Redox (operating system)

Marketing targetDesktop, workstation, serverAvailable inEnglishPackage managerpkgutilsPlatformsx86-64; ARM64 in development^[2]Kernel typeMicrokernelUserlandCustomInfluenced byPOSIX^[3]Default
user interfaceCommand-line, OrbitalLicenseMITOfficial websitewww.redox-os.org

Redox is a Unix-like microkernel operating system written in the programming language Rust, which has a focus on safety, stability, and performance.^[4][5][6] Redox aims to be secure, usable, and free. Redox is inspired by prior kernels and operating systems, such as SeL4, MINIX, Plan 9, and BSD. It is free and open-source software distributed under an MIT License.

Redox gets its name from the reduction-oxidation reactions in chemistry; one redox reaction is the corrosion of iron, also called rust.

The Redox operating system is designed to be secure.^[4] This is reflected in two design decisions:

1. Using the programming language Rust for implementation
2. Using a microkernel design, similar to MINIX

Redox provides packages (memory allocator, file system, display manager, core utilities, etc.) that together make up a functional operating system. Redox relies on an ecosystem of software written in Rust by members of the project.

• Redox kernel – derives from the concept of microkernels, with inspiration from MINIX
• Ralloc – memory allocator
• RedoxFS (file system) – inspired by the ZFS file system
• Ion shell – the underlying library for shells and command execution in Redox, and the default shell
• pkgutils – package manager
• Orbital windowing system – display and window manager, sets up the orbital: scheme, manages the display, and handles requests for window creation, redraws, and event polling
• relibc – C standard library

Redox supports command-line interface (CLI) programs, including:

• Sodium – vi-like editor that provides syntax highlighting

Redox supports graphical user interface (GUI) programs, including:

• NetSurf – a lightweight web browser which uses its own layout engine
• Calculator – a software calculator which provides functions similar to the Windows Calculator program
• Editor – simple text editor, similar to Microsoft Notepad
• File Browser – a file manager that displays icons, names, sizes, and details for files; uses the launcher command to open files when they are clicked
• Image Viewer – Image viewer for simple file types
• Pixelcannon – 3D renderer, can be used to benchmark the Orbital desktop
• Orbterm – ANSI type terminal emulator

Redox was created by Jeremy Soller and was first published on 20 April 2015 on GitHub.^[7] As of July 2021, the Redox repository had a total of 79 contributors.^[8]

• Official website
• Official GitLab instance
• Redox on GitHub
• Redox at Open Hub