![[Custom DE] I am 16, and I'm solo-building a non-Linux looking UI for an Arch-based OS that runs .exe and .apk apps natively. Here is the desktop concept.](https://preview.redd.it/tsl82vp37x0h1.jpeg?auto=webp&s=7d9117f4578dd305508f60d2b3bb8839f81e30d4)
[Custom DE] I am 16, and I'm solo-building a non-Linux looking UI for an Arch-based OS that runs .exe and .apk apps natively. Here is the desktop concept.
**Hi Devs,
I am 16 years old, and for the past few months, I have been designing a custom operating system solo. My goal is to create an OS that completely hides the traditional Linux ecosystem under a completely modern, conceptual user interface, while running Windows (.exe) and Android (.apk) applications seamlessly out of the box.
The OS is built on an Arch Linux base, but features a custom-built desktop environment and window manager.
How it works under the hood:
- Windows (.exe) files are routed silently through a pre-configured Wine/Proton layer.
- Android (.apk) files run via a containerised Waydroid layer integrated at the kernel level.
- Both run in multi-window mode, meaning they look like native windows on the custom desktop.
Since I am currently building out the backend integration, I want to get early feedback from senior engineers on the visual direction.
I would love to get your thoughts on the architecture, the UI approach, and what technical hurdles I should prepare for next as a solo young developer.**