Cosmo
Desktop agent with generated UI
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What is Cosmo?
Cosmo is an all-in-one macOS desktop customization tool currently in alpha, designed to transform your Mac desktop into a customizable work-life space. It enables users to install live wallpapers (including macOS Aerial Screensavers that stay active after unlocking), drag-and-drop interactive desktop widgets, and access a toolbox for desktop control. The app supports macOS 14.0+ and is built for creators including JavaScript developers, CG artists, animators, and photographers.
Key features include one-click live wallpapers with macOS Aerial Screensavers from Sonoma and macOS 26 Tahoe, flexible drag-and-drop desktop widgets built with JavaScript that surpass native WidgetKit capabilities, lock screen widgets (added in version 0.3.0), screen saver integration (added in version 0.2.0), a new Calendar Widget that integrates with system calendar, and the Desktop Widget SDK allowing creators to build dynamic widgets using Vanilla JS, TypeScript, React, Vue, and other JavaScript frameworks with Vite integration. The SDK includes full interactivity, context menus, transparent/blurred backgrounds, programmatic window size/position adjustments, and API access to system resources.
Cosmo is designed for early adopters, alpha testers, JavaScript developers wanting to create custom widgets, CG artists and animators seeking desktop personalization, photographers wanting live wallpapers, and macOS users who find native WidgetKit too limiting. A Creator Marketplace is coming soon for sharing and versioning curated widget and wallpaper packs without configuration pain. The app also includes planned web userscript injection to modify third-party web applications like Google and ChatGPP.
Cosmo pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Cosmo is completely free to use during its alpha phase with no cost. Early adopters participating in alpha testing pay nothing. For creators joining the creator waitlist, discounted revenue sharing plans are available once the Creator Marketplace launches. The app has no subscription fee currently, and there is no credit card required for the free alpha access. Future pricing will include revenue sharing for creators who publish widgets and wallpaper packs to the marketplace.
Cosmo pros
- Completely free to use during alpha phase
- Supports macOS Aerial Screensavers as live wallpapers
- Live wallpapers stay active after unlocking Mac
- Drag-and-drop desktop widgets more flexible than WidgetKit
- Full JavaScript support for widget creation
- Desktop Widget SDK with multiple framework templates
- Supports Vanilla JS, TypeScript, React, Vue with Vite
- Lock screen widget support added in version 0.3.0
- Screen saver integration added in version 0.2.0
- Built-in Calendar Widget with system calendar integration
- Full widget interactivity with context menus
- Transparent and blurred background options for widgets
- Programmatic window size and position adjustments
- API access to various system resources
- Can transform existing web apps into widgets
- 15 new aerial wallpapers from macOS 26 Tahoe included
- No configuration pain for marketplace packs (coming)
- Global reach for creators through marketplace
- Piracy protection for creator content
- Discounted revenue sharing plans for early members
Cosmo cons
- Only available for macOS (not Windows)
- Requires macOS 14.0 or higher
- Still in alpha phase with limited widget selection
- Needs multiple macOS system permissions
- Requires Full Disk Access for protected app data
- Needs Browser Keychain Access for Chromium browsers
- Creator Marketplace not yet available
- Widget API and documentation still being finalized
- Web userscript injection feature is planned not released
- Versioning and sharing marketplace coming soon not ready
Frequently asked questions about Cosmo
Why does Cosmo need so many system permissions?
Cosmo needs multiple macOS permissions because Apple protects different parts of the system separately. Cosmo relies on those protected areas to keep your workspace and browser-connected features working normally. Full Disk Access is needed to read protected local app data that macOS blocks by default, including browser/session-related files and other protected data used by widgets and personalization. Browser Keychain Access is required for Chromium-variant browsers because session data is encrypted on your Mac; Cosmo needs this to retrieve the browser's local encryption key, decrypt session cookies locally, and use your existing logged-in browser context in Cosmo features. Cosmo does not store your cookies or browser sessions - this access is used locally on your Mac.
What macOS versions does Cosmo support?
Cosmo requires macOS 14.0 or higher to run. The alpha version is built specifically for macOS 14.0+ and will not work on earlier versions of macOS.
Is Cosmo free to use?
Yes, Cosmo is completely free to use during its alpha phase. Early adopters participating in alpha testing can download and use the app at no cost. There is no subscription fee and no credit card required for alpha access.
What JavaScript frameworks can I use to build widgets?
The Desktop Widget SDK offers templates for Vanilla JS, TypeScript, Wind CSS, React, and Vue, all integrated with Vite. Essentially, any framework that compiles to JS, HTML, and CSS can be utilized to create custom desktop widgets.
Can I use macOS screen savers as live wallpapers in Cosmo?
Yes, Cosmo includes your favorite macOS Aerial Screensavers as live wallpapers. A key feature is that these live wallpapers can stay active even after unlocking your Mac, unlike standard screen savers. Version 0.2.0 added screen saver integration so you can enjoy live wallpapers as screen savers effortlessly.
What widgets are available in Cosmo currently?
Currently the widget selection is somewhat basic, but includes a new Calendar Widget that integrates smoothly with the system calendar. The team recommends placing the Calendar Widget on the lock screen to track meetings and classes without opening the calendar app. Plans exist to expand the widget offering significantly.
Can I put widgets on my lock screen?
Yes, version 0.3.0 introduced Lock Screen Widget support. You can now showcase supported Cosmo widgets directly on your system's lock screen. The Calendar Widget is particularly well-suited for lock screen placement.
Is Cosmo available for Windows?
No, Cosmo is currently only available for macOS and is not available for Windows. The app is built specifically for macOS customization.
When will the Creator Marketplace be available?
The Creator Marketplace is coming soon but is not yet available. It will allow users to install curated widget and wallpaper packs without configuration pain. A marketplace for sharing and versioning will be available soon according to the developers.
Who should join the creator waitlist?
The creator waitlist is for JavaScript Developers, CG Artists, Animators, and Photographers who want to profit from their creativity and worry less about hassles. Creators who join get tailored support and resources, access to discounted revenue sharing plans when the marketplace launches, the ability to reach global users, and protection from piracy for their content.