StrataOS

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.

The StrataOS GNOME desktop in the Activities overview — The GNOME desktop with the StrataOS wallpaper, in the Activities overview.

Strata Center home page on the StrataOS desktop — Strata Center: updates, drivers, software bundles and Nix packages in one place.

Strata Center first login tour — A short tour on first login helps with the first settings.

GNOME, as it ships

A normal GNOME desktop with StrataOS colors and wallpapers, plus Strata Center for updates, drivers and extras.

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.

Nix on StrataOS

The base system stays read-only, so command line tools come from Nix instead of a system package manager. Nix comes set up and ready to use.

Over 100,000 packages

Anything in nixpkgs works: compilers, language runtimes, editors, CLI tools.

Per user

Packages go into your own profile. Nothing touches the base, and removing them leaves no trace.

Survives updates

The Nix store lives outside the system image, so OS updates and rollbacks keep your tools.

From Strata Center

Prefer clicking? The Nix Packages page in Strata Center can search, install and remove for you.

nix search nixpkgs ripgrep
nix profile install nixpkgs#ripgrep
nix profile list
nix profile remove ripgrep
nix shell nixpkgs#python3

nix shell gives you a tool for one session only, without installing it. More in the Nix manual.

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.

Download

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

Use Nix, see Nix on StrataOS above.

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.