KDE Linux, an all-new experimental Linux distribution, is now available in pre-alpha form for download. Developed as a showcase for the KDE desktop project, the distro is designed to be a stable end-user operating system, unlike the experimental KDE Neon. Built on Arch Linux but distinct enough to not be classified as an Arch variant, KDE Linux features an immutable design with dual Btrfs root partitions. Instead of a traditional package manager, users can install sandboxed applications through the KDE Discover app store or potentially Snap packages if the user experience is deemed acceptable. While current test versions have experienced crashes, the project aims to deliver a robust daily driver system.
The project’s design is heavily influenced by Valve’s SteamOS 3, incorporating immutability with dual read-only Btrfs-format root partitions that update alternately. This design choice ensures system stability by preventing manual modifications or installations that could compromise the OS. Although the distro is not based on Ubuntu or Debian, it leverages Arch Linux as a foundation, offering a unique approach to system management and package handling. Users are restricted from installing Arch packages and must rely on sandboxed applications and the KDE Discover app store for software installation.
The KDE Linux team has emphasized that this distro is intended to be a bulletproof daily driver, contrasting it with KDE Neon, which is meant for demonstrating the latest and greatest code. The project’s current state, while still in a pre-alpha testing stage, has garnered significant attention from the Linux community. Despite current test versions experiencing crashes, the potential for KDE Linux to become one of the most radical end-user distros is seen as a significant development in the Linux operating system landscape.