COSMIC (desktop environment)

COSMIC

The first alpha release, showcasing various apps
Original author(s)	System76
Developer(s)	System76
Stable release	epoch-1.0.0-alpha.5[1]
Repository	github.com/pop-os/cosmic-epoch
Written in	Rust
Operating system	Unix, Unix-like
Platform	Wayland
Type	Desktop environment
License	GPL-3.0-or-later[2]
Website	system76.com/cosmic

COSMIC, an acronym for Computer Operating System Main Interface Components[3], is a free and open-source desktop environment for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems.[4][5]

COSMIC was originally the name of a modified version of GNOME made specifically for Pop!_OS. It is now a standalone desktop environment built from scratch.[6][7]

History

System76 announced in 2021 that it would be creating a new desktop environment that is not based on any existing desktop environment. This desktop environment would be written in Rust and developed to be similar to GNOME. System76 cites limitations with GNOME extensions, as well as disagreements with GNOME developers on the desktop experience, as reasons to build a new desktop environment.[8]

The first alpha release, branded as "Epoch," released on August 8, 2024.[6]

The second Epoch alpha released on September 24, 2024.[9] It added more pages to the settings application which was unfinished in the first alpha, as well as several more features for the file manager.[10]

The third alpha released on October 31, 2024. This release introduced multiple connectivity features, including the ability to connect to wireless networks and Bluetooth devices from the built-in COSMIC Settings application.[11]

The fourth alpha released on December 4, 2024, introducing region and language settings, COSMIC Store improvements, and accessibility features.^[specify][12][13]

The fifth alpha released on January 9, 2025, adding a Users page to the settings application, and some minor UI improvements. It also introduced a media player.[14]

Features

Main article: Pop! OS § Features

COSMIC is made from scratch and is not based on any existing desktop environment.[6] It features a custom theming system, utilizes the Rust-based iced graphics toolkit, streamlined window tiling, and its own applications (a text editor, a terminal emulator, a file manager, a settings application, an app store, and a media player).[15][14]

COSMIC Edit

COSMIC Edit is the built-in text editor. It supports bidirectional text, ligatures, emoji, and more. It also has programming-oriented features such as line highlighting and Git integration.[4]

COSMIC Terminal

COSMIC Terminal is the built-in terminal emulator. It was built using code from the terminal Alacritty and a custom renderer. It supports bidirectional text, theming, and GPU rendering. Furthermore, it also includes a feature that allows users to divide a terminal window into multiple areas.[4]

COSMIC Files

COSMIC Files is the built-in file manager. It includes standard file manager functionality as well as keyboard shortcuts, built-in file archiving functions, and a file preview feature.[10]

COSMIC Media Player

COSMIC Media Player is the default media player. It uses Vulkan for rendering and VA-API for decoding.[14]

References

1. https://github.com/pop-os/cosmic-epoch/releases/tag/epoch-1.0.0-alpha.5. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
2. "Cosmic/LICENSE at master_jammy · pop-os/Cosmic". GitHub.
3. Nestor, Marius (2021-06-29). "Pop!_OS Linux 21.04 Released with the COSMIC Desktop, Based on Ubuntu 21.04". 9to5Linux. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
4. Rudra, Sourav (2024-04-30). "All About the Upcoming Pop!_OS COSMIC Desktop". It's FOSS News. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
5. Larabel, Michael (2024-01-11). "System76's COSMIC Desktop Working Toward Its Alpha Release". Phoronix. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
6. Purdy, Kevin (2024-08-08). "You can kick the alpha tires on System76's Cosmic, a new Linux desktop". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 2024-08-17. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
7. Nestor, Marius (2024-08-08). "System76 Launches Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS with COSMIC Alpha Desktop Environment". 9to5Linux. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
8. Sneddon, Joey (2021-11-09). "Don't Miss: System76 is Building its Own Desktop Environment". OMG Ubuntu. OHSO Media. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
9. Larabel, Michael (2024-09-26). "System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 2 Desktop Packages". www.phoronix.com. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
10. Sneddon, Joey (2024-09-26). "COSMIC DE Alpha 2 Released, This is What's New". OMG! Ubuntu. Archived from the original on 2024-09-27. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
11. "COSMIC Desktop Alpha 3 Released With More Enhancements". www.phoronix.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
12. Borisov, Bobby (2024-12-05). "COSMIC Desktop Alpha 4 Released, Here's What's New". Linuxiac. Archived from the original on 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
13. Larabel, Michael (2024-12-05). "COSMIC Alpha 4 Released For System76's Rust-Based Desktop". Phoronix. Archived from the original on 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
14. Rudra, Sourav (2025-01-10). "COSMIC Alpha 5: The Evolution of System76's Desktop Continues!". It's FOSS News. Archived from the original on 2025-01-10. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
15. Dawe, Liam (2024-08-08). "System76 desktop environment COSMIC alpha now available to try". GamingOnLinux. Archived from the original on 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-17.

External links

• cosmic on GitHub