StrataOS

StrataOS

A stable immutable foundation with freedom above it

Download How to install

x86_64 · UEFI · development preview

About

StrataOS is built on GNOME OS. The base system is a read-only image that updates as one piece, and everything you add lives on top of it.

GNOME, as it ships

A normal GNOME desktop with StrataOS colors and wallpapers. Nothing else changed.

Read-only base

The system image cannot be changed by apps or by accident. Your home folder and settings are kept apart from it.

Apps and tools

Apps come from Flatpak and Flathub. Command line tools come from Nix. System extensions add the rest.

Safe updates

Each update is signed and goes into a second slot. If it does not boot, the previous version starts instead.

Install

Before you start

  • A 64-bit PC with UEFI. Secure Boot and a TPM 2.0 chip are recommended.
  • A USB stick of at least 8 GB. It will be erased.
  • The whole target disk. StrataOS does not dual boot yet.
  • A backup of anything you care about. This is a development preview.

  1. Download

    Get the latest ISO. Older builds are in /iso/.

  2. Check the download

    Optional, but a good idea. Get SHA256SUMS, SHA256SUMS.gpg and the signing key, then run:

    gpg --import strataos-release.pub.asc
gpg --verify SHA256SUMS.gpg SHA256SUMS
sha256sum --ignore-missing -c SHA256SUMS

    Key fingerprint: 884C 3F17 4DC2 452B B936 C411 BC61 45A6 F941 7BFF

  3. Write it to USB

    Use Fedora Media Writer or GNOME Disks (Restore Disk Image). On the command line:

    sudo dd if=strataos-latest-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync

    Replace /dev/sdX with your USB stick. Check twice.

  4. Boot and install

    Start the PC from the USB stick, usually with F12, F8 or Esc at power on. Pick the disk in the installer and follow the steps. The GNOME OS install notes apply here too.

Using it

Apps

Open Software to install apps from Flathub, or use flatpak install flathub <app>.

Command line tools

Nix is ready to use: nix profile install nixpkgs#htop. Tools go in your profile, not in the base.

Updates

Strata Center checks for updates and tells you when one is important. You can also run updatectl update.

Going back

Hold Space during boot to open the menu and pick the previous version.

Most things work the same as on GNOME OS. See the GNOME OS site and the GNOME help pages for the desktop itself.

Help and links