Tilo

Add the desktop to Arch Linux

Install the supported Tilo session package through pacman. The rest of the Arch system stays under the same package manager and configuration you use now.

Before changing packages

  • Perform a full system upgrade; partial upgrades are not supported.
  • Confirm that a supported display manager is enabled.
  • Close applications before signing out.

1. Check your system

Check that this computer runs Arch Linux on x86-64, then perform a full system upgrade. The public repository does not require an account or access token.

2. Add the Tilo repository

These commands add the signed public Tilo package repository to your existing package manager.

# Add this block to /etc/pacman.conf:
[qos.stable.code.podesta.ai]
SigLevel = Required
Server = https://code.podesta.ai/api/packages/qos/arch/stable/$arch

# Then import and locally trust the repository signing key:
curl -fsSL https://code.podesta.ai/api/packages/qos/arch/repository.key \
  -o tilo-forgejo.gpg
sudo pacman-key --add tilo-forgejo.gpg
sudo pacman-key --lsign-key '[email protected]'
rm tilo-forgejo.gpg

3. Install the session

sudo pacman -Syu tilo-session

When installation finishes, sign out, choose Tilo from the display manager's session menu, and sign in. Choose the previous session there to switch back.

First sign-in

The first-start screen creates a new Tilo collaboration identity or connects this device with an existing recovery copy. It then offers a short, skippable tour. It does not copy another desktop's extensions or private settings.

Your existing home directory remains available. Tilo creates a private Personal workspace; nothing is shared until you invite someone. Normal Linux applications appear in search and run normally. Native Tilo apps additionally gain workspace history, shared state and the common action interface.

Update

sudo pacman -Syu

The desktop session follows the distribution's update and rollback rules. Installing it as a session does not turn the host distribution into the image-based Tilo operating system.

Switch back or remove it

To switch desktops, sign out and select the previous session at the sign-in screen. This changes no files.

To remove the Tilo package, first sign in to another desktop, then run:

sudo pacman -Rns tilo-session

Removing the session leaves your workspace data in your home directory. Export or delete it separately from Settings → Workspaces. Read Remove Tilo safely before removing the last copy.