Welcome to the Haiku User Guide

Below, you'll find the documentation of the most important aspects of Haiku. Naturally, completing and extending the documentation is a continuing process (see the online version for updated pages and translations). If you find errors, would like to suggest topics or maybe even contribute yourself, please get in touch on the documentation mailing list. If you're interested in helping with translations, you'll find information on that at the i18n user guide wiki.


Haiku's GUI Learn about the basic elements of the graphical user interface.
Deskbar Use and configure Haiku's version of the "Start" menu and taskbar.
Tracker Learn all about navigating, working with files and folders and how to configure Haiku's file manager.
Applications Learn how to un/install applications in general and how work with the ones that come with Haiku.
ActivityMonitor
BootManager
CharacterMap
CodyCam
Debugger
DeskCalc
DiskProbe
DiskUsage
DriveSetup
Expander
HaikuDepot
Icon-O-Matic
Installer
Magnify
Mail
MediaPlayer
MidiPlayer
LegacyPackageInstaller
People
PoorMan
Screenshot
ShowImage
SoftwareUpdater
SoundRecorder
StyledEdit
Terminal
TextSearch
TV
WebPositive
Workspaces Use virtual desktops for an uncluttered work environment.
Twitcher Switch between running applications.
Team Monitor Kill unresponsive applications or system components.
Shortcuts and key combinations The most common shortcuts to speed up your workflow.
Desktop Applets Simple tools to install on your Desktop and Deskbar.
Preferences Configuring and setting up your system.
Appearance
Backgrounds
DataTranslations
Deskbar
E-mail
FileTypes
Input
Keymap
Locale
Media
Network
Printers
Repositories
Screen
ScreenSaver
Shortcuts
Sounds
Time
Tracker
VirtualMemory
Queries Use Haiku's lightning fast queries to quickly find what you're looking for.
Filetypes Set default applications, change file types and create your own.
Attributes One of Haiku's main features lets you manage and add any kind of data to any file.
Index Use indexing to be able to search for attributes.
Filesystem layout Understand the filesystem hierarchy and get familiar with important file locations and folders.
Workshop: Filetypes, Attributes, Index and Queries Learn to use some of Haiku's key features by organizing your DVDs.
Workshop: Managing Email Learn to use Haiku's mail system with custom statuses and queries.
Workshop: Wireless networking Set up your open or encrypted wireless network.
Bash and Scripting Learn of some interesting scripts used by the system and about online resources for working in the shell and scripting.
Boot Loader Set safe boot options to solve configuration problems.