Ānanda Āropa (/ɑːˈnʌndə/ /ɑː.ɾɐw.pɐ/), or simply aaropa, represents BlissLabs' cutting-edge endeavor, originally to revolutionize the installer and initial ramdisk (initrd) for BlissOS, offering a suite of enhanced features and improvements over the traditional Android-x86 console installer. As a cornerstone of the Android Generic Project, Ānanda Āropa provides a robust, minimal Linux environment designed to be the bedrock for a variety of purposes, from building comprehensive installer images to serving as a versatile testing ground for Android-x86 distributions.

aaropa is designed for broad compatibility, supporting a range of architectures:

• x86_64 (amd64)
• x86 (i386)
• ARM64 (aarch64) - (GKI-compliant)

Beyond this core repository, the aaropa project comprises several integral components and repositories, each contributing to a seamless and feature-rich Android-x86 experience:

Main repository, aaropa_rootfs_base, is dedicated to producing the core aaropa rootfs – a pristine, lightweight Linux base image. This rootfs is meticulously crafted to include essential programs directly within its minimal Linux environment, creating a functional and efficient base for various operations:

• Desktop Environment:
  • JWM - A lightweight window manager for a responsive desktop experience.
• File Management:
  • PCManFM-Qt - A powerful and user-friendly file manager.
• Terminal Emulator:
  • QTerminal - A feature-rich terminal application.
• Disk & Partition Management:
  • GParted - The renowned graphical partition editor for effortless disk management.
• Text Editing:
  • L3afpad - A simple yet effective text editor.
• Image Viewing:
  • GPicView - A fast and lightweight image viewer.
• Drive Health Monitoring:
  • GSmartControl - A graphical user interface for smartmontools, for monitoring hard drive health.
• Process Monitoring:
  • Htop - An interactive process viewer.

The aaropa_rootfs project offers specialized variants tailored for specific use cases:

• aaropa_rootfs_installer: Tailored for creating installer images.
• aaropa_rootfs_builder: Designed for building and compiling Android-x86 components and softwares of the ecosystem.
• aaropa_rootfs_qemu: Optimized for QEMU-based development and testing environments for the ecosystem and Android-x86 distributions.

The following repositories are integral to the broader Ānanda Āropa ecosystem and contribute to its comprehensive functionality:

• Ānanda Āropa Calamares Installer
  • Contains essential patches and modules for Calamares, the popular Linux installer framework, compiled into .deb packages for robust installation of BlissOS, Bass OS, and Lineage OS TV x86.
• GRUB2 Themes
  • Features custom GRUB2 themes, bundled as .deb packages, to provide a polished boot experience for BlissOS, Bass OS, and Lineage OS TV x86.
• Ānanda Āropa Busybox
  • Provides a custom BusyBox build, crucial for the initrd environment, also packaged as a .deb file.
• EFIFS Extra Modules for rEFInd and rEFInd Files i386
  • Enhances rEFInd boot manager functionality with additional EFI filesystem drivers.
• Debian Quick Packager
  • Tools to streamline the creation of Debian packages.
• Debian Repo Builder
  • Scripts to quickly deploy Debian repositories with no-cost.
• GRUB Android Prober
  • A utility for GRUB to effectively detect and integrate Android-x86 installations.
• Linux Zenith Kernel
  • The Android Generic Project's Zenith kernel, targeted Debian-based systems.
• Android Tools
  • A collection of essential Android-related utilities.

Ānanda Āropa is the backbone, providing a versatile and robust foundation for:

• Comprehensive Installer Environments: Facilitates the seamless installation of:
  • BlissOS
  • Bass OS
  • Lineage OS TV x86
• Testing & Development Environments: Offers a base multipurpose minimal Linux environment ideal for:
  • Testing Android-x86 builds.
  • Developing new features and components for Android-x86.
  • Serving as a general-purpose Linux sandbox.

The name Ānanda Āropa beautifully intertwines two Sanskrit words:

• "Ananda" (आनन्द): Signifying "bliss" or "happiness."
• "Aropa" (आरोप): Meaning "imposing" or "placing upon."

Together, they form a profound phrase: "blissful installation" or "blissful startup," perfectly encapsulating the project's goal of delivering a smooth and enjoyable Android-x86 experience.

• Shadichy (@shadichy) - Core Developer
• Huy Minh (@hmtheboy154) - Core Developer
• Jon West (@electricjesus)

• XelXen (@xelxen) - Artworks
• Xtr126 (@xtr126)

We extend our sincere gratitude to the following projects and communities whose foundational work and invaluable tools have made Ānanda Āropa possible:

• Android-x86: For the original initrd and installer (newinstaller) that served as our initial inspiration.
• Devuan: A steadfast Debian-based Linux distribution that champions the absence of systemd. aaropa is proudly built atop Devuan, ensuring a lean and focused base.
• The programs listed above: Without these exceptional open-source tools, the rich functionality of aaropa would not be achievable.