TempleOS Repair

TempleOS is a unique, biblical-themed operating system created entirely by one individual, Terry A. Davis. Originally launched in 2005 as J Operating System and renamed TempleOS in 2013, it is a 64-bit, non-networked, monolithic OS designed from scratch — including its own compiler, editor, kernel, and a custom programming language called HolyC.

TempleOS intentionally limits itself to a simple 640×480 resolution with 16-color graphics and single-voice audio, choices Davis claimed were direct instructions from God. It supports basic input and file systems, includes built-in graphics and programming libraries, and even features games like the oracle-styled After Egypt.

TempleOS was described by Davis as being a modern x86-64 Commodore 64 with a blend of early DOS and Turbo C interfaces. TempleOS stands as an unconventional example of “recreational programming,” where the entire system was handcrafted without networking, modern hardware abstraction, or third-party libraries — all released into the public domain.

The story of TempleOS is largly inseparable from the life of its creator, Terry A. Davis (1969–2018), an American programmer whose extraordinary technical achievement was shaped by intense personal struggles.

Davis earned degrees in electrical engineering from Arizona State University and worked professionally as a programmer for Ticketmaster before beginning work on what would become TempleOS in the early 2000s. Over roughly a decade, he developed the OS entirely on his own. Davis later described experiencing severe manic episodes, which he interpreted as divine revelations that guided his design choices, leading him to believe he was instructed by God to build a digital “Third Temple.” His profound mental health challenges, including schizophrenia and periods of homelessness, were well-documented and intertwined with his online presence and creative process.

The 2014 Vice wrote an article titled “God’s Lonely Programmer”, which highlighted both Davis’s remarkable technical skills and his deeply personal motivations — portraying a brilliant but troubled individual whose work defied typical software engineering norms. Despite controversy and struggle, Davis’s creation remains a singular testament to individual craftsmanship in computing.

• Developer: Terrence Andrew Davis (December 15, 1969 - August 11, 2018)
• Licensing: Public Domain
• Initial Relese Date: 2005 (Under the name J Operating System)
• Latest Release Date: November 20, 2017
• Sucessor: ZealOS

• Languages: English
• Platforms: x64

• Working State: Finished
• Source Model: Open Source
• Kernel Type: Monolithic userland = UserCmdLine using HolyC, Adam
• Default User Interface: 16-Color Graphics (Created specifically for TempleOS)

• Integrated Development Environment (IDE): Code editor, compiler, and debugger are all native to the OS, enabling immediate compile-and-run workflows.
• HolyC Language: Custom language with direct access to system memory, graphics, and hardware routines.
• Graphics Libraries: Built-in 2D drawing primitives, sprite handling, and text rendering designed for rapid experimentation and game creation.
• File System: A simple, custom file structure optimized for direct access and small storage footprints.
• Command Shell: A hybrid text editor and command interpreter where code and commands are executed in the same environment.
• Games and Demos: Included programs such as After Egypt and various graphical demos that showcase TempleOS’s capabilities.
• No Networking Stack: TempleOS intentionally omits internet and network support for both philosophical and security reasons.
• Public Domain Licensing: The entire operating system, including source code, was released into the public domain, encouraging unrestricted use and modification.

• Official TempleOS GitHub
• TempleOS Wikipedia Page
• God's Lonely Programmer "Archive retrieved Febuary 17, 2026"