148 lines
5.2 KiB
Markdown
148 lines
5.2 KiB
Markdown
# 🏛️ NexusOS Architecture Overview
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> "Freedom does not begin with GPL. Sometimes it begins with understanding."
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> — *NexusOS Manifest*
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---
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## 📌 Purpose
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NexusOS is not just a Linux distribution.
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It is a **declarative operating system architecture**, designed for:
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- **developer sovereignty**
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- **runtime reproducibility**
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- and **strategic modularity**
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...without compromising commercial usability or ideological clarity.
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This document outlines the **strategic multi-core foundation** of the NexusOS ecosystem, including its variant roles, licensing philosophy, and system layering model.
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---
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## 🧱 Primary Pillar: NexusOS (Mainline)
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**Codename:** `NexusOS`
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**Foundation:** Hardened Linux Kernel + musl + jemalloc
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**Userspace:** GNU-free (Toybox, sbase, etc.)
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**Tooling:** `nip` + `.npk` + `NimPak` (Nim DSL for package/build/runtime)
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**Target:** Workstations, modern desktops, servers, developer clouds
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### Why This Path?
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- ✅ Full hardware support (GPU, peripherals, drivers)
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- ✅ Seamless Wayland & Cosmic Desktop integration
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- ✅ Maximum compatibility with containers and cloud runtimes
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- ✅ Complete control of userspace and package/runtime layering
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> _This is the "flagship" system — pragmatic, reproducible, fast, and modular._
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---
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## ⚫ Variant 1: NexusBSD
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**Codename:** `NexusBSD`
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**Foundation:** DragonflyBSD Kernel
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**Userspace:** musl + Toybox + NimPak
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**Target:** Proprietary appliances, hardened edge devices, low-IO cloud clusters
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**License Model:** Fully BSD-compatible + ACUL dual-license
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### Why DragonflyBSD?
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- 💡 Linux binary compatibility (via Linuxulator)
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- 🧊 Superior SMP and filesystem (HAMMER2)
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- 🚫 No GPL contamination at the kernel level
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- 🔒 Ideal for commercial closed-box systems needing GPL-free stack
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> _This is the "pure BSD" variant — designed for deterministic, licensed appliance deployment._
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---
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## 🔴 Variant 2: NexusSafe-Core
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**Codename:** `NexusSafeCore`
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**Foundation:** Redox OS, Theseus OS, or custom Rust kernel
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**Userspace:** Nim-only or custom microprofile
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**Target:** Formal verification, medical/industrial systems, academic security research
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### Why Explore This?
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- 🦀 Memory-safe kernel and driver model
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- ✨ Compile-time system understanding (Theseus-style)
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- 🔬 Ideal for long-term evolution of verifiable infrastructure
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> _This is the "research kernel" — not for MVP, but a beacon for the future._
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---
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## 🟣 Variant 3: NexusUnikernel
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**Codename:** `NexusUnikernel`
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**Foundation:** Unikernel toolchain (e.g., rumpkernel, OSv)
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**Tooling:** `nip build <pkg> --target=unikernel`
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**Target:** Cloud functions, edge microservices, serverless workloads
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### What Makes This Strategic?
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- ⚡ Generates bootable, single-purpose artifacts
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- 🔐 Minimal attack surface, no userspace
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- 🤖 Fully automated reproducible builds (via `.npk` + runtime logs)
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> _This is the "application-as-OS" path — built entirely via Nexus tooling for next-gen cloud runtimes._
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---
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## 🔐 License Philosophy: MIT + ACUL
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NexusOS is dual-licensed:
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- **MIT License:** for open-source, educational, and non-commercial use
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- **ACUL (Anomaly Commercial Use License):** for proprietary or closed-source usage
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ACUL requires:
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- Attribution
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- Reproducibility via `.npk` logs
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- Active Nexus Foundation membership (Bronze/Silver/Gold)
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> _This dual license strategy enables wide adoption **without copyleft lock-in**, while preserving build-time accountability and ecosystem funding._
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---
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## 🧩 NexusOS Layering Model
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| Layer | libc | Allocator | Purpose |
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|------------------|--------|---------------|-----------------------------------------|
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| 🧱 Core/Base | musl | internal | Init, shell, recovery tools |
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| 🧰 App Layer | musl | jemalloc | CLI apps, system tools, servers |
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| 🖥 Desktop Layer | glibc | glibc malloc | KDE, Wayland, Cosmic, GUI apps |
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| ⚙️ systemd Layer | glibc | jemalloc | systemd, journald, services |
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Control of these layers is done **declaratively** via `.npk.yaml` recipes and enforced during build/install with the `nip` engine.
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---
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## 📦 Variant Summary Table
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| Variant | Kernel | License Model | Role | Status |
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|----------------|---------------|------------------|----------------------------------|---------------|
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| **NexusOS** | Linux | MIT + ACUL | Mainline Desktop/Server OS | MVP Target ✅ |
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| **NexusBSD** | DragonflyBSD | BSD + ACUL | Proprietary edge/server variant | Planned |
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| **NexusSafeCore** | Redox/Theseus | Apache/MIT | Verified secure kernel R&D | Research Phase |
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| **NexusUnikernel** | Any (via toolchain) | Embedded via ACUL | App-as-OS build target | Phase 4–5 |
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---
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## 🚀 Strategic Direction
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We are not building "just another distro."
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We are designing:
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- A verifiable OS
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- A programmable system
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- A modular foundation
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- A reproducibility-driven ecosystem
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- A licensing and packaging architecture **fit for open infrastructure and commercial clarity**
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---
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## 📜 Appendix: Licensing Badge for ACUL
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```markdown
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[](https://nexus.foundation/membership)
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