ChernOS — NixOS Kiosk ISO

Current version: 2.0.0

This repo builds a bootable ISO that:

• boots into Sway on TTY1
• launches Chromium in kiosk mode
• shows a fictional nuclear reactor control UI (ChernOS Ultra)
• is purely a simulation — no real reactor control

Build locally

Requirements: Nix

nix build .#iso

Electron desktop suite

There is a standalone desktop wrapper under electron/.

cd electron
npm install
npm run start

Developer mode (enables devtools):

npm run dev

Build an installer/package (requires platform-specific tooling):

npm run dist

New in 2.0.0

• Reproducible ISO build via pinned flake.lock (NixOS 24.05).
• Software rendering fallback for Chromium (SwiftShader) when no GPU is detected.
• Fast boot pipeline: quieter boot, 0-second GRUB timeout, reduced systemd overhead.
• Real persistence (overlayfs): optional persistent state via a CHERNOS_PERSIST partition.
• Background music system with UI controls and terminal commands (music on/off, music vol).

Boot theming

• Plymouth splash: ChernOS Nuclear Glow (pulsing reactor ring).
• GRUB theme: Blackchamber background + logo.

Installer

• Launch Calamares from the live session: Ctrl+Alt+I (or Super+I).

Electron Desktop Suite (optional)

The ISO includes an Electron-based desktop shell.

• Launch from Sway: Mod+E (or Ctrl+Alt+E)
• Boot into Electron instead of Chromium:
  • set CHERNOS_SHELL=electron at boot, or
  • if persistence is enabled, create /persist/chernos-shell with the single word: electron

In Electron mode, Workstation → Multitasking Supervisor can list/focus/close desktop windows and open new app instances.

Documentation

• docs/INSTALL.md — boot/install notes (ISO, Calamares, login)
• docs/PERSISTENCE.md — overlayfs persistence + UI persistence v3
• docs/TROUBLESHOOTING.md — VM + boot troubleshooting
• docs/TERMINAL.md — terminal command reference
• docs/URL_PARAMS.md — query parameters supported by the UI
• docs/HOTKEYS.md — hotkeys + rebinding reference
• docs/ARCHITECTURE.md — repo + runtime architecture
• docs/PLUGINS.md — internal plugin system
• docs/MESSAGE_BUS.md — internal pub/sub bus
• docs/RELEASES.md — CI + release guidance
• electron/README.md — Electron wrapper notes