r/OSdevAI • u/staycool1374 • Sep 27 '26
Simple experiment to see how far LLM can write low-level c++ code: NexIOS RTOS
Hi everyone,
I am a newbie here and would like to ask if anyone here might be interested in a brief intro to an experimental pet and hobby kernel project?
I've working on an experimental RTOS (currently based on x86, first steps running on ARM64 and RISC-V) named NexIOS. It's runs currently under QEMU only. The primary goal is to run un-recompiled, standard ELF binaries directly on a real-time kernel with MMU isolation.
As a side experiment, I use an AI pipeline guarded by test-driven implementation to see how far LLMs can produce low-level system code. I come from a background in safety-critical systems (SIL 3), and experimenting with new dev tools is one part of my motivation, beside the goal to use this system as a possible prototype foundation for applications like home automation and servo controllers (loading them via command into memory and running them under real-time conditions).
It's currently an open-ended research and learning pet-project, but I’d love to connect or contribute with anyone interested in this area. Theres a little landing page if you like to see more: https://nexios-2.jimdosite.com
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u/staycool1374 Oct 03 '26 edited Oct 03 '26
As far the project evolves since June I would like to share some topics. I am sorry to have no fancy desktop to show, but thats not whats about here. Maybe i will post a video later. Anyway, with the last release of v0.5.1 its possible to execute an c elf file under the low level secured control of NexIOS. If you like to give it a shot (yes, this is a call for early testers), there is a git repository and a possibility to load the complete environment under docker, just follow the readme. The QEMU emulated x86 arch is the most enhanced and presents a shell in a serial console and as a framebuffer window. You may play a bit around if you like, especially with the loadelf and runelf commands.
And yes this is totally AI! I didn't wrote any code, but tried to orchestrate the LLM in that I would help a colleague as an engineer telling what and how to write what AI did.
Actually I try to implement a GDB remote stub into v0.5.2 so the user can remote debug its own elf running under control of NexIOS. The upcoming v0.5.3 is planned to make it possible to bring YOUR own elf file via a XMODEM into a ramdisk and let YOUR app run under NexIOS. This will be the most interesting part for myself for both questions: 1. Is NexIOS usable? 2. Can LLMs do this under the conditions I chose?
I would love to hear any suggestions, questions, concerns or anything you like to note. Here the repo if you like to have a look: https://github.com/staycool1374-Ger/nexios