Redox (operating system)

Redox is a Unix-like microkernel operating system written in the programming language Rust, which has a focus on safety, stability, and performance. Redox aims to be secure, usable, and free. Redox is inspired by prior kernels and operating systems, such as SeL4, MINIX, Plan 9, and BSD. It is free and open-source software distributed under an MIT License.

Redox gets its name from the reduction-oxidation reactions in chemistry; one redox reaction is the corrosion of iron, also called rust.

Design
The Redox operating system is designed to be secure. This is reflected in two design decisions:
 * 1) Using the programming language Rust for implementation
 * 2) Using a microkernel design, similar to MINIX

Components
Redox provides packages (memory allocator, file system, display manager, core utilities, etc.) that together make up a functional operating system. Redox relies on an ecosystem of software written in Rust by members of the project.


 * Redox kernel – derives from the concept of microkernels, with inspiration from MINIX
 * Ralloc – memory allocator
 * RedoxFS (file system) – inspired by the ZFS file system
 * Ion shell – the underlying library for shells and command execution in Redox, and the default shell
 * pkgutils – package manager
 * Orbital windowing system – display and window manager, sets up the orbital: scheme, manages the display, and handles requests for window creation, redraws, and event polling
 * relibc – C standard library

Command-line applications
Redox supports command-line interface (CLI) programs, including:
 * Sodium – vi-like editor that provides syntax highlighting

Graphical applications
Redox supports graphical user interface (GUI) programs, including:
 * NetSurf – a lightweight web browser which uses its own layout engine
 * Calculator – a software calculator which provides functions similar to the Windows Calculator program
 * Editor – simple text editor, similar to Microsoft Notepad
 * File Browser – a file manager that displays icons, names, sizes, and details for files; uses the launcher command to open files when they are clicked
 * Image Viewer – Image viewer for simple file types
 * Pixelcannon – 3D renderer, can be used to benchmark the Orbital desktop
 * Orbterm – ANSI type terminal emulator

History
Redox was created by Jeremy Soller and was first published on 20 April 2015 on GitHub. As of July 2021, the Redox repository had a total of 79 contributors.