📌 Table of Contents (Click to Expand)
Desktop4Kids OS is a safe, offline-first desktop environment for children, built with Electron.
It simulates a real operating system experience complete with:
- A windowed desktop
- Child-friendly applications
- A sandboxed file system
- A fully local AI learning assistant
No internet. No tracking. No cloud dependency.
This release v1.4.0 focuses on the core desktop foundation stability, safety, and a strong base for future apps.
| System Component | Version | Key Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop Environment | 1.0 | Wallpapers, draggable icons, grid snapping, context menus, boot animations |
| Window Manager | 1.0 | Multi-window handling, focus control, z-index stacking, resizing, taskbar integration |
| File Explorer | 1.0 | Grid/List views, drag-reorder icons, per-folder layout memory, context menus |
| Virtual Filesystem Layer | 2.0 | Secure preload bridge, sandboxed read/write/rename/delete |
| User Account Manager | 2.0 | Multi-user profiles, isolated directories, storage quotas |
| Trash System | 1.0 | Recoverable deletes, restore support, permanent delete |
| System Services | 1.0 | Tray clock & calendar, global theming, alerts, notifications |
| Application | Version | Key Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Media Center | 2.0 | Image/audio/video playback, custom controls, WebAudio visualizer |
| Notepad | 1.0 | Real-time saving, font scaling, theme synchronization |
| Calculator | 1.0 | Basic & scientific modes, calculation history |
| Paint | 1.0 | Drawing tools, shapes, layers, PNG/JPG export |
| Mentor AI | 2.0 | Fully offline AI tutor, child-safe responses, taskbar dock |
| Settings | 3.0 | User profiles, theme management, wallpaper selection |
Click to view more screenshots
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Framework | Electron 31 (modern sandboxed configuration) |
| Language | JavaScript (Node.js backend + isolated renderer via preload.js) |
| Storage | Virtual user directories under /users/<username> |
| Security | Context isolation, disabled remote, IPC via contextBridge only |
| Build Tools | electron-builder (packaging), electronmon (dev hot-reload) |
Tip: Keep your preload surface minimal and validate every IPC payload.
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/Desktop4Kids-OS.git
cd Desktop4Kids-OS
npm installCreate/Verify a models directory:
Desktop4Kids-OS/models/Download and place:
Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct-Q5_K_M.gguf
Verify configuration:
const MODEL_FILENAME = 'Qwen2.5-3B-Instruct-Q5_K_M.gguf';Run:
npm startsudo apt update
sudo apt install -y build-essential cmake python3 git
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/Desktop4Kids-OS.git
cd Desktop4Kids-OS
npm install
npm startAny compatible GGUF model can be used.
Steps:
- Place model in
models/ - Update
MODEL_FILENAMEinai-runtime.js - Restart application
No internet is used after setup.
| Platform | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Windows | Node.js 22+, Git. (For local builds: VS 2022 Build Tools (C++), CMake, Python) |
| macOS | Node.js 22+, Xcode Command Line Tools (Metal backend supported) |
| Linux | Node.js 22+, build-essential, cmake, Python 3 (CUDA/Vulkan optional) |
- Log in as
Guest→ instantly land on the desktop! - Drag any icon → watch it snap into place with smooth animations.
- Double-click
File Explorer→ switch between Grid and List views. - Open
Notepad→ type “Hello!” → see “Saved” appear in real time. - Right-click the desktop → create a New Folder or change wallpaper.
- Click the Mentor AI icon (📌 on taskbar) → ask: “What is 5 + 3?” → get an instant answer!
- Open
Paint→ doodle a star → Save → find it in Photos!
No setup. No internet. Just fun, safe learning.
Ready to build? See Installation above.
🎨 Theming in Settings for deeper personalization🖼️ Media Center for images (.png, .jpg, .gif) videos (.mp4, .mov, .avi) and music (.mp3, .wav)🤖 Mentor AI Assistant – offline tutor for math, science, English, and art concepts🗑️ Trash System with file/folder recovery🧮 Calculator with basic & scientific modes + history🎨 Paint App – doodle, draw, save as .png/.jpg to Photos✨ Revamped UI + enhanced system alerts & animations
- 🎮 Game Center – Collection of educational mini-games (math puzzles, word games, logic challenges)
- 👪 Parental Controls – App time limits, usage reports, content filtering, and Safe Mode for parent accounts
- 🎨 Advanced Theming – Custom accent colors, dark/light/auto modes, per-user themes
- ♿ Accessibility Suite – Screen reader support, high-contrast mode, keyboard navigation, voice commands
- 🌍 Multilingual Support – UI localization (English, Spanish, French, etc.) + Mentor AI language switching
- 📚 Learning Hub – Built-in lessons, progress tracking, and achievement badges
- 🖥️ App Store (Local) – Safely install community-made educational apps
- 🎤 Voice Mode for Mentor AI – Speak and listen (privacy-first, fully offline)
Have ideas? File a feature request! 🙌
Contributions are welcome.
Please:
- Respect the security model
- Avoid expanding IPC surface unnecessarily
- Document architectural changes clearly
Q: Is Desktop4Kids safe for children?
A: Yes. It runs fully offline with no ads, tracking, or network access.
Q: Does it require internet?
A: No. Everything, including Mentor AI, runs locally after setup.
Q: Can I use my own AI model?
A: Yes. Any compatible
.ggufmodel can be placed in/models/.
👉 See the full FAQ: docs/FAQ.md
Still stuck? Open an issue on GitHub — we’re here to help!
github.com/yourusername/Desktop4Kids-OS/issues
GNU General Public License v3.0. See LICENSE for details.
