Puter is an open-source internet operating system designed to function as a full-featured web-based desktop environment. It integrates file management, cloud storage, application hosting, and remote access into a single interface accessible via any modern browser. Unlike traditional cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive, Puter offers a complete desktop experience with native-like applications, a file system, and an app store—all self-hostable. This makes it ideal for users seeking privacy-focused alternatives to proprietary cloud platforms, developers wanting a web-based development environment, or organizations looking for a customizable remote desktop solution. With its modular architecture and AGPL-3.0 licensing, Puter also serves as an educational platform for learning web development, distributed systems, and cloud computing.
What You Get
- Self-hostable web desktop - Run a full graphical operating system in your browser, with file explorer, app launcher, and settings panel—all hosted on your own server.
- Built-in cloud storage - Store files, documents, and media with a Dropbox-like interface that you control, including support for custom storage backends.
- Web app platform - Install and run web applications directly within Puter via its App Center, including productivity tools, games, and utilities.
- Remote desktop capability - Access your Puter instance from any device with a browser, turning servers or workstations into accessible desktop environments.
- Extensible architecture - Develop and publish custom apps using the Puter SDK, with full access to file system APIs and UI components.
- Multi-platform deployment - Deploy Puter via npm, Docker, or Docker Compose on Linux, macOS, or Windows with consistent behavior across environments.
Common Use Cases
- Building a private cloud storage solution - Replace Dropbox or Google Drive with a self-hosted, feature-rich file manager that supports drag-and-drop uploads, folder sharing, and real-time sync—all under your control.
- Creating a web-based development workstation - Use Puter as a lightweight remote desktop for coding, with built-in terminal access and app installation to run VS Code-like editors in-browser.
- Privacy-focused personal computing - Avoid cloud vendor lock-in by hosting your files and apps on a home server or VPS, ensuring data never leaves your infrastructure.
- DevOps teams managing remote servers - Deploy Puter on headless Linux servers to provide a GUI-based interface for non-technical users or for visual monitoring and file management.
- Educational projects in web OS development - Learn how to build a full GUI operating system using JavaScript, Electron-like architecture, and client-server file systems through hands-on contribution.
Under The Hood
Puter is a self-hosted operating system platform that merges a modular backend with a flexible frontend, enabling users to run a full-featured file system and application environment locally. It emphasizes extensibility, component-based architecture, and runtime adaptability to support diverse deployment scenarios.
Architecture
Puter adopts a layered and modular architecture designed for scalability and customization. It separates backend services, frontend UI, and extension systems to support diverse functionality.
- Modular kernel design enables runtime customization and selective module loading for flexible deployment
- Service-oriented architecture with clear separation between core components and extensions
- Event-driven communication through extension systems enhances decoupling and responsiveness
Tech Stack
The project leverages modern web technologies with a strong emphasis on JavaScript and TypeScript for full-stack development.
- Built primarily with JavaScript and TypeScript, using Node.js and React-based frontend components
- Integrates Express.js for backend routing and a wide array of third-party services like OpenAI and email providers
- Utilizes ESLint, Prettier, and Docker for code quality, formatting, and deployment consistency
- Employs Vitest and Playwright for multi-layered testing strategies across the system
Code Quality
Puter maintains a mature codebase with consistent patterns and comprehensive testing practices that support its complex functionality.
- Extensive test coverage includes unit, integration, and end-to-end testing for key system components
- Error handling follows standardized patterns with centralized logging and user feedback mechanisms
- Code formatting and linting are enforced consistently across the codebase to ensure readability
What Makes It Unique
Puter introduces innovative approaches to distributed systems and extensibility that distinguish it from traditional platforms.
- Runtime modular customization allows for minimal to full-featured deployments tailored to user needs
- Event-driven extension system enables flexible component interaction and real-time service hooks
- Unified AI abstraction and permission model across modules provide cross-service interoperability
- Developer-friendly extension framework with TypeScript support and detailed documentation lowers the barrier to customization