# NucleoOS

> NucleoOS turns the M5Stack Cardputer and Cardputer ADV into a real computer: offline AI assistant, native games, emulators and a desktop in your browser.

NucleoOS is an operating system for the M5Stack Cardputer. One ESP32-S3 with 512 KB of RAM and no PSRAM runs real apps on its own 240 × 135 screen — and serves a full desktop to any browser on your Wi-Fi.

- Latest release: v0.4.0 (2026-09-24). Runs on the original M5Stack Cardputer and the Cardputer ADV (one universal firmware).
- Free for noncommercial use (PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0).

## Main pages

- [NucleoOS — product page](https://nucleoos.indexhub.it/cardputer/): features, ANIMA offline assistant, hardware, install steps, FAQ
- [Italiano](https://nucleoos.indexhub.it/cardputer/it/)
- [Deutsch](https://nucleoos.indexhub.it/cardputer/de/)
- [Español](https://nucleoos.indexhub.it/cardputer/es/)
- [Français](https://nucleoos.indexhub.it/cardputer/fr/)
- [Legal information and privacy](https://nucleoos.indexhub.it/cardputer/legal/)
- [Full text of this site for language models](https://nucleoos.indexhub.it/cardputer/llms-full.txt)

## Docs

- [User guide](https://nucleoos.indexhub.it/cardputer/manual/): install, first boot, pairing, the launcher, ANIMA, updates, troubleshooting
- [Changelog](https://nucleoos.indexhub.it/cardputer/changelog/): what is new in each release
- [Documentation index](https://github.com/indecenti/NucleoOs/blob/main/docs/README.md)
- [Source code](https://github.com/indecenti/NucleoOs)
- [Web installer](https://indecenti.github.io/NucleoOs/)

## Not to be confused with

- The STM32 "Nucleo" development boards by STMicroelectronics (unrelated hardware).
- NucleoOS-P4 — a separate sister edition by the same author for the Guition ESP32-P4 7" touchscreen board.
- Other unrelated projects that share the name.

## FAQ

### Does NucleoOS work on the Cardputer ADV?

Yes. One universal firmware runs on both the original M5Stack Cardputer and the Cardputer ADV: it detects the board at boot and loads the right keyboard and audio drivers.

### Is NucleoOS free?

It is free for personal use, study, research, hobby projects, education and non-profits under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0. Commercial use needs the author’s permission.

### How do I install NucleoOS on a Cardputer?

Use the web installer in Chrome or Edge on a desktop computer with a USB-C cable, then copy the SD package onto a FAT32 microSD card. There is nothing to install on your PC.

### Do I need a phone, a PC or the internet to use it?

No. The native interface runs on the Cardputer by itself, and ANIMA answers offline. A browser on the same Wi-Fi adds the full desktop; the internet is only needed for online features you choose.

### Which languages does NucleoOS support?

The interface is available in English, Italian, German, Spanish and French, and you can switch at any time. The offline assistant ANIMA and its voice understand Italian and English.

### Where is the manual?

The user guide is on GitHub, next to the source code, so it always matches the current release. Read the user guide.