NM-OS is a desktop operating system designed for everyone — not just technical users.
It works out of the box, gets out of your way, and lets you go as deep as you want when you're ready. Whether you want a quiet daily computer or a hardened private workspace, NM-OS grows with you.
- Write documents, spreadsheets, and presentations (LibreOffice included)
- Browse the web, check email, watch videos
- Organize your photos and listen to music
- Keep your files safe with an encrypted vault
- Switch to a more private or focused mode in seconds — and switch back just as easily
- Customize everything: colors, fonts, wallpaper, layout, animations
Anyone. There is no "correct" type of user.
A student can use it for homework and switch to a distraction-free mode during exams. A small business owner can use it for everyday office tasks. A journalist or researcher can activate stronger privacy when it matters. A developer can go deep into system settings and security policies.
None of these people need to be different kinds of users. They are all the same person at different moments — and NM-OS lets them switch modes without switching computers.
NM-OS gives you four protection levels, which you can switch between at any time:
| Level | What it means |
|---|---|
| Relaxed | Easiest to use. Great for trusted home networks. |
| Balanced | Recommended default. Private and practical. |
| Hardened | Stronger daily protection with a little less convenience. |
| Maximum | Highest practical restriction. For sensitive situations. |
Every setting inside each level can also be turned on or off individually. Profiles are a starting point, not a lock.
Today the repository builds:
- a bootable installer ISO
- an installed-system overlay archive
- installer assets
The installed system includes:
- a setup assistant that runs before login
- a desktop control center
- productivity apps (office, browser, media, photos)
- an encrypted vault for sensitive files
- network modes: direct, Tor-first, or offline
- a rich personalization system: themes, fonts, wallpaper, density, motion
- Debian-installer-based media for VM and hardware testing
The default profile is Balanced.
The computer works for the user, not the other way around. Every feature must be understandable, reachable, and reversible.
Users are not categorized. Anyone can switch from a comfortable desktop to maximum security and back again — quickly, visibly, and without losing their previous state.
No feature is hidden. Security controls are always reachable. But nothing is mandatory beyond choosing a language and a starting profile.
When NM-OS restricts something, it says so clearly. Users see what changed, why it changed, and what they give up or gain.
Start with zero configuration. Go as deep as you want. The same platform serves a first-time Linux user and an experienced system administrator.
apps/— Python applications and servicesbuild/— build entry points and artifact verification helpersconfig/system-overlay/— runtime overlay content for the installed systemconfig/installer/— installer scaffoldingconfig/system-packages/— target runtime package manifestsconfig/installer-packages/— installer-side package manifeststests/— smoke and Python validationdocs/— product direction, security model, build and install guides
.\build\install-deps.ps1
.\build\build.ps1./build/build.shOptional Brave-aware overlay:
NMOS_ENABLE_BRAVE=1 ./build/build.shThe safest way to evaluate NM-OS is inside a virtual machine.
- Build the installer ISO from this repo.
- Boot the ISO in VirtualBox, QEMU, VMware, or another VM.
- Choose
Install NM-OS. - Finish the install flow.
- Reboot and test the setup assistant, apps, vault, and control center.
Install details: docs/installation.md
- User experience guide
- Product direction
- Implementation plan additions
- Security model
- Security profiles
- Runtime notes
- Build notes
- Installation notes
- Translation guide
- Windows + WSL2 workflow
- Independence program
This is still alpha software. Not finished yet:
- a release-grade update flow
- full per-app permission editing
- release-grade hardware validation
- a fully independent base platform beyond the current Debian-backed layer
NM-OS is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later.