Sculpt OS release 26.10 Oct 30, 2026

Sculpt OS 26.10 uses Genode's custom microkernel by default, drops XML, hosts virtual machines in VirtualBox 7, and turns the USB host-controller driver into a pluggable component.

A few user conveniences like a scalable and user-customizable mouse pointer, an added visual overview of dependent components, improved flexibility of using webcams, or new support for UK keyboards notwithstanding, the four major shifts of the current release are below the surface.

First, Sculpt 26.10 is the first version based on Genode's custom microkernel instead of relying on a 3rd-party kernel. This kernel - designed from the ground up for the needs of Genode and Sculpt OS in particular - is not only more "micro" than any other of the microkernels supported by Genode, it also solves long-standing deficiencies concerning CPU scheduling and kernel-memory management. Sculpt OS finally stands on Genode's own footing!

Second, the release marks the finishing line of the transition from XML to Genode's HID configuration format, increasing the comfort of the system's textual user interface. Whereas the previous version still supported both XML and HID, the new version has become relieved from the XML legacy.

As the third major shift, the new version upgrades key components, offering VirtualBox 7 instead of version 6, and bumping all Linux-based driver components from kernel version 6.12 to 6.18. This makes Sculpt OS inter-operable with recent guest OS versions and a greater variety of modern hardware. Speaking of drivers, the new version takes the concept of pluggable drivers as far as covering the USB host-controller driver. In fact, this bus driver can now be started, removed, and re-started without bringing USB clients into trouble. This architectural change does not only improve failsafety - a faulted host driver can now be instantly replaced by a fresh instance - but also clears the way towards more flexible management of power and seamless driver updates.

Finally, Sculpt OS 26.10 pays tribute to this year's overall theme of "building bridges" by featuring our software development kit (Goa SDK) running directly on Sculpt OS without virtualization. This entails a wealth of tooling including GCC, Binutils, Git, Sequoia, Expect, Curl, man, Make, and CMake having landed on Genode. Although still young and not time-tested yet, it shows what's possible today and allows us developers to gradually shift more and more development routine into this self-hosted environment, stressing the general-purpose qualities of Genode and motivating further optimizations.

Sculpt OS 26.10 is available as ready-to-use system image for PC hardware, the PinePhone, and the MNT Reform laptop at the Sculpt download page accompanied with updated documentation.