FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
What is Orus?
An open-source desktop operating system on Debian 13, with a Rust shell and apps built with the web. This is version 0.1.0, the first early release.
Who is it for?
Developers and enthusiasts: people who like a small, readable system and want to build for it.
How should I try it?
In a virtual machine. It is the easiest way to look around, and it leaves your computer untouched. See the install guide.
What do I need?
15 GB of disk space and 1 GB of RAM. Turn Secure Boot off before you boot the installer.
Where can I get the source code?
On GitHub at github.com/splentainc/orus. You can clone it or download it as a ZIP, and read it there.
Is it really open source?
The desktop’s shell, installer and tools are. Orus Mobile is not.
Why does the runtime have a different license?
The runtime is a separate component from Splenta Inc. It uses the Business Source License 1.1, which lets you use it in production to run applications but doesn’t let others resell the runtime itself as a standalone product or hosted service.
Does the installer show a license?
Yes. The license step shows the runtime’s license, the Business Source License 1.1. The full text is included with the system.
How do I build an app?
Make a web app, add a small manifest, and run orus install. See the packaging guide.
How do permissions work?
Before an app installs, Orus shows what it asks for. The Store puts it in plain English, and an install that asks for more than the Store showed is stopped. As with any software, install apps from sources you trust.
Does it have an app store?
Yes, the Orus Store. It installs from sources you choose and shows a review screen before anything installs.
Which browser does it use?
Chromium, and Cerlus, a second browser made by Splenta Inc. Both are in the launcher.
Can I install other software?
Yes. It’s Debian underneath, so apt packages work, and they appear in the launcher.
Can I run Android or Windows apps?
No. Orus apps are web apps, and Debian packages work through apt.
What is Orus Mobile?
A design for the same idea on phones: no Google services, no Play Store, no Android apps. It’s a concept, there’s nothing to download yet, and unlike the desktop it won’t be open source.
When can I download the ISO?
The download page lists what you’ll need and will show the release the day it’s published, on GitHub.
How is it licensed?
Distribution files are Apache-2.0 and the shell is Apache-2.0 or MIT. The runtime and the Cerlus browser are under the Business Source License 1.1, which becomes Apache-2.0 four years after each version’s first public release.
Who makes Orus?
Splenta Inc.