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00 The creator OS Closed alpha

Linux never sounded better.

aux.os is an Arch-based operating system for music and media creators. Encrypted by default, tuned for low-latency audio, with a set of creator apps ready right after install. One design system, aux.form, from the boot menu to the lock screen.

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Latency1.3ms64 samples at 48 kHz
Kernels2linux + linux-rt
From the AUR0signed packages only
LicenceMITopen source
A Audio clock
Rate
48 kHz
Quantum
256
Latency
5.3 ms
Pick a mode on the screen
1234 Bitwig Studio 3 12% 48k · 256 64% Tue 03 Nov 20:41
/ aux.os  /  Setup  /  Audio latency 4 items
Search apps, setup, actions
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01 Concept

A studio, not a setup project

Linux can be a great place to make music and media. Getting there usually takes a weekend of kernels, audio servers, Wine prefixes, plugin paths and themes. aux.os makes those choices once, tests them together and ships them as one system.

Install it, plug in your interface, open your DAW.

01 Principles5
  • Creators first01 Audio, video and graphics work out of the box. Developer tools are an optional bundle.
  • Low latency by default02 Realtime privileges, a preempt=full kernel with a realtime kernel one boot entry away, tuned PipeWire.
  • No AUR03 Arch's official repos first, then packages we build, check and sign ourselves.
  • One design system04 aux.form everywhere. Its tokens generate every theme file: boot menu, splash, terminal, compositor, shell.
  • Encrypted and recoverable05 LUKS2 + btrfs, a snapshot before every update, snapshots bootable from the boot menu.

02 Features

What you get after install

02.1 Low latency

Tuned for audio from the first boot

PipeWire runs at 48 kHz with a 256-sample quantum, realtime privileges are set, and the kernel boots with preempt=full threadirqs. Need less? Switch to 64 samples from the launcher, or boot the realtime kernel. USB interfaces get the Pro Audio profile, built-in sound a software mixer.

Low1.3ms
Balanced5.3ms
Safe21.3ms
02.2 DAW

Bitwig and Renoise, ready

Built on your machine from the vendor's own download and checked against a recorded checksum. Bring a full Renoise licence and it is used instead of the demo.

02.3 Plugins

Windows plugins too

yabridge with Wine Staging, held at a tested version until an update proves it. LSP Plugins, Surge XT and Carla for LV2 are already installed.

02.4 Video + graphics

The rest of the studio

Kdenlive, OBS Studio and mpv for video, Blender, Inkscape and GIMP for graphics. DaVinci Resolve is one click away.

02.5 Launcher

One menu for everything

Super+Space opens a single searchable menu: apps, setup, install, update and system. Audio latency and routing are in it, not buried in config files.

02.6 Dictation

Speech to text, offline

Super+D and talk. Whisper runs on your machine and types into the focused window. Nothing leaves the computer.

02.7 Safety

Encrypted, with a way back

Unlocking the disk is your login. Every update takes a snapshot first, and aux update tells you when to reboot.

02.8 Packages

A source you can trust

Beyond Arch's own repos, everything comes from the signed aux.os repo. aux pkg check reviews any other package before you install it.

02.9 What shipsx86_64
AreaApps
DAWBitwig Studio, Renoise
Windows pluginsyabridge, Wine Staging
PluginsLSP Plugins, Surge XT, Carla
RoutingPipeWire, WirePlumber, qpwgraph
VideoKdenlive, OBS Studio, mpv · DaVinci Resolve optional
GraphicsBlender, Inkscape, GIMP, imv
DesktopHyprland, aux.os shell, Ghostty, Nautilus, GNOME Text Editor, Neovim
BrowserZen Browser
SystemLimine, LUKS2, btrfs + Snapper, linux + linux-rt, Plymouth, ufw
OptionalDeveloper bundle: Docker, git tools, mise, Neovim setup

03 Roadmap

Where it is going

aux.os is in closed alpha. The installer works and passes its checks in a test VM. Real hardware is next.

03.1 Done4 done
  • Installer v0Donearchinstall + install.sh · all VM checks pass
  • Desktop shellDoneBar, launcher, lock screen, OSD, dictation
  • Signed package repoDoneaux pkg check · approve · info · install
  • UpdatesDoneaux.os as packages · aux update · bar indicator
03.2 NowIn progress
  • Closed alphaNowFirst testers install from the alpha
  • Real hardwareNowUSB interfaces, real GPUs, latency checks
  • Plugin storeNowFree Linux plugins, one-click install from the shell
03.3 NextPlanned
  • RollbackNextSnapshots in the boot menu · aux rollback
  • MigrationNextFrom an existing Arch + Hyprland setup, keeping your disk and data
  • aux.os ISONextOwn installer, no archinstall step
  • Public releaseLaterOpen repo once it is stable

04 Alpha

Alpha starts soon

The first testers get aux.os soon. Sign up to hear when the alpha opens.

04.2 You'll need
CPU
x86_64
Firmware
UEFI
Disk
one, erased
GPU
AMD, Intel

A spare machine or a spare disk: the install erases it.