Artix Linux

Artix Linux
DeveloperCore team,[1] Developer team,[2] Support staff[3]
Written inC
OS familyLinux (Unix-like)
Working stateCurrent
Source modelOpen-source
Latest release20250407 / October 21, 2025 (2025-10-21) [note 1]
Latest previewWeekly ISO's
Repositorygitea.artixlinux.org
Package managerpacman
Supported platformsAMD64 and ARM64[4]
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
UserlandGNU
Default
user interface		Unix shell, LXQt, LXDE, MATE, Cinnamon, Plasma, XFCE
Official websiteartixlinux.org

Artix Linux (or simply Artix /ɑːrtɪks/) is a rolling-release Linux distribution based on Arch Linux that avoids using systemd, instead allowing users to choose between OpenRC, runit, s6, and dinit.[5][6]

Artix Linux has its own repositories, and it is not recommended by developers to use Arch packages due to differences such as naming conventions and contrasting init systems.

Arch AURs, a user created respository of Arch programs, are commonly used by Artix users and developers, although not officially supported. This greatly expands the available software for Artix.

Arch OpenRC[7] and Manjaro OpenRC were started in 2012. In 2017,[8][9] these projects were merged and Artix Linux was created.

Release history

Artix initially offered two installation environments, a base command-line ISO image and the graphical Calamares installer based on LXQt desktop,[10] with an i3 version following later.[11] Those early versions featured the OpenRC[12] init system. The latest installation media are also available in a variety of desktop environments like LXDE, LXQt, XFCE, MATE, Cinnamon and KDE Plasma.[13] Additionally, two unofficial community editions featuring GTK (XFCE and MATE) and Qt (KDE Plasma) desktops and a larger software base are offered, aiming at too-busy-to-customise or less experienced, novice users.[14] All current installation media come in OpenRC, runit, s6, and dinit versions, with the exception of the community ISOs that offer OpenRC only. In July of 2025 the distro released a community live distro based on XLibre, a fork of X Server X.org

Artix and Gnome

Artix dropped support for the popular Gnome Desktop Management environment because of its dependency on SystemD in a fashion that can not be easily worked around.[15]

Reception

An early review published on DistroWatch on 27 November 2017 found a few bugs, but overall "Artix is working with a good idea [...] It's minimal, it is rolling and it offers a little-used init system. All of these I think make the project worthwhile."[16] More critical, another review at the time from linux-community.de concluded "the results so far are not exactly motivating."[17] Much more favourable reviews were later featured in both sites.[18][19] A review from Softpedia gave Artix a 5 out of 5 stars rating, noting its "beautiful and pleasant graphical environments."[20] Distrowatch readers' reviews on Distrowatch are mostly very favourable, with an average rating of 9.3 out of 10.[21]

Notes

  1. ^ Artix Linux releases stable and weekly ISOs; stable images are tested to ensure Artix will boot and install the intended way and are released bi-annually. However, it is recommended to try the weekly ISOs first and only fallback to the stable ones in case of issues.

References

  1. ^ "These people started Artix". ArtixLinux.
  2. ^ "These people make Artix run". ArtixLinux.
  3. ^ "These people take care of the community". ArtixLinux.
  4. ^ "ARMtix".
  5. ^ Red, Ramces (April 18, 2022). "What Is Artix Linux and How to Install It". Make Tech Easier. Archived from the original on July 23, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  6. ^ "Artix Linux : Introduction and Installation". GeeksforGeeks. February 1, 2024. Archived from the original on March 29, 2025. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  7. ^ "Archlinux, systemd-free". systemd-free.artixlinux.org. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  8. ^ "Return of the Jedi". systemd-free.artixlinux.org/news.php. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  9. ^ "Manjaro-openrc will be discontinued". Manjaro Linux Forum. July 28, 2017. Archived from the original on April 29, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  10. ^ "Early Artix Linux ISOs". Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  11. ^ "Early Artix Linux ISOs / i3". Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "OpenRC".
  13. ^ "Artix Linux minimal ISOs". Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "Artix Linux community ISOs". Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  15. ^ "Artix Linux Bids Farewell to GNOME: A Deep Dive into Systemd's Influence". Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  16. ^ "First Artix Linux review at Distrowatch". Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  17. ^ "New Arch Linux variant without systemd". Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  18. ^ "Artix Linux 20200125". Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  19. ^ "Small and compact: Artix - Arch Linux without Systemd". Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  20. ^ "A simple, fast, systemd-free operating system based on Arch Linux and OpenRC or Runit". July 2, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  21. ^ "Reader supplied reviews for Artix Linux". Retrieved January 31, 2024.
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