Familiar by design
The desktop uses recognisable menus, panels, windows, files and settings. New security ideas should not require an unfamiliar or intimidating interface.
Computing should serve the user, not quietly take control away.
Sentinel Linux is being built as a familiar, transparent and locally controlled desktop for people who want to understand and own their computing environment.
Local-first by default
Your own computer is the starting point for files, settings, applications and assistant workflows. Network services remain optional tools rather than compulsory foundations.
User authority
The person at the keyboard remains the final authority. Optional components should remain optional, important actions should be explained, and hidden or forced dependencies should be avoided.
Your computer should remain useful on its own.
Local-first does not mean “never use the internet.” It means ordinary access to your files, tools and settings starts on your device and does not depend on a remote account. Online repositories, updates and selected services can still add value, but the local system remains the centre of control.
Policy as Packages
System rules should be versioned, visible and repairable.
Sentinel Linux places important security choices, desktop configuration and operating-system policy into normal Debian packages. This makes changes easier to inspect, verify, update, remove, repair and compare instead of hiding them in a one-time script or remote service.
Read the complete policy model
Versioned
Each policy change has an identifiable package version.
Auditable
Installed state can be compared with published package records.
Repairable
Package tools can reinstall or restore managed files.
Updatable
Policy can evolve through controlled repository updates.
AEGIS
Optional assistance, clearly bounded.
AEGIS is intended to help explain systems, organise local information and guide authorised work. It is not intended to become an invisible owner of the machine. Public AEGIS components remain optional, and private AEGIS Prime tooling is not part of the public Sentinel Linux distribution.
How AEGIS works
Bring full control back to the user while keeping the desktop approachable.
Policy users can operate
Updates and rollback are documented, not hidden.
Sentinel Linux uses normal Debian package tools, package-owned restore operations and coordinated release records. A dedicated manual guides non-technical users through previewing, installing, verifying and reversing policy changes.