Software Unscripted Andreas Kling on Ladybird Browser, SerenityOS, and Powerlifting
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Sep 1, 2025 Andreas Kling, the innovative creator of SerenityOS and the Ladybird browser, shares his journey from browser developer at Apple to shaping new web standards. He delves into the challenges of building Ladybird from scratch, discussing compliance and performance. Kling also reflects on the complexities of computer architecture and fostering community in open-source projects. Additionally, he reveals how powerlifting has transformed his life, promoting health and personal growth while debunking myths about the sport's safety.
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Building Everything From Scratch
- Ladybird builds its own JavaScript, CSS, and HTML engines rather than reusing components from other browsers.
- Sticking closely to specs makes implementation and compliance easier for a new browser team.
Start OS Work In Virtual Machines
- Target virtual machines first when creating a new OS to avoid hardware boot loops and speed debugging.
- Use popular VM hardware (e.g., QEMU) and iterate there before moving to real hardware.
Leverage Legacy Emulation Layers
- Many modern PCs emulate legacy interfaces (BIOS, VGA, PS/2), letting new OSes use unified, old-school device behaviors.
- SerenityOS intentionally piggybacked on those emulation layers to simplify early device support.
