# Almandine OS

> Almandine OS is a standalone, highly secure x86_64 UEFI operating system and private local AI appliance with minimal external dependencies. It boots directly from UEFI firmware into a single static executable binary with zero Linux kernel, zero background daemons, zero swap partitions, and zero network stack, keeping local AI models 100% resident in physical RAM across dedicated Intel Core Performance Cores.

## Core Mission & Security Architecture

- **Private & Self Contained Local AI**: Runs local AI models completely offline with zero network drivers, zero open ports, and zero telemetry.
- **High Security & Minimal External Dependencies**: Compiles into a single auditable static UEFI executable binary instead of relying on millions of lines of third party operating system packages, shared libraries, or background services.
- **Direct Ring 0 Hardware Execution**: Boots straight from UEFI firmware on x86_64 systems, unlocking AVX2, FMA3, AVX VNNI, and High Performance hardware P-States across dedicated Performance Cores while parking Efficiency Cores.
- **Sub-500 ms Direct Boot**: Boots directly from UEFI firmware into an interactive prompt in under 500 ms with zero kernel overhead.
- **Full In Memory Speed**: Streams the model from storage into physical RAM at boot and runs with zero disk swap or scheduler jitter.

## Hardware Requirements & Model Editions

| Edition | Model Tier | Model Size | Minimum System RAM | Processor Cores | Recommended CPU | Boot Drive |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Compact Edition** (`almandine-os-v0.1-compact.iso`) | Unnamed model small | ~2 GB | 4 GB | 2 to 4 Physical Cores | Modern 64 bit Intel or AMD PC | 4 GB+ USB Drive |
| **Standard Edition** (`almandine-os-v0.1-standard.iso`) | Unnamed model medium | ~3 GB | 8 GB | 6 to 8 Physical Cores | Intel 12th Gen+ or AMD Ryzen | 8 GB+ USB 3.0 Drive |
| **Core i9 & Xeon Appliance** (`almandine-os-v0.1-appliance.iso`) | Unnamed model large | ~16 GB | 24 GB (32 GB recommended) | 8+ Performance Cores | Intel Core i9 / Xeon | 32 GB+ Fast USB 3.2 or SSD |

- **RAM Sizing Formula**: `Minimum System RAM = Model Size + Context Memory + 0.25 GB System Overhead`

## Interactive Console (`almandine>`) Commands

- `ver`: Display Almandine OS version (v0.1, October 2026) and origin.
- `status`: View processor acceleration (AVX2, FMA3, AVX VNNI), power mode, and memory status.
- `cores`: Show Performance Core allocation and Efficiency Core parking.
- `model`: Inspect the active in memory local AI model.
- `bench`: Run local memory throughput and vector compute benchmark.
- `help`: List available shell commands or prompt the local AI model directly.

## Key Pages

- [Almandine OS Main Page](https://almandine-os.org/): Overview, mission, interactive `almandine>` REPL simulator, hardware requirements table, RAM calculator, and `.iso` downloads.
- [Garnet Hill & Almandine Inspiration](https://almandine-os.org/garnet-hill/): Mineralogical origin of the Almandine garnet (`Fe3Al2(SiO4)3`, cubic space group `Ia-3d`, `{211}` trapezohedral and `{110}` dodecahedral crystal habits) at Garnet Hill in Ely, White Pine County, Nevada (7,050 ft).
- [Architecture & Core Silicon Engineering](https://almandine-os.org/details/): Layered software stack, 2 MiB aligned Write Back RAM arena, and Ring 0 Intel Core hybrid silicon tuning.
- [Quick Start & Dual Partition USB Builder](https://almandine-os.org/quickstart/): QEMU/KVM development workflow and dual partition GPT USB flasher.
- [Color Theme Specification](https://almandine-os.org/colors/): 24 bit TrueColor ANSI and UEFI GOP 32 bit RGB palette inspired by Almandine garnet and Garnet Hill rhyolite.