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We present T2, a second generation sensor network operating system written in the nesC language. We describe why the limitations and problems of current OSes necessitate a new design. T2 improves on current systems in three areas: platform support, application construction, and reliability. We argue that existing systems neglected these properties in order to maximize flexibility. In contrast, T2 limits flexibility to that which applications need, and leverages these constraints to improve the rest of the system. We evaluate T2 in comparison to TinyOS, and show how its structure simplifies applications, makes porting to a new platform much easier, and improves system reliability. From these results, we discuss the frictions present in component-based OSes and how T2’s design and structure makes dealing with them more tractable.