kosmtikos

Kosmtikos is a term that is often used to refer to Kosmtik, an open-source development tool used for creating and testing map styles in the OpenStreetMap ecosystem. The exact spelling varies in community discussions, but the underlying project is widely known under the Kosmtik name.

Kosmtik is a lightweight, Node.js-based application that provides a local environment for designing, rendering, and previewing map styles. It runs a small web server and renders tiles from user-supplied style definitions, enabling developers and cartographers to see real-time results as they adjust the style. The tool is designed to support rapid iteration, with live reloading and an interactive workflow that helps users prototype Carto-style maps and Mapnik-based renderings before deploying to production tile services.

In use, a Kosmtik project typically consists of a style configuration and a data directory. Users can load OpenStreetMap data or other compatible datasets, apply stylistic rules, and preview how changes affect the rendered map. The environment is extensible, allowing integration with common tools in the OpenStreetMap and web cartography communities.

Development and availability: Kosmtik is an open-source project maintained by contributors in the OpenStreetMap community and related ecosystems. It is hosted on public code repositories, with ongoing updates, community support, and documentation to assist new users.

See also: OpenStreetMap, Mapnik, CartoCSS, Kosmtik (the project itself).