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How MentraOS Works

MentraOS is the smart glasses operating system. It allows third party apps to run on smart glasses.
This section is for cloud Mini Apps built with @mentra/sdk. If you are building a mobile app that connects directly to glasses over Bluetooth, use the Bluetooth SDK docs.
Users install the Mentra app on their phone, connect their glasses, and run apps. Developers build apps that users can install (from a web link or the Mentra Store). Third party apps run in the cloud and have a low-latency connection to MentraOS sessions. Developers can call functions in their web application to listen to microphone data, display information on users’ smart glasses, react to hardware events, and coordinate app state.

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Why Use MentraOS

MentraOS provides:
  • Universal - Works with glasses from multiple manufacturers including Vuzix, Even Realities, Mentra, and a number of new glasses in 2026.
  • Powerful - Audio, display, sensors, and AI integration.
  • Simple - Server-side apps using familiar web technologies.
  • Open Source - 100% open, MentraOS is the industry standard OS for smart glasses.

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Hello World MentraOS App

Here’s a MentraOS app that shows “Hello World” on a smart glasses display: 
import { MiniAppServer } from '@mentra/sdk';

const app = new MiniAppServer({
  packageName: 'com.example.myapp',
  apiKey: process.env.MENTRA_API_KEY!,
  port: 3000,
});

app.onSession((session) => {
  // Display "Hello World" on the glasses
  session.display.showTextWall("Hello World from MentraOS!");

  // Log when user speaks
  session.transcription.on((data) => {
    console.log(`User said: ${data.text}`);
  });
});

await app.start();
That’s it! This app will:
  1. Connect to a user’s smart glasses when they launch your app
  2. Display “Hello World from MentraOS!” on their glasses display
  3. Log everything the user says to your server console

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What You Could Build

With MentraOS, developers have built:
  • Fitness coaches with workout guidance
  • Live captions for the deaf/HoH
  • Industrial inspection assistants with voice-guided workflows
  • Hands-free note taking tools for field teams

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Next Steps

🚀 Ready to build your first app? Check out the Quickstart.