The Modular, Self-Hosted Agentic Operating System

SanctumOS Components

SanctumOS is built on a neuro-inspired architecture that maps software components to cognitive functions. This approach ensures intuitive behavior and predictable system operation.

Cognitive Components

Thalamus

Input Preprocessing Hub

  • Processes raw inputs through multiple phases
  • Provides immediate pass-through for reflex responses
  • Performs cleanup, re-segmentation, and semantic annotation
  • Acts as the first stage of information processing
  • Repository: sanctumos/thalamus (research release)

Basal Ganglia

Task Orchestrator

  • Selects and manages long-running sub-agent tasks
  • Enforces success/fail loop structures
  • Provides action gating and habit engine functionality
  • Learns from outcomes to improve future task selection

Dream Agent

Memory Consolidation System

  • Nightly batch processing of daily conversations
  • Three coordinated neuro-modules:
  • Hippocampus: Knowledge extraction and summarization
  • Neocortex: Knowledge integration and storage
  • Glymphatic System: Storage optimization and pruning
  • Maintains efficient long-term memory

Cerebellum

Real-time Filter

  • Low-latency event-driven filtering and prioritization
  • Gut-check reflex arcs
  • Processes input before it reaches the Conscious Mind

Conscious Mind

Central Reasoning Engine

  • Core conversational and reasoning agent
  • Maintains core memory and recall memory
  • Coordinates sub-agents through MCP

Sensory Components

Cochlea

Audio Input Pipeline (research release)

  • Converts audio signals into structured input for the cognitive stack
  • Compatible with Thalamus, Broca, and Letta inputs
  • Repository: sanctumos/cochlea

Communication Components

Broca-2

Message Processing Middleware

  • CLI-first, plugin-based message processor
  • Translates agent decisions into platform-specific messages
  • Supports multiple communication endpoints (Telegram, web, CLI)
  • Provides message queue with echo, listen, and live modes

Sanctum Letta MCP

Model Context Protocol Server

  • Plugin-based MCP server for AI tool integration
  • Auto-discovery of plugins and tools
  • Growing plugin ecosystem for domain-specific capabilities

Infrastructure Components

Sanctum Router

Inference Proxy ("Entorhinal Cortex")

  • Self-hosted, OpenAI-compatible inference proxy
  • Policy-enforced routing across multiple LLM providers
  • Credit-aware failover

System Architecture

Component Interaction

Audio → Cochlea ─┐
                  ↓
User Input → Thalamus → Cerebellum → Conscious Mind
                                         ↓
             Memory ← Dream Agent ← Basal Ganglia
                                         ↓
                                    Broca-2 → External Platforms
                                         ↓
                              Sanctum Router → LLM Providers

Audio → Cochlea ─┐ ↓ User Input → Thalamus → Cerebellum → Conscious Mind ↓ Memory ← Dream Agent ← Basal Ganglia ↓ Broca-2 → External Platforms ↓ Sanctum Router → LLM Providers

Audio → Cochlea ─┐
                  ↓
User Input → Thalamus → Cerebellum → Conscious Mind
                                         ↓
             Memory ← Dream Agent ← Basal Ganglia
                                         ↓
                                    Broca-2 → External Platforms
                                         ↓
                              Sanctum Router → LLM Providers

Data Flow

  1. Sensory Input: Cochlea processes audio; Thalamus preprocesses text and other inputs
  2. Filtering: Cerebellum prioritizes and filters information
  3. Reasoning: Conscious Mind performs complex reasoning via LLM inference (routed through Sanctum Router)
  4. Task Management: Basal Ganglia orchestrates sub-agent tasks
  5. Memory Consolidation: Dream Agent maintains long-term memory during nightly cycles
  6. Communication: Broca-2 handles external communication across platforms
  7. Tool Access: SMCP provides MCP tools for agent capabilities

Design Principles

Neuro-Inspired Architecture

Each component mirrors a human cognitive function:

  • Thalamus: The brain's sensory relay station
  • Cochlea: The inner ear's sound transducer
  • Basal Ganglia: The brain's action selection system
  • Dream Agent: The brain's memory consolidation during sleep
  • Broca: The brain's language production center
  • Entorhinal Cortex (Router): The gateway between memory and cognition

Modular Design

  • Independent Components: Each component can operate independently
  • Clear Interfaces: Well-defined communication protocols
  • Extensible Architecture: Easy to add new components
  • Plugin System: Support for custom extensions across the stack

Privacy and Control

  • Self-Hosted: All components run on your hardware
  • Transparent: Full visibility into system operations
  • Auditable: Complete logging and provenance tracking
  • User-Controlled: You maintain full control over your data

Related Documentation

SanctumOS Components — a neuro-inspired approach to building intelligent, self-hosted AI systems.