Aero7 Weekly Devlog — August 23, 2026 #13
memegeko
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Aero7 Weekly Devlog — August 23, 2026
Period: August 17–23, 2026
Most development time this week went into the early architecture and development of Aero7 Desktop, our own desktop environment. Public GitHub activity was concentrated in the new Aero7 File Explorer repository, but those commits represent only part of the week’s work.
Building our own desktop environment
Aero7 has begun the long-term transition from using KDE Plasma as its visible shell toward a purpose-built Aero7 desktop environment.
The goal is not to rebuild the complete Linux desktop stack. Aero7 Desktop will provide the interface people see and use while continuing to rely on mature open-source foundations:
This architecture lets development focus on the Aero7 experience without reimplementing reliable low-level infrastructure.
What Aero7 Desktop will own
The planned Aero7 interface includes:
Owning the visible shell will allow tighter integration between the desktop and applications such as File Explorer, Control Panel, Computer Management, Device Manager, and Programs Center.
It also gives Aero7 greater control over its interaction design instead of being limited by the structure and behavior of another desktop environment.
A gradual transition
This is a long-term effort, not an immediate replacement.
KDE Plasma remains the current Aero7 desktop while Aero7 Desktop is designed, implemented, and tested one component at a time. Stability and a usable system remain the priority throughout the transition.
More details are available in the official announcement: Building the Aero7 Desktop.
Introducing Aero7 File Explorer
The new
aero7-file-explorerrepository was created on August 20.Aero7 File Explorer is a maintained KDE Dolphin fork with its own application identity:
aero7-file-explorerorg.aero7.FileExploreraero7-file-explorerdolphinandaero7-dolphinThe compatibility commands open the same Aero7 application. They preserve existing shortcuts and integrations without installing a competing second file manager.
File-management experience
The Aero7 fork provides a dedicated interface and behavior layer over Dolphin and KDE’s KIO framework:
The initial fork changed the main window, navigation controller, places panel, Computer view, context menus, status bar, file views, common dialogs, file operations, application metadata, D-Bus identity, build configuration, and tests.
Libraries and common dialogs
File Explorer includes a versioned Library system for combining multiple folders into logical Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, or custom Libraries.
Libraries reference the original folders without moving or duplicating their contents.
File Explorer and compatible Aero7 common dialogs share:
Third-party applications continue using their normal toolkit dialogs unless they explicitly integrate with the Aero7 dialog protocol.
Package delivery
File Explorer is intended to be delivered through Aero7’s signed package repository. Users should not need to compile it manually.
The documented installation and update command is:
The package transition preserves the historical
dolphinandaero7-dolphincommands, allowing existing launchers and integrations to continue working.Documentation
A comprehensive File Explorer Wiki was added covering:
Installed-system screenshots were added for Computer, Documents, Downloads, and Libraries.
The Wiki publication workflow completed successfully.
Testing support
The File Explorer source includes test contracts for:
Build and test instructions were added for CMake, Ninja, CTest, and the installed
aero7-shell-selftesthelper.No public source-test workflow ran this week, so the presence of these tests should not be presented as evidence of a complete validation pass.
Bugs fixed
No separate bug-fix commits were recorded this week. Public repository work primarily established File Explorer, its documentation, packaging model, identity, and relationship with upstream Dolphin.
Release status
Development activity
Public GitHub activity included:
The seven File Explorer establishment commits recorded approximately 6,114 additions and 709 deletions. Most of this volume came from establishing and adapting the Dolphin-derived fork.
These statistics do not measure all Aero7 Desktop development time because the DE work is still in its early architecture and component-development stage.
Notable File Explorer changes:
Development this week was contributed by @memegeko.
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