa SDK running natively on Sculpt OS without the need of a Linux VM. For the first time, Genode components can now be developed, compiled, and tested using Sculpt OS on its own. The amazement of walking without crutches.

Sculpt OS 26.04 is available as ready-to-use system image for PC hardware, the PinePhone, and the MNT Reform laptop at the Sculpt download page accompanied with updated documentation.

Genode OS Framework release 26.02 Feb 26, 2026

Version 26.02 replaces XML with the custom-designed HID configuration format, completes the first half of the project's migration from GitHub to Codeberg, updates DDE-Linux-based protocol stacks to Linux kernel version 6.18, and further cultivates the genode-world repository as designated place for ported 3rd-party software.

After almost two decades of relying on XML, the framework has now switched to the custom designed human-inclined data (HID) format. Structurally, it mirrors the time-tested concepts of representing data as a hierarchy of nodes where each node can have attributes. Like XML, data can be validated against schema definitions. Syntactically, however, HID promotes calmness and clarity, and specifically fosters the joyful use of text as an interactive user interface of Sculpt OS.

As a second major transition, the release marks the halfway point of the project's migration from GitHub to Codeberg. All source repositories and discussions except for the main repository have been successfully moved over to our new host. This includes the Goa SDK, the genode-world repository, all hardware-specific supplements, and the books. The release documentation linked below provides guidance for users and contributors.

On the technical side, the highlights of the release are the gradual update of our Linux device-driver environment to kernel version 6.18, new input-processing capabilities, and continuous improvements of the Goa SDK.

Please find all the details and background information covered in the release documentation of version 26.02...

Road Map for 2026 Jan 27, 2026

During 2026, we aspire to build bridges connecting Genode with others.

Our past work with 3rd-party software has been mostly motivated by extending the feature set of Genode for the benefit of our users. In 2026, we will shift our perspective, asking how Genode could contribute positively to existing projects by augmenting them. Let's build bridges! Bridges to other open-source projects. Bridges to a variety of programming languages. Bridges to new user demographies. Bridges for the interoperability of applications.

This theme resonated exceptionally well during our annual road-map discussion on our public mailing list. Our updated road map presents the many ideas and ambitions as a rough schedule for the quarterly releases of this year. Look what's coming in 2026 by skimming our official road-map....