<div align="center"> <img alt="ZimaOS logo" src="./assets/20241126-153324.png" width="100">

ZimaOS Public Evaluation Program

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Welcome to join the public evaluation program of ZimaOS. ZimaOS is evolved from CasaOS, and we have built a release version of ZimaOS for better hardware compatibility and update experience. It will perfectly adapt to the Zima series hardware and also be compatible with x86-64 systems with UEFI.

<div align="center"> <img alt="ZimaOS feature image" src="./assets/20250926-154629.png" > </div>

It is built using Buildroot and has stable OTA update functionality. Based on CasaOS, we have built a series of new applications. You can find the specific differences between it and CasaOS from the table below:

<div align="center"> <img alt="ZimaOS vs CasaOS differences" src="./assets/20241126-144801.jpeg" width="640" > </div>

Discussion

This project is just for releasing test images, if you want to discuss related issues, feel free to go to our forum. Icewhale Community

Distribution Features

• Lightweight and memory-efficient
• Minimized I/O
• Over The Air (OTA) updates
• Offline updates
• Better disk management capabilities

Supported hardware

• ZimaBoard
• ZimaBoard2
• ZimaBlade
• ZimaCube
• Generic x86-64 (e.g. Intel NUC)

Getting Started

Installation

1. Preparation

   • Enable UEFI boot in BIOS/UEFI and disable Secure Boot.
   • Back up any important data on the target drive. The selected disk will be erased.

2. Download the image

   • Open Releases and download the installer image.
   • Pick the file named zimaos_XXXXX_installer.img (XXXXX varies by version).

3. Create the USB installer

   • Use Balena Etcher (Windows/macOS/Linux): https://etcher.balena.io/
   • Steps:
     1. Launch Etcher.
     2. Select the downloaded *.img file.
     3. Choose the target USB drive (verify the correct device).
     4. Click Flash, wait for completion, then safely eject the USB drive.
   <div align="center"> <img alt="Balena Etcher: select image" src="./assets/etcher_1.png" width="640"> </div> <div align="center"> <img alt="Balena Etcher: select target USB drive" src="./assets/etcher_2.png" width="640"> </div> <div align="center"> <img alt="Balena Etcher: review selection" src="./assets/etcher_3.png" width="640"> </div> <div align="center"> <img alt="Balena Etcher: flashing in progress" src="./assets/etcher_4.png" width="640"> </div> <div align="center"> <img alt="Balena Etcher: flash complete" src="./assets/etcher_5.png" width="640"> </div>

4. Install ZimaOS

   • Insert the USB installer into the target device (Zima hardware or generic x86‑64 PC).
   • Open the BIOS/Boot Menu and boot from the USB device in UEFI mode.
   • Follow the on‑screen installer to select the target disk and confirm installation (this erases the disk).
   • When installation completes, reboot as prompted and remove the USB installer.
   • Boot from the installed disk (UEFI) to start ZimaOS and finish the initial setup.

ZimaOS.webm

Installation on Proxmox

Follow the link. Thanks @silycr for the tutorial!