ChromeOS Schemes Separation of Browser and System Interface

Chrome OS is currently working on a project called “lacros” (Linux and Chrome OS). This project aims to separate the Chrome browser department from the window manager and the user system interface. According to sources, lacros may be included by default for some Chromebook models starting from Chrome OS 116.

The Lacros project’s main purpose is to divide the browser and elements of the system interface into two separate binary files: ASH-Chrome (interface) and Lacros-Chrome (browser). This separation allows for independent development and release cycles of the components, enabling the system to be updated separately from the browser in a regular OS.

Lacros-Chrome browser is an assembly of a regular Chrome for Linux with extended Wayland support. To handle input events in Lacros-Chrome, a layer called “ozone” is utilized. This layer abstracts the interaction with the graphic subsystem using Wayland clients. In terms of Wayland server in Chrome OS, “exosphere” is used, which is also employed in Arc subsistences (for launching Android applications) and Crostini (for launching Linux applications).

For more information, you can visit the official lacros documentation or visit the About Chromebooks website.

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