Andrew Zambazos
b725d5a672
Updated project status and focus, changing from Steam-centric to Linux-first. Clarified maintenance mode and community engagement.
182 lines
6.7 KiB
Markdown
182 lines
6.7 KiB
Markdown
# NEBULA BROWSER
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*A controller-first browser, now re-focused as a Linux-first project*
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---
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### Limited Development • Project in Maintenance Mode
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Nebula Browser is no longer under active, full-time development.
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The project is maintained on an occasional basis, with updates made when time and interest allow.
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---
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# Nebula
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Nebula is a customizable and privacy-focused web browser built with Electron. It is designed to be lightweight, secure, and user-friendly, with a strong emphasis on **controller-first and keyboard-driven interaction**, performance, and privacy.
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While originally conceived for SteamOS and the Steam Deck, Nebula has since evolved into a **Linux-first experimental browser**, aimed at alternative input setups, handheld PCs, accessibility use cases, and living room environments.
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---
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## Project Status
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**Status:** Maintenance Mode
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**Maintenance:** Occasional updates
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**Development:** No active roadmap
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**Focus:** Linux-first (desktop, handhelds, and alternative input setups)
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Nebula is not a primary or actively scheduled project. Updates may occur sporadically and are not guaranteed. The repository remains open for use, modification, and experimentation under the MIT license.
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This repository reflects a stable snapshot of the project, with incremental improvements added when appropriate.
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---
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## Why the Project Changed Direction
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Nebula was originally 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.
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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.
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At the time, Steam distribution was considered a core pillar of the project, and development was paused as the original vision could no longer be fulfilled in its intended form.
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Since then, community feedback has highlighted broader interest in Nebula’s **input model and interaction design**, beyond Steam or SteamOS alone. Because of this, Nebula has been re-contextualized as a Linux-first project rather than a Steam-native application.
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---
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## What This Means Now
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* Nebula is **not abandoned**
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* It is **no longer a main or priority project**
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* Development happens **occasionally and without a fixed schedule**
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* The project is no longer tied to Steam or SteamOS
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* Linux desktop users, handhelds, and alternative input setups are the primary audience
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Nebula exists as an ongoing experiment in controller- and keyboard-driven web navigation. It may evolve further, remain stable, or inspire forks and derivative projects.
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---
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## Distribution
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Nebula may be distributed outside of Steam through platforms such as:
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* GitHub (source and releases)
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* itch.io
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* Flatpak / Flathub
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Availability and packaging may change over time and are not guaranteed.
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---
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## Licensing
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Nebula Browser is licensed under the MIT License.
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You are free to use, modify, and build upon the project.
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## Features
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* **Privacy Control:** Easily clear your browsing data (history, cookies, cache, local storage, and more).
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* **Tab Management:** Open new tabs, pop a tab out into a new window, and manage them efficiently.
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* **Bookmarks:** Save your favorite sites with automatic backup on save.
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* **History:** Keeps track of your browsing and search history with one-click clear.
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* **Downloads Manager:** Track downloads, pause/resume/cancel, and open or reveal completed files.
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* **Context Menu:** Native right‑click menu with Back/Forward/Reload, open/download links, image actions, and Inspect Element.
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* **Auth Compatibility:** Improved OAuth/SSO & WebAuthn support (popup windows enabled where needed).
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* **Performance Monitoring:** Built-in tools to monitor app performance and force GC when needed.
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* **GPU Acceleration Control:** Diagnostics and safe fallbacks to troubleshoot rendering issues.
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* **Themes & Customization:** Built-in themes and live editor to craft your own.
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* **Plugins:** Extend Nebula with custom or community plugins via a simple plugin API.
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* **Cross-Platform:** Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
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[**Learn more about Nebula's features.**](documentation/FEATURES.md)
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## Getting Started
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### Prerequisites
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* [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) installed.
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### Installation
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1. Clone the repository:
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```sh
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git clone https://github.com/Bobbybear007/NebulaBrowser.git
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```
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2. Navigate to the project directory:
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```sh
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cd NebulaBrowser
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```
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3. Install dependencies:
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```sh
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npm install
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```
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### Running the Application
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To start the browser, run the following command:
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```sh
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npm start
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```
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## Building the Application
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To build the application for your platform, run:
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```sh
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npm run dist
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```
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This will create a distributable file in the `dist` directory.
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Tip (Windows): If you encounter GPU issues, try starting with `start-gpu-safe.bat` to launch in a safer rendering mode.
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## Project Structure
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An overview of the project's structure. For a more detailed explanation, please see the [Project Structure documentation](documentation/PROJECT_STRUCTURE.md).
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- `main.js`: The main entry point for the Electron application.
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- `renderer/`: Contains all the front-end files.
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- `preload.js`: Bridges the main and renderer processes.
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- `performance-monitor.js`: Module for monitoring performance.
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- `gpu-config.js` & `gpu-fallback.js`: Modules for managing GPU settings.
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- `assets/`: Contains static assets.
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- `documentation/`: Contains additional documentation.
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- `plugins/`: Sample plugins and scaffolding for developing your own.
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## Core Concepts
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Nebula is built on several core concepts that are essential to understanding how it works. For a deeper dive, read the [Core Concepts documentation](documentation/CORE_CONCEPTS.md).
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- **Main and Renderer Processes**
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- **Inter-Process Communication (IPC)**
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- **Performance and GPU Management**
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## Contributing
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Contributions are welcome! Please read our [contributing guidelines](documentation/CONTRIBUTING.md) to get started.
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## Technologies Used
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* [Electron](https://www.electronjs.org/)
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* HTML, CSS, JavaScript
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## Documentation
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* [MIT License](documentation/MIT.md)
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* [GPU Fix](documentation/GPU-FIX-README.md)
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* [Features](documentation/FEATURES.md)
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* [Customization](documentation/Customization.md)
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* [Project Structure](documentation/PROJECT_STRUCTURE.md)
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* [Core Concepts](documentation/CORE_CONCEPTS.md)
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* [Contributing Guide](documentation/CONTRIBUTING.md)
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* [OAuth Debug](documentation/oauth-debug.md)
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* [Plugins Guide](README-PLUGINS.md)
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