DewOS

DewOS is a small experimental Linux-based OS project.

It is built around a custom C++ /init, a small shell, an initramfs live environment, a TUI installer, GRUB boot support, QEMU testing, and a minimal installed root filesystem.

This is not a production-ready OS. It is a learning project, a system experiment, and a slow attempt to make a Linux distribution.

Status

DewOS is currently in early development.

Working or partially working:

• Custom C++ /init
• Basic shell and login flow
• Initramfs live environment
• GRUB ISO boot menu
• TUI installer
• ext4 install target
• QEMU test disk installation
• DHCP networking with netup
• Wi-Fi debug/detect/scan shell commands
• BusyBox-based rescue shell
• Simple text editor support through kilo

Not ready yet:

• Package manager
• Graphical UI
• Proper service manager
• Stable Wi-Fi support on all real hardware
• Secure production login system

Project Structure

DewOS/
├── app/                  # Custom init, shell, installer and runtime files
├── assets/               # Boot logos and visual assets
├── config/               # GRUB and system config files
├── configs/kernel/       # Kernel configuration helpers
├── docs/                 # Notes and documentation
├── scripts/              # Fetch, check, build, clean and run scripts
├── thirdparty/           # Small vendored tools kept in Git
├── Makefile
└── README.md

What Is Not Committed

Generated or downloadable files are intentionally not stored in Git:

• sources/ - downloaded Linux/LFS sources.
• build/ - temporary build trees and generated rootfs/initramfs contents.
• out/ - kernel image, initramfs, ISO, rootfs images, and QEMU test disks.
• third_party/ - external/restorable dependencies.

These directories can be restored with the scripts below.

Restore On A New PC

Install/check host tools and build the kernel if it is missing:

./scripts/check-all.sh

Fetch only the Linux kernel source:

./scripts/fetch-src.sh kernel

Fetch the full downloadable source set:

./scripts/fetch-src.sh all

Build only the initramfs:

./scripts/build-initramfs.sh

Build the bootable ISO:

./scripts/build-iso.sh

Force a kernel rebuild:

DEW_REBUILD_KERNEL=1 ./scripts/check-all.sh

Run In QEMU

Reset the QEMU test disk:

./scripts/run.sh reset-disk

Boot the live ISO/installer:

./scripts/run.sh iso

After installing DewOS to /dev/vda, boot the installed disk:

./scripts/run.sh disk

Direct kernel/initramfs boot for quick debugging:

./scripts/run.sh direct

Clean

Clean generated build artifacts:

./scripts/clear.sh build

Clean test disks:

./scripts/clear.sh disk

Clean all generated files:

./scripts/clear.sh all