RakuOS
An atomic, image-based Linux distro, with your package manager intact.
Transactional image updates. Immutable base. Instant rollback. Install anything natively.
Built on Fedora • Image-based via bootc • Atomic Image Updates • P03 Optimization Kernel
Atomic image updates. Immutable base. Your packages stay.
RakuOS is an atomic, image-based Linux distribution. The entire base system ships as a bootc OCI image; updates swap the image atomically, so there's no partial-upgrade state, no broken system mid-update, and instant rollback to the previous image if anything goes wrong.
Atomic means updates apply as a single transaction — the system either fully updates or stays exactly as it was. Immutable means the base OS cannot be accidentally modified at runtime, protecting system integrity. These are two distinct, complementary properties, and RakuOS has both.
On top of that immutable base, RakuOS adds a persistent overlay on /usr
so you can install any native RPM package and have it survive every system update automatically — no slow
layering, no rebuilds.
- ✓ Transactional image updates via bootc, atomic swap, not package-by-package
- ✓ Immutable base, system integrity protected at all times
- ✓ Instant rollback to any previous image on a bad update
- ✓ Native packages persist across updates via persistent overlay
- ✓ Works with
dnf,dnf5, or RakuOS Software Center - ✓ One-command reset restores a pristine base instantly
Install anything. The way Linux always worked.
$ sudo dnf install steam
$ rakuos install lutris heroic-games-launcher
$ rakuos update
What other atomic distros got wrong, and how we fixed it.
RakuOS exists because atomic Linux had real problems. We solved them without throwing out what makes atomic Linux great.
No More Layering Hell
rpm-ostree layering is painfully slow and breaks after major updates. RakuOS replaces it entirely with a fast persistent overlay — packages install in seconds and survive every update automatically.
Unbreakable Base
Your base system is always immutable and recoverable. A bad update? Boot into the previous image instantly with bootc rollback. Overlay packages stay intact either way.
GUI Package Management
RakuOS Software Center works natively with the overlay. Browse and install native packages from a full GUI — no terminal required.
Native Gaming. Not Flatpak.
Steam, Lutris, and Heroic Launcher install natively for maximum Proton and Wine compatibility. Native packages outperform Flatpak for gaming, now possible on an atomic distro.
Fast Boot. Always.
Overlay mounts in milliseconds during early boot, before the login manager even starts. Installed packages are available immediately.
Instant Reset
Want a clean system? Wipe the overlay and reboot — your OS returns to pristine state instantly.
Terra Repos, Built In
RakuOS ships with Terra Repos enabled by default and is officially supported by the Terra team. That means broader hardware support out of the box, extra codecs and drivers, and access to Terra's growing catalog of curated native packages — all without adding a single repo yourself.
Built to go fast.
RakuOS doesn't just protect your system, it makes it faster.
P03 Kernel
Improved responsiveness, lower latency, and better CPU scheduling out of the box.
Minimal & Clean
No bloatware. Only what you need — everything else is your choice to add.
Built for every kind of user.
Gaming
Install Steam, Lutris, and Heroic natively for Proton/Wine compatibility. Pair with the P03 kernel and MangoHud for a complete gaming setup.
Workstation
Compile code, run VMs, handle heavy workloads, all on a rock-solid base. Distrobox keeps dev environments fully isolated.
General Use
Browsing, media, office, creativity — RakuOS stays fast and clean. Updates never break things; the system works the same on day 1 and day 1000.
Pick your desktop. Keep your freedom.
Every edition ships the same hybrid atomic core. Just choose the desktop you love.
KDE Plasma
Flagship edition. Powerful, customisable, and familiar. The most polished RakuOS experience.
FlagshipGNOME
Clean, modern, and distraction-free. Perfect for productivity-focused users.
COSMIC
System76's next-generation desktop. Fast, minimal, and built for the future.
Betaniri
Scrollable-tiling Wayland compositor. Fast, keyboard-driven, built for power users.
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