Rewriting Files for every form factor

How we rebuilt the file manager with an adaptive sidebar, instant search and light and dark themes.

Kenji WatanabeJuly 22, 20261 min read

Files is the app people open most. The rewrite focused on three things: adaptive layout, instant search and calmer visuals.

Instant search

A background indexer keeps an SQLite FTS5 index of file names and metadata. Queries return in under 20 ms on a 500,000 file home directory.

Shell Engineer

Kenji works on the compositor and the adaptive shell. Previously hacked on Wayland compositors and embedded Linux.

Engineering Convergence
One codebase, every screen: how the adaptive shell works
A tour of the compositor, the form-factor service and the breakpoint system that lets AbstractOS reshape itself when you dock a phone.
KW
Kenji WatanabeSeptember 30, 20261 min read
Releases Convergence
Introducing AbstractOS 0.1 “Casimir”
Our first public alpha is here. One Linux system that adapts to your phone, tablet and desktop, with a new shell, Files, Turbine and the installer.
AM
Ada MorenoOctober 14, 20261 min read
Design
Designing Exposition, a calmer way to switch apps
From a whiteboard sketch to the shipped overview: the principles, false starts and details behind Exposition.
PR
Priya RamanSeptember 12, 20261 min read