LinaraOS
LinaraOS is a GNU/Linux distribution built on Artix Linux — an Arch-based, systemd-free operating system. It is designed as a complete workstation for science, privacy, electronic engineering, creative work, AI-assisted learning, and beyond.
"Science for Everyone"
Overview
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Base | Artix Linux (Arch-based) |
| Default Init | OpenRC |
| Supported Inits | OpenRC, Dinit, Runit, S6 |
| Desktop | XFCE4 + Hyprland |
| Login Manager | Ly |
| Boot Splash | Plymouth (LinaraOS theme) |
| Bootloader | GRUB (LinaraOS theme) |
| Live User | linara / linara |
| Architecture | x86_64 |
Purpose
LinaraOS is built for people who do serious work:
- Science & Research — access AI tools, science paper databases, and a full office suite out of the box
- Anonymity & Privacy — Tor, I2P, privacy-hardened browser, and traffic bypass tools pre-installed
- Electronic Design — full KiCAD suite with 3D libraries and demos for PCB design
- 3D & Visual Arts — vector graphics, digital painting, and image processing tools
- Learning & Programming — Rust toolchain, development tools, QEMU virtualization, and AI-assisted coding
- AI — curated browser bookmarks linking to AI tools and research resources
- Media Production — screen recording, audio editing, video playback, and music tools
- Security & Networks — Wireshark, Nmap, Flashrom, and network analysis utilities
Desktop Environments
XFCE4 (Primary)
The default desktop. Lightweight, stable, and practical for daily use — especially for KiCAD PCB design and general workflows. Launches automatically on login.
Hyprland (Wayland)
A dynamic tiling Wayland compositor for power users. Includes Hyprpaper (wallpaper), Waybar (status bar), and full XDG portal integration (xdg-desktop-portal-hyprland, -wlr, -gtk, -xapp).
Software
Privacy & Anonymity
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| Librewolf | Privacy-hardened Firefox fork |
| Tor Browser | Anonymous browsing via the Tor network |
| I2P (i2pd) | Invisible Internet Project — anonymous overlay network |
| Wireshark | Network protocol analyzer |
| Nmap | Network discovery and security scanning |
| KeePassXC | Offline password manager |
| Nekoray + Hysteria2 | System proxy for censorship bypass |
Electronic Design
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| KiCAD | Professional PCB and schematic design suite |
| KiCAD Library | Standard symbol and footprint libraries |
| KiCAD 3D Library | 3D component models for PCB visualization |
| KiCAD Demos | Example projects |
| Arduino IDE | Microcontroller programming environment |
| Flashrom | Firmware chip reading/writing tool |
| Android Tools (ADB/Fastboot) | Android device interfacing |
Science & Research
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| LibreOffice Fresh | Full office suite (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw) |
| Atril | Scientific and general document viewer |
| AI Bookmarks | Curated browser bookmarks for AI tools and science paper databases |
Creative & Visual Arts
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| Inkscape | Professional vector graphics editor |
| Krita | Digital painting and illustration |
| ImageMagick | Command-line image processing |
| Flameshot | Screenshot and annotation tool |
| Feh | Lightweight image viewer |
Media Production
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Screen recording and live streaming |
| Audacity | Audio recording and editing |
| MPV | Versatile media player |
| FFmpeg | Audio/video conversion and processing |
| CMUS | Terminal-based music player |
Development & Programming
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| Rustup | Rust programming language toolchain manager |
| Git | Version control |
| base-devel | GCC, Make, and core build tools |
| CMake | Cross-platform build system |
| QEMU (full) | Full system and user-mode emulation / virtualization |
| Fish Shell | User-friendly interactive shell |
| Ranger + FZF | Terminal file manager with fuzzy finder |
Security & Networking
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| ConnMan + connman-gtk | Network connection manager |
| QBittorrent | BitTorrent client |
| FileZilla | FTP/SFTP client |
| Wireshark | Packet capture and analysis |
| Nmap | Port scanner and network mapper |
System & Utilities
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| PipeWire + WirePlumber | Modern audio/video server |
| Pavucontrol | PulseAudio/PipeWire volume control |
| BTOP | Resource monitor |
| BleachBit | System cleaner |
| Thunar + Archive Plugin | File manager with archive integration |
| File Roller | Archive manager |
| Leafpad | Lightweight text editor |
| GNOME Keyring | Credential storage |
Gaming
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| Xonotic | Fast-paced open-source first-person shooter |
System Architecture
Init System
LinaraOS ships with OpenRC by default. The ISO build also supports Dinit, Runit, and S6 — selectable at install time via the Calamares installer.
Graphics Stack
- Mesa (open-source GPU drivers)
- Vulkan (via
vulkan-intel) - Intel Media Driver (VA-API hardware acceleration)
- Xorg drivers: Intel, AMD, ATI, Nouveau, AMDGPU, VESA, and more
Audio
PipeWire handles all audio with pipewire-pulse for PulseAudio compatibility, pipewire-alsa for ALSA compatibility, and WirePlumber as the session manager.
Boot
- GRUB with a custom LinaraOS theme (white rounded menu, dark background)
- Plymouth splash screen with the LinaraOS theme during boot
- Kernel parameters:
quiet splash loglevel=3 vt.global_cursor_default=0
Live Session
Boot from the ISO to try LinaraOS without installing anything.
| Username | linara |
| Password | linara |
| Autologin | Yes (XFCE4 via Ly) |
| Hostname | artix-live |
The live session has full access to all pre-installed software.
Installation
LinaraOS includes the Calamares graphical installer with two modes:
- Offline — installs the full pre-built system from the ISO image. Fast and reliable.
- Online — lets you select packages and init system during setup. Requires an internet connection.
Offline Install Steps
- Boot the ISO
- Launch the installer from the desktop
- Select language, keyboard, timezone, and disk partitioning
- Create your user account
- Confirm and install
Repository Structure
iso-profiles/
├── xfce/ # XFCE profile (primary)
│ ├── profile.yaml # Package lists and service config
│ ├── root-overlay/ # Files placed on the installed system
│ └── set_grub_theme.sh # GRUB theme activation script
├── common/ # Shared base across all profiles
│ ├── root-overlay/ # Base system config (grub, fstab, etc.)
│ ├── live-overlay/ # Live ISO-specific config (autologin, etc.)
│ ├── gtk/root-overlay/ # GTK theming and GRUB theme assets
│ └── conf/ # Calamares installer configuration
├── base/
├── cinnamon/
├── plasma/
└── ...
Building the ISO
Requires artools on an Artix Linux host.
# Build with OpenRC (default)
buildiso -p xfce -i openrc
# Build with Dinit
buildiso -p xfce -i dinit
# Build with Runit
buildiso -p xfce -i runit
# Build with S6
buildiso -p xfce -i s6
After installation, apply the GRUB theme:
sudo bash set_grub_theme.sh
License
See LICENSE.
LinaraOS — SOCIO-CYBEREENG — THE OPERATING SYSTEM