TL;DR
Gershwin is a GNUstep-based desktop environment that recreates an early Mac OS X-like user experience while remaining compact and self-contained. It can be built quickly with a Clang/LLVM toolchain, runs with a full window manager in under 50MB of storage, and is installable via gershwin-build or a GhostBSD package.
What happened
Gershwin-desktop is an open-source desktop environment built on the GNUstep framework that aims to reproduce an early Mac OS X-like interface. The project bundles a Workspace, Terminal, TextEdit, System Preferences, a native X11 window manager, and a Global Menu server for GNUstep/X11 applications. According to the repository, the full system — including the window manager — uses under 50MB of storage and can be compiled from source in a matter of minutes using a Clang/LLVM toolchain. The environment is designed to be self-contained relative to the host OS, keeping local users and applications separate from network and system software, and allowing application bundles to be installed in a Users folder without root privileges. Applications built with Gershwin and the underlying GNUstep stack are described as runnable on many operating systems, including Windows. The project provides a gershwin-build installer, a GhostBSD package, live ISOs for testing, and community support through an issue tracker and GitHub Discussions.
Why it matters
- Very small on-disk footprint (reported under 50MB) could make it attractive for lightweight systems or testing environments.
- Self-contained design and per-user application installs reduce dependency on host OS configuration and root access.
- Compatibility of applications produced with GNUstep across multiple operating systems can aid cross-platform development and portability.
- Support for multiple coexisting core library versions aims to protect ABI stability for long-term use.
- Quick build times with a modern Clang/LLVM toolchain lower the barrier for developers to compile and iterate.
Key facts
- Gershwin is based on the GNUstep framework and targets an early Mac OS X-like user experience.
- Provided components include Workspace, Terminal, TextEdit, System Preferences, a native X11 window manager, and a Global Menu server.
- The entire system including the window manager reportedly consumes under 50MB of storage.
- The project can be built from source in a few minutes using a Clang/LLVM toolchain and the gershwin-build helper.
- Users can install application bundles in a Users folder without requiring root credentials.
- The environment is described as self-contained from the underlying operating system, with separation of local, network and system applications and users.
- Applications built with Gershwin/GNUstep are said to be able to run on many operating systems, including Windows.
- GhostBSD users can install via: pkg install gershwin-desktop; live ISOs are available for gershwin-on-debian, gershwin-on-arch, and a GhostBSD Gershwin Community Preview.
- Repository metadata: BSD-2-Clause license, 259 stars, 7 forks, and 4 listed contributors.
- The project notes that multiple versions of core libraries can coexist to help guarantee long-term ABI stability.
What to watch next
- No official releases are published in the repository at present (confirmed in the source).
- Future official release dates and packaging for additional distributions — not confirmed in the source.
- Broader adoption, third-party application availability, and real-world performance metrics — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- GNUstep: An open-source implementation of the OpenStep API offering development libraries and tools for object-oriented applications, often used for cross-platform GUI software.
- X11: A windowing system for bitmap displays, commonly used on Unix and Unix-like operating systems to provide basic graphical display and input functionality.
- Window Manager: Software that controls the placement, appearance, and behavior of windows within a graphical user interface on a desktop environment.
- Global Menu: A menu system architecture where application menus are exposed at a global location, decoupled from individual application windows.
- ABI (Application Binary Interface) stability: A property of compiled libraries and programs ensuring that binary interfaces remain compatible across versions so applications keep working without recompilation.
Reader FAQ
What is Gershwin?
Gershwin is a desktop environment built on GNUstep that recreates an early Mac OS X-like user experience with its own window manager and core apps.
How large is the Gershwin desktop?
The repository states the entire system, including the window manager, consumes under 50MB of storage.
How do I install or test Gershwin?
The project provides a gershwin-build helper; GhostBSD users can install via 'pkg install gershwin-desktop', and live ISOs exist for testing.
Do applications built with Gershwin run on other operating systems?
The source says applications built using Gershwin and the GNUstep foundation can run on many operating systems, including Windows.
Can users install apps without root access?
Yes. The project describes the ability to install application bundles in a Users folder without requiring root credentials.
gershwin-desktop Gershwin is a desktop environment based on GNUstep with an early Mac OS X-like user experience. Why Gershwin? Gershwin offers Workspace, Terminal, TextEdit, System Preferences, a native Window Manager…
Sources
- Gershwin-desktop: OS X-like Desktop Environment based on GNUStep
- GhostBSD Comes Up With Gershwin, A New Desktop …
- This new Linux desktop is almost a dead ringer for OS X
- From Gershwin back to Mate
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