Cyanogen co-founder unveils AI-focused Linux desktop OS

Kora is designed to let AI tools work across applications, reach files and retain context between tasks. Agents can also run in separate workspaces with restricted access to files and other resources. The system is expected to support existing Intel- and AMD-powered PCs, as well as Qualcomm Snapdragon machines.

McMaster told TechCrunch that about 50 engineers are developing the software with coding tools including OpenAI’s Codex and Anthropic’s Claude. He said those tools have made development at least five times faster, with most of the gains coming in the past six months.

Windows accounted for about 77% of the worldwide desktop operating-system market in October, compared with nearly 10% for Apple’s OS X, according to StatCounter web traffic data. McMaster said Kora is not aiming for Windows’ entire user base. “Microsoft can keep its billion users,” he said, estimating that 45 million to 50 million people now account for much of AI use and revenue. He expects that market to exceed 200 million users by 2033.

McMaster said his more than five years at Cyanogen taught him the risk of challenging an incumbent while depending on it. Cyanogen remained reliant on Google Mobile Services, limiting its ability to build an independent ecosystem. “If you are trying to compete with an incumbent but are still reliant on them, you have no chance,” he said.

Kora, based in Palo Alto, was previously Playtron, a gaming operating-system company led by McMaster. It rebranded in July 2025 to focus on AI, building on nearly three years of work on its Linux gaming system, GameOS. Kora uses Linux and Nix, replacing GameOS’s Fedora Silverblue foundation. Its Cortex AI engine and desktop interface are proprietary, McMaster said, though the company intends to support models and services from different providers.

The company is also working with Qualcomm, whose engineers have collaborated with Kora for nearly a year to optimize the OS for Snapdragon PCs, including Snapdragon X2 Elite chips. A separate enterprise version, Humain OS, is being developed with Saudi AI company Humain and is expected on Snapdragon-powered laptops in 2027. Kora plans subscription bundles for AI models and agent services; its Cortex engine is designed to handle tasks locally when possible and use cloud models when more computing power is needed. Gaming tools and Android app support are also on the roadmap.

Kora’s investors include Samsung Next, Square Enix, Alumni Ventures, Polychain, VanEck and Circle, all of which had previously backed Playtron. McMaster said the company has raised additional funding since its AI pivot and has enough to operate for several years, but declined to disclose its total funding or valuation.