Andrew Zambazos
86f3b10e80
Updated project status and description in README.md to reflect that development is paused and the project is in a dormant state. Added a section clarifying the implications of this status and maintained the licensing information.
6.0 KiB
NEBULA BROWSER
A controller-first browser originally designed for SteamOS
⏸️ Development Paused • Project in Dormant State ⏸️
Nebula Browser is not under active development at this time. The project is currently in a dormant state, with the code preserved and available.
Nebula
Nebula is a customizable and privacy-focused web browser built with Electron. It was designed to be lightweight, secure, and user-friendly, with a strong emphasis on controller-first interaction, performance, and privacy, particularly for handheld PCs and living room setups.
Project Status
Status: Dormant Maintenance: No active maintenance Development: Paused Future Updates: No active roadmap
Nebula is not currently being worked on, but the source code remains available for use, modification, and experimentation under the MIT license.
This repository reflects a stable snapshot of the project as it exists today.
Why Development Is Paused
Nebula was created with a very specific goal: to be a controller-first browser designed to live inside the Steam ecosystem, especially for Steam Deck and SteamOS users who wanted a seamless web experience without relying on desktop mode, keyboards, or external workarounds.
During the Steam review process, Valve determined that Nebula does not fit within Steam’s allowed categories for non-game software. As a result, the browser could not be distributed on the Steam Store.
While Nebula can function as a desktop browser, distributing it outside of Steam fundamentally changes the experience it was designed to provide. Requiring third-party installation methods or desktop workflows compromises the original problem Nebula was built to solve.
Rather than continue active development in a direction that no longer aligned with that original vision, the project was placed into a dormant state.
What This Means
- Nebula is not deleted or abandoned
- The codebase remains open and accessible
- Community use, forks, and experimentation are welcome
- There is currently no commitment to future updates
If the ecosystem, platform landscape, or community interest meaningfully changes in the future, the project’s status can be reassessed. Until then, Nebula stands as a complete exploration of controller-first browser design.
Licensing
Nebula Browser is licensed under the MIT License. You are free to use, modify, and build upon the project.
Features
- Privacy Control: Easily clear your browsing data (history, cookies, cache, local storage, and more).
- Tab Management: Open new tabs, pop a tab out into a new window, and manage them efficiently.
- Bookmarks: Save your favorite sites with automatic backup on save.
- History: Keeps track of your browsing and search history with one-click clear.
- Downloads Manager: Track downloads, pause/resume/cancel, and open or reveal completed files.
- Context Menu: Native right‑click menu with Back/Forward/Reload, open/download links, image actions, and Inspect Element.
- Auth Compatibility: Improved OAuth/SSO & WebAuthn support (popup windows enabled where needed).
- Performance Monitoring: Built-in tools to monitor app performance and force GC when needed.
- GPU Acceleration Control: Diagnostics and safe fallbacks to troubleshoot rendering issues.
- Themes & Customization: Built-in themes and live editor to craft your own.
- Plugins: Extend Nebula with custom or community plugins via a simple plugin API.
- Cross-Platform: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Learn more about Nebula's features.
Getting Started
Prerequisites
- Node.js installed.
Installation
- Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/Bobbybear007/NebulaBrowser.git - Navigate to the project directory:
cd NebulaBrowser - Install dependencies:
npm install
Running the Application
To start the browser, run the following command:
npm start
Building the Application
To build the application for your platform, run:
npm run dist
This will create a distributable file in the dist directory.
Tip (Windows): If you encounter GPU issues, try starting with start-gpu-safe.bat to launch in a safer rendering mode.
Project Structure
An overview of the project's structure. For a more detailed explanation, please see the Project Structure documentation.
main.js: The main entry point for the Electron application.renderer/: Contains all the front-end files.preload.js: Bridges the main and renderer processes.performance-monitor.js: Module for monitoring performance.gpu-config.js&gpu-fallback.js: Modules for managing GPU settings.assets/: Contains static assets.documentation/: Contains additional documentation.plugins/: Sample plugins and scaffolding for developing your own.
Core Concepts
Nebula is built on several core concepts that are essential to understanding how it works. For a deeper dive, read the Core Concepts documentation.
- Main and Renderer Processes
- Inter-Process Communication (IPC)
- Performance and GPU Management
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please read our contributing guidelines to get started.
Technologies Used
- Electron
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript