MajaOS 0.1.0-beta.2: a much faster installer

This is a beta for testing: run it on a test machine or in a VM, not on a server with data you can't lose. Please report what you find with the Test report form under Issues, or with the new Feedback button in the dashboard.

Installing

Download majaos-0.1.0-beta.2-amd64.iso below, write it to a USB stick (for example with balenaEtcher) and boot from it with UEFI and Secure Boot off. Choose your language and keyboard, set up the network, pick the disk and choose Erase and install. After the restart MajaOS runs right away and shows its address on the server's screen. Your browser warns about the certificate the first time; Settings → Security explains how to trust it.

New since 0.1.0-beta.1

Installer

• MajaOS is fully installed on the USB stick and copied to the disk. An installation takes a few minutes instead of a long download and build, and needs no internet (only the NVIDIA driver does). After the restart MajaOS runs right away: no more setup on the first boot.
• A network step: per network card DHCP, a fixed address (gateway and DNS optional, for example for a direct cable) or not used. Cards show whether a cable is in, the address and the speed, and update by themselves when you plug a cable in. Mistakes in an address show right by the field.
• Faster DHCP: the installer asks with the MAC address as client ID, like most devices. Some routers (mesh systems) answered the old way only after a minute. The installed server keeps the same address.
• A keyboard choice on the first screen (QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ and more). It holds in the installer and on the installed server, and Settings → General changes it later.
• Clear error messages that say what went wrong (no internet, disk in use, boot loader), with the details on screen. The installer screen starts again by itself if it stops.
• Firmware for common network cards (Realtek 2.5G and others) on the stick and on the server.
• The ISO no longer contains Debian's own installer, so it is smaller (about 1.3 GB).

Server

• The server's own screen shows the MajaOS logo with the address to open (also https://<name>.local) instead of Debian's login text.
• No more "Failed to fetch" after giving the server a new name in the welcome wizard: the page reloads with the new certificate. When the server can't be reached, a bar with Reload appears.
• The welcome wizard no longer flashes the dashboard before it opens.
• Software update always shows the release notes of the installed version.
• Feedback button at the top of the dashboard: report a bug, share a test report or suggest an idea.
• Virtual machines: choose any operating system, not only Linux, Windows 11 or Home Assistant OS.

Coming from 0.1.0-beta.1

A server on the Beta channel offers this version under Settings → Software update. The installer changes only matter for new installations.

Known limitations

• Tested in QEMU, not yet on many real servers. The NVIDIA driver during installation and PCs that boot with BIOS instead of UEFI have not been tested yet.
• Only for 64-bit PCs. Secure Boot must be off.

MajaOS 0.1.0-beta.1: the first MajaOS pre-release

The first version under the new name. This is a beta for testing: run it on a test machine or in a VM, not on a server with data you can't lose. It has been tested in the demo, in QEMU and with sample output of the real tools, but not yet on many real servers. Please report what you find with the Test report form under Issues.

Installing

Download majaos-0.1.0-beta.1-amd64.iso below, write it to a USB stick (for example with balenaEtcher) and boot from it with UEFI and Secure Boot off. Pick your language and the disk, and choose Erase and install. After the restart MajaOS sets itself up and shows its address on the screen. Your browser warns about the certificate the first time; Settings → Security explains how to trust it.

New since HomeBaseOS 0.5.0

• A new name: MajaOS. Everything is renamed, including the service, folders and labels.
• A graphical installer. Language, disk and NVIDIA driver in one screen with the mouse, no Debian installer text, and no boot menu to get through.
• HTTPS by default, with the server's own certificate that renews itself when the name or address changes.
• Safer sign-in: always a user name, signing out really ends the session, and blocking after wrong attempts also works per IPv6 network and against attacks from many addresses.
• The whole interface in English, with translations in Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Chinese and Japanese.
• Home screen: widgets and apps together, folders, shortcuts to other sites, a list view, and search across everything.
• App store with featured apps and categories, simpler installing with sensible defaults, an advanced mode with the compose file, and an own address in your home network.
• Files: a file browser for your shared folders and the rest of the server, with previews, text editing and USB drives you can eject.
• Updates: apps update with a progress bar, Debian updates (including automatic security updates) from Settings → Software update.
• AI chat that can manage the server, with Claude or a local model, and an MCP address for other programs.
• Experience levels (beginner and expert), disk alerts and a notification inbox.

Coming from HomeBaseOS

A HomeBaseOS server moves to the new names by itself during the update: folders, services and settings are renamed and keep working, with a link at each old path. This move has been tested in a container, not yet on a real server, so make a backup first. Version numbers started again at 0.1.0, so the Beta channel of a HomeBaseOS 0.5.0 server doesn't offer this version; use the Development channel or install from the ISO.

Known limitations

• Not yet tested on real hardware: the first boot after installing, ZFS, libvirt, Samba and rclone with real disks and accounts. See Known uncertainties in CLAUDE.md.
• Only for 64-bit PCs with UEFI. Secure Boot must be off.
• The installed system uses a Belgian AZERTY keyboard and the time zone Europe/Brussels. The time zone can be changed in the welcome wizard; the keyboard only matters on the server's own screen.