daedalOS: A Full-Featured Desktop Environment Running in Your Browser

daedalOS: A Full-Featured Desktop Environment Running in Your Browser

Summary

daedalOS is an innovative open-source project that brings a complete desktop environment experience directly to your web browser. Built with JavaScript, it offers a rich set of features including a robust file system, a wide array of applications, and even classic games, all accessible without any local installation. This project showcases the power of modern web technologies to deliver complex, interactive user interfaces.

Repository Info

Updated on January 5, 2026
View on GitHub

Tags

desktop-environmentjavascriptosweb-desktopweb developmentopen sourceemulator

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Introduction

daedalOS is an ambitious open-source project that reimagines the desktop experience, bringing a fully functional operating system environment directly into your web browser. Developed by DustinBrett, this JavaScript-powered marvel demonstrates the incredible capabilities of modern web technologies. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, from a robust file system and customizable windows to a diverse collection of applications and classic games, all accessible without any local installation. daedalOS is more than just a demo, it's a testament to what can be achieved with web-based computing.

Installation

To get daedalOS up and running, you'll need Node.js and Yarn installed on your system.

Prerequisites

Development

To set up daedalOS for development:

yarn install
yarn build:prebuild
yarn dev

Production

For a production build and serving:

yarn install
yarn build
yarn serve

Docker

You can also run daedalOS using Docker:

docker build -t daedalos .
docker run -dp 3000:3000 --rm --name daedalos daedalos

Note: If yarn install encounters an digital envelope routines::unsupported error, you may need to set NODE_OPTIONS to --openssl-legacy-provider. Refer to the official documentation for more details.

Examples

daedalOS provides a rich user experience with a wide array of features and applications:

  • File System: Experience a familiar file explorer with drag and drop support, thumbnail and details views, and compatibility with various archive formats like ZIP, ISO, and 7Z. It writes data to IndexedDb and offers extensive context menu options, including file manipulation, conversion, and setting wallpapers.
  • Windows: Windows are fully resizable and draggable, supporting minimize, maximize, and close actions. Their size, position, and maximized states are persisted across sessions, and they feature smooth opening and closing animations.
  • Applications: Explore a diverse ecosystem of built-in applications:
    • Monaco Editor: A powerful code/text editor supporting various file types and Prettier formatting.
    • BoxedWine & js-dos: Emulators for running 16/32-bit Windows applications and DOS programs.
    • EmulatorJS: Play a wide range of console game ROMs directly in your browser.
    • Stable Diffusion: Generate 512x512 images using AI, running locally with WebSD.
    • Terminal: A full-featured terminal with file system support, autocomplete, Git, Python, and WebAssembly Package Manager integration.
    • Webamp: Relive the classic Winamp experience with skin support, playlists, and visualizations.
  • Games: Beyond productivity, daedalOS also includes classic games for entertainment:

Why Use daedalOS?

daedalOS stands out for several compelling reasons:

  • Unparalleled Portability: Access a complete desktop environment from any modern web browser, on any device, without needing to install software locally.
  • Rich and Diverse Feature Set: From advanced file management and code editing to retro gaming and AI image generation, daedalOS offers a broad spectrum of functionalities.
  • Open Source Innovation: Being open source, it invites community contributions and provides a transparent, flexible platform for customization and learning.
  • Showcase of Web Capabilities: It serves as an excellent example of how far web technologies have come, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in a browser.

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