[RetroTechie]

Same here. But looking back, it also shows the limitations of a modern desktop OS: there's too many big, complex components, all with intricate interactions, to set it up manually. Because -let's be honest- (B)LFS is a great learning resource, but a totally impractical way to get an OS up & running.

Automation is key here. Check dependencies, download archive(s), unpack, apply config options, compile, run tests, (optionally) build binary package, install: it all has to be automated or it quickly becomes unworkable.

I'd love to see more built-from-scratch OSes that include development tools, do something useful on modern hardware, but are small(er) to the point that it's easier to wrap one's head around the whole. Think Forth-based with a simple GUI, Oberon, Plan 9, Inferno or similar.