Companion OS

The appliance operating system

Companion OS is the Linux system that runs a Companion appliance. On first start it sets up Docker, local AI models through Ollama and Companion Hub, so the machine can hold your memory and run your apps at home.

In beta. Testing so far has run in virtual machines.

Read the install guideChoose hardware
A Companion Stick, the USB stick that starts the installer.
The Companion Stick starts the installer.

What it sets up

Ready after the first start

Companion OS installs a base system with the pieces the appliance needs. The first start finishes the setup.

Docker

Docker is installed and running. Companion Hub apps run as containers on the machine.

Local AI models

Ollama is set up with two small local models, pulled on first start. AMD machines with unified memory and at least 30 GB of RAM also get a larger model.

Companion Hub

Companion Hub is installed and waits at its pairing screen. With no working network connection, the machine opens its own Wi-Fi hotspot and a setup page, so no keyboard or monitor is needed.

Install

From image to running machine

Four steps. Two of them erase a drive, so check the target before you start.

  1. 01

    Get the image

    Your Companion contact provides the image for your hardware. Check it against SHA256SUMS before you use it.

  2. 02

    Write the stick

    Write the image to a USB stick. This erases everything on the stick.

  3. 03

    Install

    Start the machine from the stick and install. This erases the target disk.

  4. 04

    First start

    Docker, the local models and Companion Hub are set up. Pair the machine in Companion Hub, or use its hotspot.

8 GB
USB stick minimum, amd64 image
64 GB
Internal disk, recommended
UEFI
Target machine firmware
2
Small models on first start

Planning numbers from the install guide. Allow 64 GB or more if the machine also downloads AI models.

First run

What the first run looks like

Two frames from a recording of the first run in a virtual machine. No run on physical hardware is recorded yet.

The Companion OS desktop after setup, with the Companion docs open in a browser window.
The desktop after setup finishes, before Companion Hub is opened.
A desktop notification that says Companion OS is ready.
The notification that Companion OS is ready.

Frames from a recording made in a virtual machine (QEMU), not on physical hardware.

Editions

Two editions

Both editions are in beta. They differ in base system, architecture and installer.

Companion OSUbuntu editionPlasma edition
BaseUbuntu 26.04.1 LTS with the GNOME desktopKDE Plasma 6
Architecturesamd64 and arm64x86-64
InstallerCanonical’s installer, plus an automatic Companion installCalamares, online only
Companion StickYes, on amd64Not yet

Status

Where it stands

Companion OS is in beta. Your Companion contact provides the images for now, and neither edition has a public download yet. Testing has run in virtual machines. No install on a physical PC is recorded yet.

Details

Read the guides

The full guides are in the Companion docs.