Run macOS Software on Linux

Darling is a translation layer enabling the execution of macOS software on Linux. This software, available for free and open-source on GitHub, utilizes a GNU GPL license version 3. It provides a complete Darwin environment, including Mach, dyld, and launchd. Setting up Darling is straightforward, allowing users to enjoy using their preferred applications.

The objective is to integrate Darling applications into the Linux desktop experience, making them indistinguishable from native Linux apps. In essence, Darling functions similarly to Wine, which facilitates the execution of Windows software on Linux. However, unlike Wine, Darling directly employs elements of Darwin, as it is primarily composed of free software components.

The project name Darling is an amalgamation of “Darwin” and “Linux,” derived from the core operating system on which macOS and iOS are built. Darling currently supports the execution of simple graphical applications.

Wine's successor, WSL 2, integrates well with Darling. Darling's development is influenced by various open-source projects such as opensource.apple.com, GNUstep, The Cocotron, and The Apportable Foundation.

In the long term, the team envisions running iOS apps on ARM devices, similar to most Android phones. This would require the development of a bespoke UIKit implementation. If you are interested in contributing to this ambitious project, familiarize yourself with Darling's internals through the official documentation and blog. Then, join the community on GitHub, where prior experience in macOS or iOS development is not mandatory.