November 14th, 2024

WebVM 2.0: A complete Linux Desktop Environment in the browser via WebAssembly

WebVM 2.0 is a web-based Linux desktop environment that uses WebAssembly, featuring advanced virtualization, Xorg support, secure networking with Tailscale, and a user-friendly design for various applications.

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WebVM 2.0: A complete Linux Desktop Environment in the browser via WebAssembly

WebVM 2.0 is a comprehensive Linux desktop environment that operates entirely within a web browser, utilizing WebAssembly technology. This updated version enhances the original WebVM, which was launched in 2022, by introducing a more advanced virtualization engine, support for Xorg, and a redesigned user experience. WebVM allows users to run unmodified Linux distributions directly in their browsers, thanks to the CheerpX virtualization engine, which efficiently converts x86 instructions into WebAssembly. The system supports persistent data storage and networking through a private layer integrated with Tailscale, enabling secure internet connectivity. WebVM's architecture includes a streaming disk backend that dynamically loads disk blocks, ensuring low-latency performance. The environment is designed to be user-friendly, making it suitable for various applications, including educational purposes. The latest release also supports graphical applications through the Xorg server, with plans for future enhancements to include more complex desktop environments. WebVM is a free and open-source project, encouraging community contributions and modifications.

- WebVM 2.0 allows a full Linux desktop experience in modern web browsers.

- It utilizes CheerpX for virtualization, enabling the execution of unmodified x86 binaries.

- The system features a streaming disk backend for efficient data loading and local persistence.

- Tailscale integration provides secure networking capabilities.

- WebVM is open-source, promoting community involvement and educational use.

Link Icon 9 comments
By @apignotti - 5 months
Hello HN! Lead dev of WebVM and CTO of Leaning Technologies here.

Happy to answer any question.

By @benob - 5 months
Firefox support is not great. Typing through the terminal eats some keystrokes.
By @usemycomputer - 5 months
I clicked and see the operating system screen, but how can I use a console?, there are only ads at the sides.
By @mamidon - 5 months
Sounds like cool tech, but why would I want to run Linux in my browser? What use cases does this enable?

Thanks

By @sharpshadow - 5 months
Can one not run a VPN locally instead of using the service?
By @znpy - 5 months
we've made it full circle ?
By @anonymous344 - 5 months
does the curl command work from inside that?