Getting started

postmarketOS is based on Alpine linux so some questions that may seem unanswered here on our wiki can be supplemented by the Alpine wiki. Currently, postmarketOS is still in heavy development so it is not suitable for daily use, nor for non-technical (or at least willing to learn) users.

Users/Newbies

Make sure to check out the Terminal Cheat Sheet!

Currently, postmarketOS is still in heavy development, whilst it is able to provide the basic functionality you'd expect from a phone (on supported devices) it is definitely not competitive with mainstream mobile Operating Systems. If you're an early adopter looking for a more stable device to get familiar with postmarketOS, it is recommended that you get a PinePhone (Mobile) or a Raspberry Pi 4 (single board computer) to use, as their open nature has enabled more stability than other hacked devices. Check out the Devices page to see what other devices are supported.

• Understanding Alpine linux, the upstream distribution (redirects to Alpine linux wiki)
• search installable packages

Hobbyists/Tinkerers

Understanding the differences between postmarketOS and a standard Linux distribution is instrumental in tinkering around. It is strongly recommended that you read through Alpine linuxs wiki to understand the differences like BusyBox, musl libc, and OpenRC

• Bug reporting and tracking fixes you make are very important to the health of the project. Read through the Git workflow
• You can build and run python programs on device, even using libraries Kivy or Pocketsphinx if you want a more complex setup
• Waydroid allows a user to install Android applications on their device. We recommend against using closed source proprietary software such as Android applications, but if you need certain apps for your device to be a daily driver (such as Uber) then this may be an approach you want to consider
• UI frameworks

postmarketOS Developers/Kernel Hackers

• Understanding the boot process
• Porting to a new device
• Dumping your device
• Getting started with low level
• Information for Qualcomm based devices
• Understanding device firmware