Hello everyone,
My name is Rob James, and I wanted to introduce myself and an OS I’ve been developing called **StarshipOS**.
StarshipOS is a unique hybrid operating system built on top of the L4Re microkernel framework. It combines:
- A Forth-based core powered by **gForth** - A lightweight persistent **object memory model** that completely replaces the traditional filesystem - Embedded **OpenJDK 21** services for high-level logic and tooling
The system is non-POSIX by design. Instead of files, everything lives in a dynamic memory graph of interactive objects. You interact with your system through a Forth-based REPL that evolves and mutates this object universe in real time. No shell scripts, no /etc, no /usr — just memory objects and messaging.
The ultimate goal is to make the **REPL the new shell**, and the **memory graph the new filesystem**.
Here’s what’s already in place: - A full Maven-driven build system that compiles Fiasco.OC, L4Re, OpenJDK, and gForth from source - A `starship-maven-plugin` that automates ROMFS image generation and ISO boot layout
coming soon: - A sandboxed REPL environment that boots directly into gForth and supports mounting JVM modules as interactive bundles - Early support for memory graph ACLs, entropy-based object lifespan, and “bubbles” — user-defined isolated memory regions
Right now, I’m focused on integration, getting the system to boot into the gForth REPL with full JVM runtime support, and beginning to layer in userland services via custom dictionary words.
Source is available (in-progress) here: 👉 **https://github.com/rajames440/StarshipOS**
I’ve been programming since the 1970s, mostly in userland, and I’m diving deep into kernel space and L4 internals for the first time. I’d love to hear from others doing low-level work on L4Re, especially anyone who's extended the build system or tackled non-POSIX boot flows.
Thanks again to everyone who’s contributed to L4Re and Fiasco.OC — it’s a hell of a foundation to build a new kind of OS on.
All the best, Rob James