AI enthusiasts
A desktop for exploring AI tools, trying coding agents and using Phobos-powered desktop Help.
Built for my desktop.
Made to be shared.
A place to build, explore and learn.
Ecliptic started as my own Arch Linux and Hyprland desktop, built piece by piece. I'm working toward making it available for other people, too.
A NOTE FROM THE BUILDEREvery choice
Every choice
has a reason.
I'm building Ecliptic because I want a desktop where the pieces are chosen on purpose: the tools I use, how the windows behave, and how the system helps me get things done.
AI is part of that. I want a useful place to write code and experiment with coding agents, alongside built-in help that can explain the desktop in plain language.
I also want it to be welcoming to someone trying Linux for the first time. Familiar controls, mouse and keyboard access, and help close by should make it easier to find a starting point.
The aim is to share what I'm building so other people can try it, learn from it and put it to use. Ecliptic is still taking shape, and that work continues one choice at a time.
Curiosity welcome.
You might come for AI, a project you want to build, or your first look at Linux. There is room for all of those reasons.
Developers
Choose your tools, keep a workspace for each project, and return to running sessions at the desk or over SSH.
People new to Linux
Start with familiar tasks. Ask a question, find a setting and learn at your own pace.
People making more of what they have
Explore a Linux option without a paid OS license. Start by seeing whether the computer you already own is a good fit.
A PRACTICAL STARTING POINTStart with what you have.
Start with what you have.
Make room for what's next.
I want cost to be less of a barrier to exploring Linux. A new computer or a paid OS license shouldn't have to be the first step.
Ecliptic's included Phobos model can provide local desktop Help on supported hardware, with no paid AI account needed. Hardware compatibility and performance still depend on your computer.
Optional coding agents and cloud services may have their own accounts, subscriptions or usage costs.
A few deliberate choices.
Choose each piece.
Pick focused tools for a reason, and understand what they add to the system.
Build on open foundations.
Use open-source OS tools and official software sources. Offer optional end-user tools where they fit.
Make it approachable.
Support mouse and keyboard use. Use plain language, familiar controls and useful help.
Keep people in control.
Let people choose their coding tools and where AI answers come from. Review supported desktop changes before applying them.
BUILT WITH THANKS
Standing on shared work.
Ecliptic builds on projects made by many other people. Their work makes this desktop possible.
- Arch Linux
- The Linux distribution underneath Ecliptic.
- Hyprland
- The foundation for how its desktop and windows work.
- Qwen3.5
- The model family Phobos is fine-tuned from.
- llama.cpp
- The runtime used to run Phobos locally.
And the many upstream tools and contributors that make everyday Linux possible.
A working project.
Still being built.
I'm using Ecliptic while its desktop, installer and AI tools continue to develop. Public release plans are still being worked out, and things will change along the way.
The goal is to make it available so people can discover it, try it and build something of their own.
Follow the buildWhy the name Ecliptic?
The name borrows from astronomy. For this project, it represents a shared foundation, with room for each person and computer to follow their own path.