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Add MPL-2.0 & asset licenses; expand README

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Add a full Mozilla Public License v2.0 (LICENSE) and a new ASSETS-LICENSE.md that clarifies Nebula branding, artwork, and other non-code assets are not covered by MPL and are All Rights Reserved unless stated otherwise. Update README.md with a detailed project overview: CEF migration, project status, goals, distribution direction, planned features, architecture notes, build instructions, and explicit licensing guidance separating source code (MPL-2.0) from branding assets and documentation.
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Andrew Zambazos
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ASSETS-LICENSE.md
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# Nebula Browser Asset License
The source code of Nebula Browser is licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, as described in the LICENSE file.
However, the Nebula Browser name, logo, icons, artwork, screenshots, visual identity, branding materials, and other non-code assets are not automatically covered by the MPL-2.0 license.
Unless otherwise stated, these assets are All Rights Reserved.
You may not use the Nebula Browser name, logo, or branding in a way that suggests endorsement, official status, or affiliation with the Nebula Project without permission.
Community forks are welcome, but they should use their own name and branding unless permission is granted.
LICENSE
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Mozilla Public License Version 2.0
==================================
1. Definitions
--------------
1.1. "Contributor"
means each individual or legal entity that creates, contributes to
the creation of, or owns Covered Software.
1.2. "Contributor Version"
means the combination of the Contributions of others (if any) used
by a Contributor and that particular Contributor's Contribution.
1.3. "Contribution"
means Covered Software of a particular Contributor.
1.4. "Covered Software"
means Source Code Form to which the initial Contributor has attached
the notice in Exhibit A, the Executable Form of such Source Code
Form, and Modifications of such Source Code Form, in each case
including portions thereof.
1.5. "Incompatible With Secondary Licenses"
means
(a) that the initial Contributor has attached the notice described
in Exhibit B to the Covered Software; or
(b) that the Covered Software was made available under the terms of
version 1.1 or earlier of the License, but not also under the
terms of a Secondary License.
1.6. "Executable Form"
means any form of the work other than Source Code Form.
1.7. "Larger Work"
means a work that combines Covered Software with other material, in
a separate file or files, that is not Covered Software.
1.8. "License"
means this document.
1.9. "Licensable"
means having the right to grant, to the maximum extent possible,
whether at the time of the initial grant or subsequently, any and
all of the rights conveyed by this License.
1.10. "Modifications"
means any of the following:
(a) any file in Source Code Form that results from an addition to,
deletion from, or modification of the contents of Covered
Software; or
(b) any new file in Source Code Form that contains any Covered
Software.
1.11. "Patent Claims" of a Contributor
means any patent claim(s), including without limitation, method,
process, and apparatus claims, in any patent Licensable by such
Contributor that would be infringed, but for the grant of the
License, by the making, using, selling, offering for sale, having
made, import, or transfer of either its Contributions or its
Contributor Version.
1.12. "Secondary License"
means either the GNU General Public License, Version 2.0, the GNU
Lesser General Public License, Version 2.1, the GNU Affero General
Public License, Version 3.0, or any later versions of those
licenses.
1.13. "Source Code Form"
means the form of the work preferred for making modifications.
1.14. "You" (or "Your")
means an individual or a legal entity exercising rights under this
License. For legal entities, "You" includes any entity that
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with You. For
purposes of this definition, "control" means (a) the power, direct
or indirect, to cause the direction or management of such entity,
whether by contract or otherwise, or (b) ownership of more than
fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares or beneficial
ownership of such entity.
2. License Grants and Conditions
--------------------------------
2.1. Grants
Each Contributor hereby grants You a world-wide, royalty-free,
non-exclusive license:
(a) under intellectual property rights (other than patent or trademark)
Licensable by such Contributor to use, reproduce, make available,
modify, display, perform, distribute, and otherwise exploit its
Contributions, either on an unmodified basis, with Modifications, or
as part of a Larger Work; and
(b) under Patent Claims of such Contributor to make, use, sell, offer
for sale, have made, import, and otherwise transfer either its
Contributions or its Contributor Version.
2.2. Effective Date
The licenses granted in Section 2.1 with respect to any Contribution
become effective for each Contribution on the date the Contributor first
distributes such Contribution.
2.3. Limitations on Grant Scope
The licenses granted in this Section 2 are the only rights granted under
this License. No additional rights or licenses will be implied from the
distribution or licensing of Covered Software under this License.
Notwithstanding Section 2.1(b) above, no patent license is granted by a
Contributor:
(a) for any code that a Contributor has removed from Covered Software;
or
(b) for infringements caused by: (i) Your and any other third party's
modifications of Covered Software, or (ii) the combination of its
Contributions with other software (except as part of its Contributor
Version); or
(c) under Patent Claims infringed by Covered Software in the absence of
its Contributions.
This License does not grant any rights in the trademarks, service marks,
or logos of any Contributor (except as may be necessary to comply with
the notice requirements in Section 3.4).
2.4. Subsequent Licenses
No Contributor makes additional grants as a result of Your choice to
distribute the Covered Software under a subsequent version of this
License (see Section 10.2) or under the terms of a Secondary License (if
permitted under the terms of Section 3.3).
2.5. Representation
Each Contributor represents that the Contributor believes its
Contributions are its original creation(s) or it has sufficient rights
to grant the rights to its Contributions conveyed by this License.
2.6. Fair Use
This License is not intended to limit any rights You have under
applicable copyright doctrines of fair use, fair dealing, or other
equivalents.
2.7. Conditions
Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4 are conditions of the licenses granted
in Section 2.1.
3. Responsibilities
-------------------
3.1. Distribution of Source Form
All distribution of Covered Software in Source Code Form, including any
Modifications that You create or to which You contribute, must be under
the terms of this License. You must inform recipients that the Source
Code Form of the Covered Software is governed by the terms of this
License, and how they can obtain a copy of this License. You may not
attempt to alter or restrict the recipients' rights in the Source Code
Form.
3.2. Distribution of Executable Form
If You distribute Covered Software in Executable Form then:
(a) such Covered Software must also be made available in Source Code
Form, as described in Section 3.1, and You must inform recipients of
the Executable Form how they can obtain a copy of such Source Code
Form by reasonable means in a timely manner, at a charge no more
than the cost of distribution to the recipient; and
(b) You may distribute such Executable Form under the terms of this
License, or sublicense it under different terms, provided that the
license for the Executable Form does not attempt to limit or alter
the recipients' rights in the Source Code Form under this License.
3.3. Distribution of a Larger Work
You may create and distribute a Larger Work under terms of Your choice,
provided that You also comply with the requirements of this License for
the Covered Software. If the Larger Work is a combination of Covered
Software with a work governed by one or more Secondary Licenses, and the
Covered Software is not Incompatible With Secondary Licenses, this
License permits You to additionally distribute such Covered Software
under the terms of such Secondary License(s), so that the recipient of
the Larger Work may, at their option, further distribute the Covered
Software under the terms of either this License or such Secondary
License(s).
3.4. Notices
You may not remove or alter the substance of any license notices
(including copyright notices, patent notices, disclaimers of warranty,
or limitations of liability) contained within the Source Code Form of
the Covered Software, except that You may alter any license notices to
the extent required to remedy known factual inaccuracies.
3.5. Application of Additional Terms
You may choose to offer, and to charge a fee for, warranty, support,
indemnity or liability obligations to one or more recipients of Covered
Software. However, You may do so only on Your own behalf, and not on
behalf of any Contributor. You must make it absolutely clear that any
such warranty, support, indemnity, or liability obligation is offered by
You alone, and You hereby agree to indemnify every Contributor for any
liability incurred by such Contributor as a result of warranty, support,
indemnity or liability terms You offer. You may include additional
disclaimers of warranty and limitations of liability specific to any
jurisdiction.
4. Inability to Comply Due to Statute or Regulation
---------------------------------------------------
If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this
License with respect to some or all of the Covered Software due to
statute, judicial order, or regulation then You must: (a) comply with
the terms of this License to the maximum extent possible; and (b)
describe the limitations and the code they affect. Such description must
be placed in a text file included with all distributions of the Covered
Software under this License. Except to the extent prohibited by statute
or regulation, such description must be sufficiently detailed for a
recipient of ordinary skill to be able to understand it.
5. Termination
--------------
5.1. The rights granted under this License will terminate automatically
if You fail to comply with any of its terms. However, if You become
compliant, then the rights granted under this License from a particular
Contributor are reinstated (a) provisionally, unless and until such
Contributor explicitly and finally terminates Your grants, and (b) on an
ongoing basis, if such Contributor fails to notify You of the
non-compliance by some reasonable means prior to 60 days after You have
come back into compliance. Moreover, Your grants from a particular
Contributor are reinstated on an ongoing basis if such Contributor
notifies You of the non-compliance by some reasonable means, this is the
first time You have received notice of non-compliance with this License
from such Contributor, and You become compliant prior to 30 days after
Your receipt of the notice.
5.2. If You initiate litigation against any entity by asserting a patent
infringement claim (excluding declaratory judgment actions,
counter-claims, and cross-claims) alleging that a Contributor Version
directly or indirectly infringes any patent, then the rights granted to
You by any and all Contributors for the Covered Software under Section
2.1 of this License shall terminate.
5.3. In the event of termination under Sections 5.1 or 5.2 above, all
end user license agreements (excluding distributors and resellers) which
have been validly granted by You or Your distributors under this License
prior to termination shall survive termination.
************************************************************************
* *
* 6. Disclaimer of Warranty *
* ------------------------- *
* *
* Covered Software is provided under this License on an "as is" *
* basis, without warranty of any kind, either expressed, implied, or *
* statutory, including, without limitation, warranties that the *
* Covered Software is free of defects, merchantable, fit for a *
* particular purpose or non-infringing. The entire risk as to the *
* quality and performance of the Covered Software is with You. *
* Should any Covered Software prove defective in any respect, You *
* (not any Contributor) assume the cost of any necessary servicing, *
* repair, or correction. This disclaimer of warranty constitutes an *
* essential part of this License. No use of any Covered Software is *
* authorized under this License except under this disclaimer. *
* *
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
* *
* 7. Limitation of Liability *
* -------------------------- *
* *
* Under no circumstances and under no legal theory, whether tort *
* (including negligence), contract, or otherwise, shall any *
* Contributor, or anyone who distributes Covered Software as *
* permitted above, be liable to You for any direct, indirect, *
* special, incidental, or consequential damages of any character *
* including, without limitation, damages for lost profits, loss of *
* goodwill, work stoppage, computer failure or malfunction, or any *
* and all other commercial damages or losses, even if such party *
* shall have been informed of the possibility of such damages. This *
* limitation of liability shall not apply to liability for death or *
* personal injury resulting from such party's negligence to the *
* extent applicable law prohibits such limitation. Some *
* jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of *
* incidental or consequential damages, so this exclusion and *
* limitation may not apply to You. *
* *
************************************************************************
8. Litigation
-------------
Any litigation relating to this License may be brought only in the
courts of a jurisdiction where the defendant maintains its principal
place of business and such litigation shall be governed by laws of that
jurisdiction, without reference to its conflict-of-law provisions.
Nothing in this Section shall prevent a party's ability to bring
cross-claims or counter-claims.
9. Miscellaneous
----------------
This License represents the complete agreement concerning the subject
matter hereof. If any provision of this License is held to be
unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent
necessary to make it enforceable. Any law or regulation which provides
that the language of a contract shall be construed against the drafter
shall not be used to construe this License against a Contributor.
10. Versions of the License
---------------------------
10.1. New Versions
Mozilla Foundation is the license steward. Except as provided in Section
10.3, no one other than the license steward has the right to modify or
publish new versions of this License. Each version will be given a
distinguishing version number.
10.2. Effect of New Versions
You may distribute the Covered Software under the terms of the version
of the License under which You originally received the Covered Software,
or under the terms of any subsequent version published by the license
steward.
10.3. Modified Versions
If you create software not governed by this License, and you want to
create a new license for such software, you may create and use a
modified version of this License if you rename the license and remove
any references to the name of the license steward (except to note that
such modified license differs from this License).
10.4. Distributing Source Code Form that is Incompatible With Secondary
Licenses
If You choose to distribute Source Code Form that is Incompatible With
Secondary Licenses under the terms of this version of the License, the
notice described in Exhibit B of this License must be attached.
Exhibit A - Source Code Form License Notice
-------------------------------------------
This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public
License, v. 2.0. If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this
file, You can obtain one at http://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
If it is not possible or desirable to put the notice in a particular
file, then You may include the notice in a location (such as a LICENSE
file in a relevant directory) where a recipient would be likely to look
for such a notice.
You may add additional accurate notices of copyright ownership.
Exhibit B - "Incompatible With Secondary Licenses" Notice
---------------------------------------------------------
This Source Code Form is "Incompatible With Secondary Licenses", as
defined by the Mozilla Public License, v. 2.0.
README.md
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A Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) browser with a custom HTML chrome UI. A Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) browser with a custom HTML chrome UI.
**Nebula Browser** is a controller-first web browser designed for Steam Deck, SteamOS-style systems, handheld PCs, living room setups, and gamepad-driven desktop environments.
Originally developed as an Electron-based browser for SteamOS users, Nebula Browser is now being rebuilt with **CEF / Chromium Embedded Framework** to provide deeper control over the browser experience, improved native integration, and a cleaner long-term foundation for custom UI, controller navigation, and platform-specific builds.
Development on Nebula Browser has somewhat resumed, with the project now moving toward a more native custom browser architecture.
Nebula Browser is intended to remain open source. The browser source code is licensed under MPL-2.0, while Nebula branding and visual assets are protected separately.
## Documentation ## Documentation
- **[Cross-platform build & architecture](docs/cross-platform.md)** — how to use one repo for Windows, macOS, and Linux; CEF setup; source layout; porting status. - **[Cross-platform build & architecture](docs/cross-platform.md)** — how to use one repo for Windows, macOS, and Linux; CEF setup; source layout; porting status.
## Quick start (Windows) ---
## Project Status
Nebula Browser is currently in early active redevelopment.
The original Electron version proved the core idea: a browser built around controller use, large-screen navigation, and a UI that does not feel like a standard desktop browser awkwardly placed on a handheld gaming device.
The new CEF version is the next major step.
Current focus areas include:
* Rebuilding the browser around CEF
* Creating a fully custom browser interface
* Moving away from default Chromium UI elements
* Reusing and adapting existing Nebula UI concepts where possible
* Supporting controller-first navigation
* Preparing for cross-platform builds across Windows, Linux, and macOS
* Creating a stronger foundation for future NebulaOS integration
---
## Why CEF?
Nebula Browser originally used Electron because it was fast to prototype, easy to package, and allowed the project to move quickly. However, Electron also comes with limits when building a browser that is meant to feel fully custom and deeply integrated with the operating system.
The move to **CEF** allows Nebula Browser to become more than a web app wrapped in a browser shell.
CEF gives the project:
* More control over the native window and browser lifecycle
* Better separation between the browser engine and the custom UI
* Greater flexibility for building a non-Chrome-like interface
* A more suitable foundation for SteamOS, Linux, and future NebulaOS use
* The ability to build a browser that feels purpose-built rather than wrapped
The goal is not to create another Chromium clone. The goal is to create a browser interface designed around how people actually use handhelds, controllers, TVs, and gaming-first systems.
---
## Distribution Direction
Nebula Browser was originally aimed at Steam. However, after exploring Steam as a release platform, it became clear that Steam may not be the best fit for this kind of application.
The current distribution direction is:
### Primary Target
* **Itch.io**
Itch.io is currently the most practical and flexible platform for distributing Nebula Browser. It allows the project to be released as a utility-style app without needing to fit into a traditional game store category.
### Potential Future Targets
* **Epic Games Store**
* **GOG**
* **Flatpak / Linux package distribution**
* **Direct downloads from the Nebula website**
Epic Games and GOG are being considered as possible future distribution platforms, especially if Nebula Browser grows into a more polished desktop or gaming utility. These are not confirmed release platforms yet, but they remain possible options.
---
## Open Source Direction
Nebula Browser is intended to remain open source because browsers are privacy-sensitive software. Users should be able to inspect how the browser works, verify that it is not doing anything suspicious, and contribute fixes or improvements when they find problems.
Open source is especially important for:
* User trust
* Privacy transparency
* Linux and Steam Deck community adoption
* Cross-platform testing
* Community contributions
* Long-term sustainability
The core Nebula Browser project should remain open source, including:
* Browser shell
* CEF integration code
* Custom browser UI
* Controller navigation systems
* Settings and theme systems
* Build scripts and documentation
Not every Nebula-related component has to be open source. Some future or external components may remain private or be licensed separately, such as:
* NebulaOS-specific services
* Account systems
* Cloud sync
* Hosted backend services
* Internal analytics or crash reporting infrastructure
* Private distribution tooling
* Experimental unreleased features
* Protected branding assets
Suggested openness model:
```text
Nebula Browser: open source
Nebula Core: open source or source-available
NebulaOS: potentially partially open source
Nebula online services/backend: private
Branding assets: protected
```
---
## Core Vision
Nebula Browser is built around one simple idea:
> The web should be comfortable to use from a couch, handheld, controller, or gaming-focused operating system.
Most browsers are designed around keyboards, mice, and desktop workflows. Nebula Browser is designed around a different experience.
Nebula Browser aims to support:
* Controller-first navigation
* Large, readable interface elements
* Gamepad-friendly menus and shortcuts
* Steam Deck and handheld PC usability
* Custom home pages and launcher-style navigation
* Better integration with gaming-focused environments
* A UI that feels closer to a console app than a traditional browser
---
## Planned Features
The CEF rebuild is still early, but the intended feature set includes:
* Fully custom browser chrome
* Custom tab bar
* Custom address bar
* Controller-friendly navigation system
* On-screen keyboard support
* Bookmarks and quick access tiles
* Custom home page
* Desktop mode and controller mode
* Fullscreen and couch-friendly browsing
* Custom context menus
* Download management
* Settings system
* Theme support
* Steam Deck / handheld-focused layout options
* Optional integration with NebulaOS
Some features may be ported or adapted from the earlier Electron version where it makes sense.
---
## Nebula Core
Nebula Browser may also make use of **Nebula Core**, a shared package system for Nebula-related projects.
Nebula Core is intended to provide reusable systems such as:
* Controller input handling
* Navigation helpers
* UI components
* Glyphs and button prompts
* Theming utilities
* On-screen keyboard systems
* Shared Nebula project logic
Because the new browser is CEF-based rather than Electron-based, some Nebula Core modules may need to be adapted for native integration or used through the browser UI layer rather than directly inside the C++ application layer.
---
## Relationship to NebulaOS
Nebula Browser is part of the wider **Nebula Project** ecosystem.
NebulaOS is a controller-focused operating system / shell concept designed around gaming, handheld PCs, and living room devices. Nebula Browser is intended to become one of the key built-in applications for that ecosystem.
While Nebula Browser can exist as a standalone app, its long-term role is to provide a web browsing experience that feels native inside NebulaOS.
---
## Technology Stack
The current redevelopment direction uses:
* **C++** for the native browser shell
* **CEF / Chromium Embedded Framework** for web rendering
* **HTML, CSS, and JavaScript** for the custom browser UI
* **CMake** for project configuration
* Platform-specific CEF builds for Windows, Linux, and macOS
The previous version used Electron, but the current direction is focused on CEF.
---
## Repository Structure
The repository structure may change as the CEF rebuild develops, but the project is expected to follow a layout similar to:
```text
NebulaBrowser/
├── app/
│ ├── browser/
│ ├── ui/
│ └── platform/
├── cef/
│ └── README.md
├── resources/
│ ├── icons/
│ ├── themes/
│ └── pages/
├── scripts/
├── third_party/
├── CMakeLists.txt
└── README.md
```
CEF itself should generally not be committed directly into the repository. Instead, platform-specific CEF builds should be downloaded separately and placed into the expected local folder during development.
---
## Development Notes
Nebula Browser is still experimental and in transition from the original Electron version to the new CEF version.
Expect changes in:
* Build setup
* File structure
* UI architecture
* Controller input systems
* Platform support
* Packaging and distribution
The project is not yet considered production-ready.
---
## Building
Build instructions will be expanded as the CEF version becomes more stable.
At a high level, development requires:
1. A supported C++ compiler
2. CMake
3. A downloaded CEF binary distribution for your operating system
4. The Nebula Browser source code
5. A local build folder
Example build flow:
```bash
cmake -S . -B build
cmake --build build
```
More detailed platform-specific instructions will be added later. For macOS/Linux prerequisites, directory structure, and current port status, see [docs/cross-platform.md](docs/cross-platform.md).
### Quick start (Windows)
1. Download the [CEF standard binary distribution](https://cef-builds.spotifycdn.com/index.html) for Windows 64-bit. 1. Download the [CEF standard binary distribution](https://cef-builds.spotifycdn.com/index.html) for Windows 64-bit.
2. Extract into `thirdparty/cef/` so `thirdparty/cef/cmake/FindCEF.cmake` exists. 2. Extract into `thirdparty/cef/` so `thirdparty/cef/cmake/FindCEF.cmake` exists.
@@ -19,8 +285,67 @@ A Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) browser with a custom HTML chrome UI.
4. Run `build\Release\NebulaBrowser.exe`. 4. Run `build\Release\NebulaBrowser.exe`.
For macOS/Linux prerequisites, directory structure, and current port status, see [docs/cross-platform.md](docs/cross-platform.md). ---
## License ## Platform Goals
Nebula Browser is being designed with cross-platform support in mind.
Target platforms include:
* Windows
* Linux
* SteamOS / Steam Deck
* macOS
Linux and SteamOS are especially important because Nebula Browser was originally created to solve a gap in the handheld and couch-browsing experience.
---
## Release Plans
Nebula Browser does not currently have a fixed release date.
The current release plan is:
1. Rebuild the core browser shell in CEF
2. Replace default Chromium UI with a custom Nebula interface
3. Restore core browser functionality
4. Add controller-first navigation
5. Prepare an early public build
6. Release through Itch.io first
7. Explore additional distribution options later
---
## Contributing
Nebula Browser is currently a personal / experimental project and is still finding its new technical direction.
Contributions, ideas, testing, and feedback may become more open once the CEF rebuild has a more stable foundation.
---
## Licensing
Nebula Browser separates source code licensing from branding and visual assets.
The preferred licensing direction is:
* **Source code:** Mozilla Public License 2.0
* **Documentation:** CC BY 4.0, unless otherwise specified
* **Branding, logos, icons, names, and visual identity:** All Rights Reserved, unless explicitly stated otherwise
MPL-2.0 is being used because it is a practical open-source license for a browser-style project. It allows people to use, modify, and contribute to the code while requiring changes to MPL-licensed files to remain open under the same license.
The Nebula name, logo, and brand identity are not automatically granted for reuse just because the code is open source. See [ASSETS-LICENSE.md](ASSETS-LICENSE.md) for the separate asset and branding terms.
See the CEF distribution and Chromium license terms for third-party runtime components. See the CEF distribution and Chromium license terms for third-party runtime components.
---
## About
Nebula Browser is created as part of the wider Nebula Project, a collection of software experiments focused on controller-first computing, gaming-focused interfaces, and custom desktop experiences.
The project began as a browser for SteamOS and Steam Deck users, but is now evolving into a more flexible, native, and custom browser experience built around CEF.