Wisp OSShelf
A floating bar with a centered launcher button, pinned apps, and a status area.
A Codez Studios project
Wisp OS
A lightweight Linux-based operating system designed for 4 GB devices, with a desktop experience built around a Wayland shell. Linux and Android app support are part of the vision.
LinuxWaylandDesigned for 4 GB devices
4 GBThe device Wisp is designed for
WaylandThe desktop shell’s display protocol
C + cairoWhat the shell is written in
amd64 + arm64Packages built for both
A focused desktop shell
The Wisp desktop shell, wisp-shelf, runs on Wayland and is tested on every push.
Launcher
An app grid with search for finding applications.
Quick settings
A tray for the settings you reach for most.
Dark and light themes
Switch between a dark and a light look without changing how the shell works.
Spring animations
Menus and the launcher move with spring-based motion, so they feel smooth rather than abrupt.
Built to stay light
Written in C with cairo, so the shell stays small enough for 4 GB devices.
How Wisp is designed
Three ideas guide every decision in the system.
Fast on modest hardware
Wisp aims to feel quick on the 4 GB laptops that bigger desktops struggle on, so every piece starts small.
Soft and curved
The swirl logo sets the tone: rounded shapes, gentle motion, and type with curved letterforms.
Familiar apps
The goal is to bring Linux and Android apps along, so the system is useful from day one.
Where development stands
Wisp OS is early. Here is what exists now and what comes next.
Built
- wisp-shelf: the shelf, launcher and quick settings tray
- Dark and light themes
- Automated build, tests and headless screenshots on every push
- Packages for amd64 and arm64
In progress
- Verifying the arm64 package
- Preparing the 0.1.0 release
- Wisp Sans, a typeface with curved letterforms like the logo
Planned
- A bootable Wisp OS image, which has not started yet
- Linux app support
- Android app support
- App icons restyled to match Wisp
Questions
What is Wisp OS?
Wisp OS is a lightweight Linux-based operating system from Codez Studios, designed for 4 GB devices and built around a Wayland desktop shell.
Can I install Wisp OS today?
Not yet. The bootable Wisp OS image has not started development. What exists so far is wisp-shelf, the desktop shell.
Why target 4 GB devices?
Many laptops ship with 4 GB of memory. Wisp is designed to keep those machines feeling quick, with a small shell written in C.
Will Wisp OS run Linux and Android apps?
Linux and Android app support are part of the vision for Wisp OS, but they are not built yet.
Who makes Wisp OS?
Wisp OS is made by Codez Studios, an independent software studio.
Follow Wisp OS as it grows
Wisp is made by a small independent team and is still early. Follow Codez Studios on GitHub for updates, or say hello if you want to help.