Passed · virtual-machine testing
Desktop fundamentals
Fresh login. Start navigation. Store presentation. Shelf grouping and minimize/restore. Spotlight application launches. Genuine logout and relogin. Normal boot and shutdown.
Glass Squares OS
In development
A more human
computer.
Focused. Calm. Beautiful. Yours.
An independent Linux desktop bringing a distinctive glass interface, familiar controls, and a shared visual language to everyday computing.
First desktop milestone passed in VM testing.
Public release still ahead.
Distinctive
Glass, depth, and a shared visual language.
Familiar
Launch, switch, search. Keep your bearings.
Modular
Connected surfaces. Separately built tools.
Native
Building on Linux, Plasma, and KWin.
Current build state
From concept to a
working desktop.
First desktop milestone passed
The integrated desktop passed its first acceptance milestone in a virtual machine. It is a working development build, not a finished OS or a public beta.
Latest accepted checkpoint ·
- Required runtime checks passed
- 24 / 24
- Visible first-party app launches passed
- 6
- Source tests passed
- 227
Next · not started
System integration
The next shell phase brings deeper work on audio, networking, power, notifications, and session controls. Full application workflows still need broader validation.
Ahead · not yet validated
Hardware & release
This candidate has not completed physical-hardware acceptance. Driver compatibility, release readiness, and public testing remain ahead. No public OS download is available.
Based on the final ae47cf5 acceptance record. Passing this milestone does not establish that every application feature works.
The desktop experience
A first look at the direction.
These are concept previews inspired by the Glass Squares mockups, not screenshots of the current build.
Login
A calm beginning to your session.
Desktop shell
A clear space for the work in front of you.
Start
Your applications, within reach.
Quick settings
System controls, in one place.
One desktop. Distinct parts. Start, Shelf, and Spotlight are evolving as connected native surfaces on the existing Plasma/KWin foundation—not a monolithic replacement compositor.
Core apps · in development
A shared language.
Tools with a purpose.
Welcome, Store, Update, Drive Center, Bridge, and Windows Workspace form the core app family. Each is being developed as its own focused tool.
Welcome
First-run guidance and a way into your desktop.
In developmentStore
Application discovery and clearer software choices.
In developmentUpdate
A dedicated home for system-update information.
In developmentDrive Center
A focused interface for storage and connected drives.
In developmentBridge
Tools for connecting workflows across environments.
In developmentWindows Workspace
A place to develop practical Windows workflow options.
In developmentSix visible launches passed in the accepted VM. Installation, remote updates, storage operations, and Windows compatibility are not implied by a successful launch.
What comes next
Build the experience.
Prove the essentials.
01
Accepted in a VM
Desktop fundamentals
Fresh login, Start, Store, Shelf, Spotlight, and repeat-session behavior.
02
Next phase
Deeper system integration
Audio, network, power, notifications, and session controls. This phase has not started.
03
Still ahead
Hardware & compatibility
Validate this candidate on physical hardware and test complete application workflows.
04
Not yet released
Public preview
Open testing after the relevant quality and release gates pass. No release date announced.
What this checkpoint proves—and what it does not
Tested in the accepted VM
The September 6 acceptance record covers all 24 required runtime checks, 227 source tests, 23 build-input groups, six visible app launches, and seven installed self-tests. Desktop checks included 1920 × 1080 at 100%, 1366 × 768, and 150% scaling. Essential interactions passed with reduced motion.
Known limits
Four utilities retain generic window identities. Full suppression of Start’s custom motion remains unproven. Spotlight has cosmetic glyph-encoding issues, and remote Update checks remain incomplete. VM and platform limitations still apply.
The first disk attempt was interrupted by a builder runtime stall; the recorded recovery reused the validated source and container. Physical-hardware acceptance for this candidate and the next shell phase have not been completed.
Status source: final Glass Shell Slice 1 acceptance record, , source ae47cf5. Artwork on this page represents design direction only.
Follow development
See what comes next.
Get notified when public testing opens. Glass Squares OS is still in development; there is no public download yet.
Build status and concept imagery are kept separate. Last substantive update: .