The Top Bar

The top bar contains system information and quick-access controls, including the System menu, clock, weather, and Quick Settings.

Use the clock to access date and time information, or Quick Settings to access frequently used settings, or the OS logo button at the top left to access System Menu.

The Dock

The dock at the bottom provides quick access to apps, including Files, Browser, Settings, Terminal, Paint, and more.

Click an icon to open or focus its app. Running apps have visual indicators; minimized apps have a separate state. You can change these indicators and enable Stretch Dock in Settings → Interface.

Managing Windows

• Move: Drag a window by its title bar.
• Resize: Drag a resizable window from its edges or corners.
• Minimize: Hide a window while keeping it running; click its dock icon to bring it back.
• Maximize: Expand a supported window to the available workspace.
• Restore: Return a maximized window to its previous size.
• Close: Close the app window.
• Switch: Click a window or its dock icon to bring it to the front.

You can also double-click a title bar to maximize or restore supported windows if that option is enabled in Settings → Interface. Some apps use fixed-size windows.

Quick Settings

Open Quick Settings using the button at the top right. Adjust the master volume, mute or unmute sound, toggle Dark Mode, or toggle Find.

System Menu

Open System Menu (top left) from the top bar to access Sign out, Shut down and Restart options.

Context Menus

Right-click supported items in Files to access actions such as Rename and Delete. Click elsewhere to dismiss a menu. Standard text-editing context menus are still available inside input fields.

Files

Browse Fluetro’s virtual filesystem using the navigation pane, address bar, and Back/Forward buttons. Double-click folders to open them, or double-click supported application files to launch their apps.

Create folders and text files, select items to view information in the Details pane, and use available controls or right-click menus to rename, delete, and sort items. User-created files and folders are saved locally. Some system locations are protected, and some file types cannot be opened.

Files also includes a Gallery for browsing the available images. You can toggle the navigation and details panes.

Browser

Use Fluetro's built-in Browser application to explore supported web content within your desktop environment.

Some websites may prevent themselves from being displayed inside embedded browser frames.

Memo

Open Memo to write and edit text. It's useful for quick notes, ideas, and simple text-based work.

Paint

Use Paint for quick drawings and sketches. Select an available drawing tool and interact with the canvas to create your artwork.

Use the application's save or export options, where available, to keep your work.

Music Player

Listen to tracks from Fluetro’s music library. Use Play/Pause, Previous/Next, the seek bar, and the queue to control playback.

Music is fetched online, so loading time depends on your connection. Playback follows Fluetro’s master volume and mute settings.

Video Player

Use Video Player to play supported video content. Playback volume is also controlled by Fluetro's system audio settings.

Available formats depend on your browser's media support.

Settings

Settings is where you configure wallpapers, appearance, clock preferences, interface behavior, location, and local data options.

Calculator

Perform basic calculations using the on-screen buttons or supported keyboard input.

Terminal

Use the built-in command-line-style interface for supported Fluetro commands. Type guide to reopen this Guide.

Gaming Hub

Play games including Minesweeper, 2048, Minecraft Classic, Dino Runner, Surf, Pac-Man, and Flappy Bird. Some games are hosted externally and need an internet connection.

Daily Brief (AI Brief)

View the personalized Daily Brief experience. It may request location permission or use approximate IP-based location when permission is denied; its location can differ from Fluetro’s top-bar weather.

Photo Viewer

Open supported image files from Files to view them in Fluetro.

Python IDE

Open the web-based Python IDE to write and run Python code. It loads an external application and needs an internet connection.

Cute Pomodoro Timer

Use the timer app to organize focus sessions and breaks.

Guide

Return here to learn about the desktop, applications, settings, and troubleshooting.

Other Applications

Explore the dock for more apps, including the utilities and games listed above. Some apps load web content and require an internet connection.

Changing Your Wallpaper

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Personalization.
3. Choose one of the available wallpapers.
4. If you want your own image, use the custom wallpaper option and select an image file.

Fluetro can also choose accent colors automatically to match its built-in wallpapers.

Light and Dark Themes

Open Settings → Personalization and use the Dark Mode switch to change the appearance of Fluetro's interface.

Accent Colors

In Settings → Personalization, select Automatic or Custom accent colors. For a custom color, enter a valid hexadecimal value such as #008bb6 .

Time and Date

Open Settings → Time & Date to enable the 24-hour clock, choose the extended date display, or toggle the analog and extended digital clock in the clock flyout.

Interface Preferences

Under Settings → Interface, you can adjust the dock's behavior, open-app highlighting, and title-bar double-click actions.

Audio

Adjust the volume slider in Quick Settings to change Fluetro’s master volume. Use the Sound button or Ctrl + M to mute and unmute supported audio.

These controls affect supported media and system sounds.

Keyboard

Mouse Actions

Tip

Some keyboard shortcuts may behave differently when your browser or an input field has focus.

No Sound?

1. Open Quick Settings and check the volume slider.
2. Make sure Fluetro is not muted.
3. Check whether the browser tab is muted.
4. Interact with the page before trying playback again.

Browsers may block audio until you interact with the page.

Want to revisit the Guide?

Type guide in Terminal or find the Guide using the Find search bar. It also opens automatically on your first sign-in.

Weird or broken UI?

Fluetro was primarily designed around a 1080p desktop display. Other screen sizes or browser zoom levels may cause layout issues. Try a desktop browser at 100% zoom or fullscreen mode (F11).

What not to do?

Do not attempt to open the System folder, even by using the address bar.

Weather Not Updating?

Check your internet connection and the weather location configured in Settings → Privacy & Security. The top-bar weather uses a manually configured location, while Daily Brief has separate location handling.

An Application Isn't Responding?

Try closing and reopening the application. If Fluetro remains unresponsive, refresh the browser page. Be aware that unsaved work may be lost.

Why Won't a Website Open in Browser?

Some websites block embedding for security reasons. This is a browser or website restriction rather than necessarily a problem with Fluetro.

Managing Local Data

Fluetro uses browser-based storage for certain settings and user content. Clearing your browser's site data may remove saved preferences and locally stored information.

Under Settings → Privacy & Security, you can also configure whether Find history and Memo content are cleared on shutdown or restart.

Resetting Fluetro

Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Reset Fluetro and select Reset. Read the confirmation carefully before proceeding.

Warning: Resetting removes settings and user-created content covered by Fluetro's reset feature. This may not be reversible.

A web-based desktop environment inspired by Fluent and mac design styles.

Version 1.0

About This Project

Fluetro OS is a browser-based desktop simulation featuring applications, customizable appearance, window management, and system utilities.

It's designed as a creative web development project, not a fully functional operating system.

Learn More

Open Settings → About for version and platform information, along with links to the project’s Stardance and GitHub pages.