Attention

PotatoOS is currently in early alpha and is not available for download. Features and APIs documented here are subject to change.

Features

PotatoOS isn’t a traditional operating system, which allows it to offer a distinct set of features focused on portability, simplicity, and safety. Our unique architecture, built on the Godot Engine and powered by the STARCH language, delivers capabilities that differentiate us from conventional OS installations.

Platform & Portability

These features stem directly from the Parasite OS architecture:

  • Extreme Portability: PotatoOS runs wherever the underlying Godot Engine can run (Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, etc.). There are no complex bootloaders or virtualization requirements.

  • Simple Installation: Installation is reduced to running a single application on the host system. This makes PotatoOS quick to set up, easy to update, and simple to remove.

  • Safety and Isolation: By executing within the confines of a host application sandbox, PotatoOS cannot directly access or corrupt the host system’s kernel or core files, offering an inherent layer of security.

  • Host System Integration: PotatoOS safely interacts with the host machine’s file system and peripherals, allowing users to access their existing data and hardware from within the PotatoOS environment.

The STARCH & Mash Ecosystem

These features highlight the core developer and user tools:

  • Native STARCH API: The STARCH language is tightly integrated, providing a single, high-level programming interface (the STARCH System Calls) that translates complex OS tasks (like I/O and process management) into simple function calls.

  • Modern Language Design: STARCH provides a familiar, C-styled syntax that is optimized for lightweight scripting within the OS environment.

  • The Mash Shell: A powerful command-line interface intended for power users. It will feature familiar Bash-like syntax while leveraging STARCH scripting for advanced automation and system configuration.

  • Integrated Development Environment: PotatoOS is planned to ship with everything needed to immediately start writing, testing, and running native STARCH applications.

User Experience

These are the expected qualities of the user interface:

  • Consistent Window Management: A dedicated graphical environment for managing multiple application windows and views.

  • Virtual File System: A logical, familiar Unix-like file structure (e.g., /home, /bin) that abstracts and maps cleanly to the host’s actual storage locations.

  • Intuitive Configuration: Simple tools or accessible configuration files for customizing the look, feel, and functionality of the OS.