Open-Shell 4.4.170

Open-Shell Documentation

System Requirements

To install and use Open-Shell, your system must meet the following requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit) or later
• CPU: Intel Core i5 or AMD equivalent (at least 2.0 GHz)
• RAM: 8 GB or more recommended
• Storage: At least 1 GB of free space available for installation and operation
• GPU: Integrated graphics or a dedicated GPU with at least 512 MB of video memory
• Network Connectivity: A stable internet connection is required for online features and updates

Open-Shell supports the following web browsers:

• Google Chrome (version 84.0.4147.89 or later)
• Mozilla Firefox (version 74.0 or later)

Installation Guide

To install Open-Shell, follow these steps:

1. Download the installation package from the official Open-Shell website (https://github.com/open-shell/open-shell).

2. Run the installer (OpenShellSetup.exe) and select the desired installation location.

3. Choose to install the default shell theme or create a custom theme using the built-in theme editor.

Install Open-Shell with default theme

./OpenShellSetup.exe --install

Create a custom theme

./OpenShellSetup.exe --create-theme mycustomtheme

4. During the installation process, you may encounter issues related to user privileges or registry access. To resolve these issues:
   * Run the installer as an administrator.
   * Ensure that your user account has sufficient permissions to write to the registry and install software.

#### Technical Architecture

Open-Shell is built using the following core technologies:

* **Frontend Framework:** Electron (version 12.0.1) with custom modifications
* **Backend Framework:** Node.js (version 16.15.0) with Express.js (version 4.17.1)
* **Database:** SQLite (version 3.34.1) for local data storage

Open-Shell uses the following software architecture:

* The Electron frontend loads and renders the shell components using JavaScript and HTML.
* The Node.js backend serves as a RESTful API for interacting with the database, handling user input, and updating the shell's state.
* SQLite is used to store local user data, such as theme preferences and settings.

Performance considerations include:

* **Caching:** Open-Shell uses caching mechanisms to improve performance by reducing the number of requests made to the backend API.
* **Async Operations:** Asynchronous operations are used throughout the application to minimize blocking and optimize resource utilization.
* **Lazy Loading:** Non-critical components, such as the theme editor, are loaded lazily on demand to reduce initial loading times.

#### Dependencies

Open-Shell relies on the following dependencies:

* **Node.js (version 16.15.0)**
* **Electron (version 12.0.1)**
* **Express.js (version 4.17.1)**
* **SQLite (version 3.34.1)**

Prerequisite software includes:

* A compatible web browser (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox)
* A valid email address for registration and login purposes

**Warning:** Open-Shell may not be fully compatible with all versions of these dependencies. It is recommended to use the latest available versions to ensure optimal performance and functionality.

#### Notes on Configuration Files and Post-Install Steps

After installation, you can configure your shell settings by editing the `~\AppData\Roaming\OpenShell\settings.json` file.

```json
// Example configuration file
{
  "theme": "default",
  "font": "Arial",
  "fontSize": 12,
  "autoUpdate": true
}

To update your shell settings automatically, ensure that the autoUpdate flag is set to true.