Start with the KOS Starter Kit
The free, Apache-2.0-licensed Starter Kit v1.2.0 installs KOS Community 1.0.0 on the KOS Core 1.0.0 compatibility contract. Start fresh, upgrade a supported installation, or enhance an existing Obsidian vault.
Starter Kit v1.2.0 availableStarter Kit and Community Edition
KOS Community Edition is the free, open-source edition of KOS. The Starter Kit is how you install it: a distribution that sets up the files and conventions you need on day one.
They are one offer described two ways, not two competing free products. It is a working edition, not a trial.
What it sets up
Starter Kit v1.2.0 includes project context, optional provider adapters, and local Skill and Power-Up package tools.
Project structure
A place for each project’s brief, scope, and current state.
Decision records
A consistent format for decisions and their reasons.
Handoff conventions
A simple pattern for ending a session so the next one can start.
Provider instructions
Guidance that tells supported AI tools how to read your KOS files.
Your first useful outcome
Set up one active project with a brief and its open decisions. Start your next AI session from those files and end it with a handoff. That loop is what KOS is built around.
Read the installation and operation guideBefore you install
| Item | Requirement or scope | Release detail |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | PowerShell 5.1 or 7 (no Python required), or Bash 4+ with Python 3.10+. | Use the versioned installation guide. |
| Supported environments | Codex, Claude and Gemini instruction adapters; PowerShell and Bash installation paths. | Adapter validation and cross-platform CI are reported in the v1.2.0 release. |
| License | Apache License 2.0. | User content and separately supplied packages keep their own rights. |
| Obsidian | Optional for a new KOS workspace; an existing vault is required for the enhance operation. | Plugin-specific behavior and all link forms were not exhaustively tested. |
Back up an existing vault outside its folder, review a dry-run, then explicitly approve changes. The installer’s transaction backups do not replace a complete vault backup.
Release documentation
Published October 2, 2026. The release includes the ZIP, its SHA-256 checksum, validated scope, and known limitations. Starter Kit, Community, and Core versions describe different parts of KOS.
Read the v1.2.0 release notesSupport Open-Source Development
KOS Starter Kit is free and open-source, giving everyone a foundation for building an AI-ready knowledge operating system.
If KOS has helped you organize your knowledge, manage projects, or improve your AI workflows, consider supporting its continued development.
Your contribution helps support documentation, maintenance, compatibility improvements, and community resources.
Ready to set it up?
Download the release, choose the right installation path, and review its instructions before making changes.