COSMIC Desktop is the next-generation desktop environment developed by System76 as a complete rewrite of their COSMIC interface, built entirely from scratch using the Rust programming language. It represents a major shift away from GNOME-based customization toward a fully independent desktop stack designed for performance, memory safety, and long-term maintainability. The environment is based on Wayland and uses the Iced GUI toolkit, providing a modern rendering pipeline and a cohesive set of native applications. COSMIC Epoch introduces advanced window management features, including optional tiling, workspaces, and keyboard-driven navigation, while still supporting traditional desktop workflows. It is designed to integrate deeply with Pop!_OS, where its first stable release is included as part of Pop!_OS 24.04, signaling its readiness for daily use.

Features

  • Built entirely in Rust for safety and performance
  • Wayland-native desktop environment
  • Optional tiling and advanced window management
  • Custom theming and native application ecosystem
  • Uses Iced GUI toolkit for rendering
  • Integrated into Pop!_OS as default desktop

Project Samples

COSMIC Desktop Screenshot 1

Project Activity

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