Case study / Browser-based operating system
HyperspaceOS
A web-based desktop environment running entirely in the browser, with a persistent virtual file system, multi-window management, and a suite of built-in applications.
Overview
What the system is
HyperSpace OS is a fully functional, glassmorphism-styled desktop environment running entirely in the browser, built with Vanilla JavaScript and Canvas around a virtual file system and a real window manager.
Problem
The constraint that shaped it
Recreate a full desktop OS — windows, file system, terminal, apps — using only the browser.
Capabilities
What it does
- 01Window managerMulti-window interface with drag, resize, stack, workspaces, and Spotlight search (Alt + Space).
- 02Virtual file systemLocalStorage-persisted CRUD over a Unix-like /, home, usr, etc structure.
- 03Built-in app suiteTerminal, CodeMirror 6 editor, file explorer, task manager, whiteboard, music player, and system monitor.
- 04Terminal shell27+ Unix-like commands including ls, cd, mkdir, top, and neofetch.
- 05Three.js visualsGPU-accelerated particle backgrounds, a theme engine, and 60 FPS transitions.
Engineering
Decisions on record
- Core
- Vanilla JavaScript (ES6+ modules) with a custom-built window manager and UI kit.
- Graphics
- Three.js backgrounds over HTML5 Canvas; uPlot for data visualization.
- Editor
- CodeMirror 6 with Marked for Markdown rendering.
- Build
- Vite.