Installation

ResearchOS is one product with three faces: a desktop app, a mobile companion, and the ros command line. The desktop package installs everything at once — no Python, no dependencies, no setup.

Linux (Ubuntu 22.04+ / Debian 12+, 64-bit)

sudo apt install ./researchos_<version>_amd64.deb

That single package installs the desktop app (applications menu → ResearchOS), the ros CLI, the background daemon, and the system libraries it needs. Upgrades install the same way and never touch your data.

Android

Install researchos_<version>.apk (allow "install from unknown sources" when asked). The companion needs a sync account to be useful — see the mobile guide.

Windows & macOS

Native builds are coming during the beta. The data layer and sync are already cross-platform.

What gets stored where

  • Workspaces — ordinary folders you choose; each holds its data in open formats (SQLite, Markdown, BibTeX, JSON) under .ros/ plus your files.
  • ~/.researchos/ — the workspace registry, daemon handshake and (if you use sync) your encrypted account material.
  • Uninstalling (sudo apt remove researchos) leaves every workspace untouched.
First launch offers a short tour, and an interactive tour that points at the real buttons, screen by screen. Replay both anytime from Settings → About.