# AI use cases for Starling (starling-build/starling) Repo: [starling-build/starling](https://github.com/starling-build/starling) | Use cases: 4 | Page: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/starling-build-starling/ Starling is an open source project that builds a Linux desktop environment with a Swift shell and compositor, a Swift port of the Flutter framework, and first-party apps such as a terminal and an office suite. This file holds every use case of this repo. Each one starts with a "## " heading and ends with its URL. - Build and run the Starling desktop from source: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/starling-build-starling/build-and-run-starling-desktop/ - Package the Starling desktop as a Debian package: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/starling-build-starling/package-starling-desktop-deb/ - Build the Starling Terminal from source: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/starling-build-starling/build-starling-terminal-from-source/ - Try Starling Office in a browser to draft documents: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/starling-build-starling/try-starling-office-in-browser/ ## How to build and run the Starling desktop from source with Starling Repo: [starling-build/starling](https://github.com/starling-build/starling) | Difficulty: Advanced | Time: 4 hours | Basis: From the README Compile the Swift shell and run the Starling desktop from a staged tree on Linux. **Who it is for:** A Linux developer who wants to test changes to the Starling shell or compositor before they ship. **The problem:** Running the desktop from a source checkout needs the shell, the engine, and the libraries laid out in the right places, which is easy to get wrong by hand. **The outcome:** The shell is built and the desktop starts from a self-contained staged tree that matches the installed layout. ### Steps 1. git clone https://github.com/starling-build/starling-engine next to this repo, then build it following its README (inferred, check the README) 2. Run `./bootstrap.sh` in the Starling repo to create the engine symlink 3. Run `cd shell && swift build -c release` 4. Run `build/run-desktop.sh` with the GPU free of other display software ### Prompt to paste into your agent ```text Clone the starling repo and its starling-engine sibling, then run ./bootstrap.sh and build/run-desktop.sh on this Linux machine. Expected output: the Starling desktop session starts from the .stage/ tree. Verify that the .stage/ directory exists and that the desktop process is running before reporting success. ``` ### Caveat The README says the desktop needs the GPU free and points to docs/BUILDING.md for toolchains, apt packages, and Ubuntu 26.04 workarounds, so setup takes more than the short commands shown. Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/ URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/starling-build-starling/build-and-run-starling-desktop/ ## How to package the Starling desktop as a Debian package with Starling Repo: [starling-build/starling](https://github.com/starling-build/starling) | Difficulty: Advanced | Time: 5 hours | Basis: From the README Stage the desktop and build a .deb that adds a Starling session to the login screen. **Who it is for:** A Debian or Ubuntu packager who needs an installable build of the Starling desktop for testing on other machines. **The problem:** Turning the built shell and apps into an installable package means assembling the layout, adding control metadata, and wiring the session entry. **The outcome:** A starling-desktop .deb is produced that installs the desktop under /usr/lib/starling and /usr/share/starling and adds a Starling login session. ### Steps 1. Read docs/BUILDING.md for toolchain setup and the Ubuntu 26.04 workarounds 2. Run `cd shell && swift build -c release` and build the apps with `swift build -c release` in each app directory 3. Run `build/stage.sh` to assemble the layout into .stage/ 4. Run `build/package-desktop.sh` to produce the starling-desktop .deb ### Prompt to paste into your agent ```text In the starling repo, build the shell and apps with swift build -c release, then run build/stage.sh and build/package-desktop.sh. Expected output: a starling-desktop_ _amd64.deb file in the output directory. Verify that the package installs files under /usr/lib/starling and /usr/share/starling before reporting success. ``` ### Caveat The README says the engine host_release build must exist before packaging, so the engine checkout has to be built first. Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/ URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/starling-build-starling/package-starling-desktop-deb/ ## How to build the Starling Terminal from source with Starling Repo: [starling-build/starling](https://github.com/starling-build/starling) | Difficulty: Intermediate | Time: 45 minutes | Basis: From the README Compile the Starling Terminal app with Swift for local use or to modify it. **Who it is for:** A developer who wants a terminal with tabs and split panes, or who wants to change its code. **The problem:** The terminal is its own Swift package inside the repo, so it needs to be built separately from the desktop. **The outcome:** The Terminal app builds as a release binary from its own package directory. ### Steps 1. Clone the starling-build/starling repo and open apps/TerminalApp 2. Read the Terminal source in apps/TerminalApp and the session daemon guide in termd/README.md 3. Run `cd apps/TerminalApp && swift build -c release` ### Prompt to paste into your agent ```text In the starling repo, run cd apps/TerminalApp && swift build -c release. Expected output: a release build of Starling Terminal with no errors. Verify that the build finishes and that the Terminal sources match the features listed in the README, then report the result. ``` ### Caveat The README says the Terminal has macOS, Windows, and Linux builds, but this build path is documented as a Swift package and its platform steps may differ, so check apps/TerminalApp before relying on it. Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/ URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/starling-build-starling/build-starling-terminal-from-source/ ## How to try Starling Office in a browser to draft documents with Starling Repo: [starling-build/starling](https://github.com/starling-build/starling) | Difficulty: Beginner | Time: 15 minutes | Basis: From the README Open the Writer, Slides, and Sheets apps in a browser with no install. **Who it is for:** A non-developer who wants to write a document, make slides, or use a spreadsheet and is curious about the Starling Office apps. **The problem:** Setting up a native office suite takes time, and a quick test should not require a build. **The outcome:** The user has opened Writer, Slides, or Sheets in a browser and made a first draft. ### Steps 1. Open https://writer.starling.build/ in a browser to write a document 2. Open https://slides.starling.build/ to make a presentation 3. Open https://sheets.starling.build/ to work with a spreadsheet 4. Use https://openoffice.starling.build/ to see the Office presentation ### Prompt to paste into your agent ```text Open https://writer.starling.build/, https://slides.starling.build/, and https://sheets.starling.build/ in a browser and check that each one loads. Expected output: a short list stating which apps loaded and which did not. Verify each page loads before reporting that the app works. ``` ### Caveat The README says Office can be tried directly in the browser, but it also says the apps are actively developed and features may change, so a working test today may differ later. Disclaimer: Third-party repos we don't own or vouch for. AI-generated use cases can be wrong: review everything and run at your own risk. Full text: https://dedupedai.com/disclaimer/ URL: https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/starling-build-starling/try-starling-office-in-browser/