COSMIC

In short: COSMIC is a new Linux desktop from System76, written entirely in the Rust programming language. It is the interface of Pop!_OS and offers a built-in tiling system.

In more detail: Until 2021 Pop!_OS used a customised GNOME interface. Then System76 began its own desktop, which appeared as COSMIC Epoch 1 in late 2025.

In detail

• Technology: Rust, the iced library for the interface, Wayland compositor cosmic-comp.
• Special feature: tiled windows and classic windows usable side by side.
• Applications: own files, terminal, editor and store apps.
• Free: open source (GPL), usable by other distributions as well.
• Note: still young, features and stability develop quickly.

See also: GNOME, Window managers and tiling window managers