Omarchy is a new curated Linux distribution that offers a pre-configured keyboard driven environment and window manager. It’s lightweight and highly customizable, with system integrated AI tools, making for a unique take on operating systems. With Omarchy gaining quite a bit of attention, you might be curious in giving Omarchy a test run, but perhaps you’re not yet ready to commit an entire computer to running the new Linux distro, or don’t want to tinker with a VM.
And that’s where Try Omarchy comes in, an unaffiliated project from @martiano. It offers an entirely self-contained virtualized version of Omarchy Linux that’ll run as an independent app on MacOS.
So, if you’re curious and want to give Omarchy Linux a test run on your Mac, with minimal effort? Give Try Omarchy a look:
Download the latest release and install “Try Omarchy” in your /Applications folder as usual, then launch Try Omarchy. You’ll want to grant the app a few permissions, and set a shared folder (all optional, but for the most realistic Omarchy experience and to share files between Omarchy and MacOS easily this is all recommended).
And away you go, you’re now running Omarchy in a new Space on the Mac (yes this means you can switch between Omarchy and MacOS with a three-finger swipe left or right). Go through a super simple setup of selecting your language, username, root password, and optional Github & LLM login info, and you’re ready to go.
Windows and apps tile by default, and while it takes a few minutes to get accustomed to using primarily the keyboard, you’ll pick up the hang of it pretty quickly.
Window focus follows your cursor, and you’ll want to learn a few basic keyboard shortcuts to really get cruising.
Essential Omarchy Keyboard Shortcuts to Get Started
Since Omarchy is primarily keyboard driven, you’ll want to learn a few of the core keyboard shortcuts to interact with your OS. Here are a few of the absolute essential shortcuts to learn:
- Command+K opens a list of keyboard shortcuts
- Command+Spacebar is the Omarchy menu and app launcher, where to access Settings, etc
- Command+Return opens a Terminal
- Command+Shift+B opens the Chromium web browser
- Command+W closes app/window
- Command+Up/Down/Right/Left Arrow keys to switch between open windows/apps
- Command+1 through Command+5 switches to other virtual desktops in Omarchy (virtual desktops are known as Spaces in MacOS)
- Command+Escape to access the System menu (reboot, shutdown, screen saver, etc)
- FOR ‘Try Omarchy’ ONLY: Three-finger swipe left/right on the trackpad / Magic Mouse to switch back to your standard MacOS space
There are many more, but those plus Command+K will get you started and navigating around.
The developer @martiano has created a full walkthrough video of the setup if you’re curious or want some additional direction, but getting Omarchy up and running on a Mac with Try Omarchy is basically as easy as opening any Mac application.
Try Omarchy runs Omarchy on your Apple Silicon MacBook. No setup, just a standard app install.
Super easy to give Omarchy a try before you install it.
Link in the first reply.Here’s a demo of the full setup (~3min) https://t.co/2Xyf8lg1gj pic.twitter.com/I8u03AVOq5
— Eduardo (@martiano) August 25, 2026
There are plenty of ways to run Linux on a Mac, but the Try Omarchy app is particularly easy because it’s entirely self-contained, removing the usual steps to get Linux running in a virtual machine like UTM, or another partition. This makes is super easy to give Omarchy Linux a try and to see what the fuss is all about, but without having to go through additional steps.
For Mac users who have wondered what Omarchy is all about, and want to try out what an aggressively customizable keyboard-driven Linux desktop feels like, this may be one of the easiest ways to find out. And if you decide Omarchy isn’t for you? No loss, just quit the Try Omarchy app, and you’re back in MacOS.
Oh and by the way, there’s a Windows version of a similar app available too if you have a PC and want to give Omarchy a whirl without committing to a full install.
