[release]: https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/zimaos-rauc/releases
[release-badge]: https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/IceWhaleTech/zimaos-rauc?include_prereleases&style=flat-square
[download]: https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/zimaos-rauc/releases
[download-badge]: https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/IceWhaleTech/zimaos-rauc/total?style=flat-square
[community]: https://icewhale.community/t/welcome-to-the-zimaos-open-beta-program/295
[community-badge]: https://img.shields.io/badge/Community-Forum-Blue?style=flat-square

<div align="center">
<img alt="ZimaOS logo" src="https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS/raw/main/assets/20241126-153324.png" width="100">


# ZimaOS Public Evaluation Program

[![release][release-badge]][release]
[![download][download-badge]][download]
[![community][community-badge]][community]

[![X (formerly Twitter) Follow](https://img.shields.io/twitter/follow/ZimaSpace?style=flat-square&logo=X&label=Contact%20Us%20%40%20ZimaSpace&labelColor=555&color=555&link=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3J3P03Q)](http://bit.ly/3J3P03Q)
[![Facebook  Follow](https://img.shields.io/badge/ZimaSpace-1877F2?style=flat-square&logo=Facebook&logoColor=fff&label=Contact%20Us&labelColor=555&color=162453)](http://bit.ly/4mvPMoN)

</div>

Welcome to join the public evaluation program of ZimaOS. ZimaOS is evolved from CasaOS, and we have built a release version of ZimaOS for better hardware compatibility and update experience. It will perfectly adapt to the Zima series hardware and also be compatible with x86-64 systems with UEFI.
<div align="center">
   <img alt="ZimaOS feature image" src="https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS/raw/main/assets/20250926-154629.png" >
</div>

It is built using Buildroot and has stable OTA update functionality. Based on CasaOS, we have built a series of new applications. You can find the specific differences between it and CasaOS from the table below:
<div align="center">
   <img alt="ZimaOS vs CasaOS differences" src="https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS/raw/main/assets/20241126-144801.jpeg" width="640" >
</div>

## Discussion

This project is just for releasing test images, if you want to discuss related issues, feel free to go to our forum.
[Icewhale Community](https://icewhale.community/t/welcome-to-the-zimaos-open-beta-program/295)

## Distribution Features

- Lightweight and memory-efficient
- Minimized I/O
- Over The Air (OTA) updates
- Offline updates
- Better disk management capabilities

## Supported hardware

- ZimaBoard
- ZimaBoard2
- ZimaBlade
- ZimaCube
- Generic x86-64 (e.g. Intel NUC)

## Getting Started

### Installation

1. Preparation
   - Enable UEFI boot in BIOS/UEFI and disable Secure Boot.
   - Back up any important data on the target drive. The selected disk will be erased.

2. Download the image
   - Open [`Releases`](https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS/releases/latest) and download the installer image.
   - Pick the file named `zimaos_XXXXX_installer.img` (`XXXXX` varies by version).

3. Create the USB installer
   - Use Balena Etcher (Windows/macOS/Linux): [`https://etcher.balena.io/`](https://etcher.balena.io/)
   - Steps:
     1) Launch Etcher.
     2) Select the downloaded `*.img` file.
     3) Choose the target USB drive (verify the correct device).
     4) Click Flash, wait for completion, then safely eject the USB drive.

   <div align="center">
      <img alt="Balena Etcher: select image" src="https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS/raw/main/assets/etcher_1.png" width="640">
   </div>
   <div align="center">
      <img alt="Balena Etcher: select target USB drive" src="https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS/raw/main/assets/etcher_2.png" width="640">
   </div>
   <div align="center">
      <img alt="Balena Etcher: review selection" src="https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS/raw/main/assets/etcher_3.png" width="640">
   </div>
   <div align="center">
      <img alt="Balena Etcher: flashing in progress" src="https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS/raw/main/assets/etcher_4.png" width="640">
   </div>
   <div align="center">
      <img alt="Balena Etcher: flash complete" src="https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/ZimaOS/raw/main/assets/etcher_5.png" width="640">
   </div>

4. Install ZimaOS
   - Insert the USB installer into the target device (Zima hardware or generic x86‑64 PC).
   - Open the BIOS/Boot Menu and boot from the USB device in UEFI mode.
   - Follow the on‑screen installer to select the target disk and confirm installation (this erases the disk).
   - When installation completes, reboot as prompted and remove the USB installer.
   - Boot from the installed disk (UEFI) to start ZimaOS and finish the initial setup.

<video src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/cb81bf93-a89b-46a8-afc6-056efb5483e3" width="100%" controls autoplay></video>

## Installation on Proxmox

[Follow the link](https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/zimaos-rauc/issues/5).  Thanks [@silycr](https://github.com/silycr) for the tutorial!