https://rakuos.org/forum https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/encryption-update-isos-refreshed https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/encryption-update-isos-refreshed Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:01:52 +0000 We've been working through some issues with disk encryption in the installer and have them sorted out. ### What was happening A serialization mismatch between the UI and the installer backend meant the encryption type was never being read correctly, so LUKS was silently skipping setup entirely or incorrectly configuring encryption. ### What's fixed - LUKS encryption now actually sets up correctly during installation - TPM2 auto-unlock works (tested in VM with swtpm and on real hardware) - The TPM2 option is now hidden on systems without a TPM device - Done page passphrase reminder only shows when you actually set up encryption - Secure Boot enrollment notice only shows if the key was enrolled during that specific install ### Two encryption options are available | Option | Description | |--------|-------------| | **Passphrase** | Standard LUKS2 software encryption. Works on any hardware, you enter your passphrase on every boot. | | **TPM2 auto-unlock** | Unlocks automatically on boot using your TPM chip, falls back to passphrase if TPM fails. Requires TPM2 + Secure Boot for full security. | If you previously installed with encryption enabled and it didn't seem to work — that's why. A fresh install will set it up correctly now. ## Download All Isos are avalible at [https://rakuos.org/download](https://rakuos.org/download) https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-2026616 https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-2026616 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:43:07 +0000 ### All Editions - **New Installer** Anaconda is gone. RakuOS now ships our own home-grown installer across all desktop environments (GNOME, KDE, COSMIC) - **uutils-coreutils** more tweaks as added [ and test to the uutils out of box setup, which now covers all coreutils - **Codec fixes** compressed media packages corrected after a regression in the previous build - **update alias fixed** `update` now runs `rakuos upgrade` to upgrade all rpms, flatpaks and system image - **Mesa** updated to latest available - **repo.rakuos.org** added missing i686 packaging for steam (WINE/Proton gaming) ### COSMIC Edition - Added **NetworkManager-wifi** Wi-Fi connections should now work out of the box - Removed Flux (not ready for stable) ## Download All Isos are avalible at [https://rakuos.org/download](https://rakuos.org/download) https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-20260614-release-notes https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-20260614-release-notes Sun, 14 Jun 2026 04:10:51 +0000 ## Headline: We Now Have Our Own Package Repository RakuOS Linux no longer depends on COPR for package hosting. We now run our own RPM repository at **repo.rakuos.org**, served globally via Cloudflares Edge CDN and built on a custom Rust-based server. Packages are compiled and published automatically through GitLab CI/CD pipelines and delivered directly to your system. This means faster updates, higher availability, and full control over every package we ship. --- ## System & Image - **CachyOS Kernel 7.0+** ships with the latest CachyOS kernel including Valve's VRAM prioritization fixes. On KDE this works natively out of the box; on GNOME and COSMIC it works through gamescope. - **Updated codecs** media codec packages have been refreshed for broader format support. - **Updated Mesa** graphics stack updated to the latest Mesa. - **7-Zip added** `7zip` is now included in the base image. - **Tealdeer added** a fast `tldr` client ships by default for quick command reference. - **Fastfetch updated** the system info display tool has been refreshed. - **Better Podman/Distrobox support** `policy.json` has been updated to give Distrobox and Podman containers the access they need. - **Removed COPR repositories** third-party COPR repos have been cleaned out now that packages are served from our own repo. - **NVIDIA Drivers** NVIDIA Driver issues should be resolved if your still having issues please report it to us. ### SELinux A significant amount of work went into cleaning up the SELinux policy across all desktop editions. Several conflicts and labelling issues that caused subtle runtime failures have been resolved. --- ## Overlay System The overlay is what makes RakuOS Linux work it sits on top of the immutable base image and holds everything you install from dnf. This release brings major reliability improvements. ### Self-Healing Overlay Go ahead. `rm -rf /usr`. We dare you. RakuOS Linux 44 detects in real time if critical system paths have been wiped and automatically reverses the damage removing whiteout files and rebuilding the overlay from the clean base image on next boot. Whether it's a rogue command, a misbehaving script, or a curious moment of bravery, the system recovers on its own. No reinstall required. ### Other System Fixes & Improvements - **Whiteout file detection fix** an edge case where deleted base files could leave phantom whiteout entries has been resolved. - **32-bit package exclusion fix** packages with no architecture suffix no longer accidentally exclude 32-bit variants that aren't installed in the base image. - **`libva-utils` fix** this package was incorrectly being blocked from overlay installs. - **NSS can now be updated** browser-critical NSS libraries can now be updated through the overlay for security patches. - **User icon directory** `~/.local/share/icons` is now created on first run so icon themes install correctly. - **`uutils` coreutils ships by default** RakuOS Linux 44 ships [uutils](https://github.com/uutils/coreutils), a memory-safe Rust rewrite of the Unix core utilities, as the default `cp`, `mv` ETC and friends. If you prefer the classic GNU coreutils, run `rakuos setup-uutils gnu` to swap and run `rakuos setup-uutils uutils` to switch back. Your preference is preserved across overlay resets and image updates. - **`sudo-rs` ships by default** RakuOS Linux 44 ships [sudo-rs](https://github.com/trifectatechfoundation/sudo-rs), a memory-safe Rust implementation of sudo, as the default privilege escalation tool with `Defaults pwfeedback` so you get asterisk feedback when typing your password. Run `rakuos setup-sudo {option}` to configure which implementation the system uses (sudo-rs,sudo,doas, or run0). - **`rpm-ostree` wrapper** `rpm-ostree` commands are now wrapped to redirect users to the appropriate `bootc`, `dnf`, or RakuOS Linux commands. --- ## Software Center ### All Editions - **Background install/remove queue** installs and removals now run in a background queue. You can freely navigate around the app while packages install without losing progress. A status banner keeps you informed. - **Distrobox manager** a full Distrobox container management interface has been added to all three UIs (GNOME, KDE, COSMIC). Create, clone, upgrade, stop, and remove containers; export applications and binaries to your desktop; manage per-container app menus all from within the software center. Custom image support is included for pulling any container image you want. - **Podman container update support** Podman containers are now shown on the Updates page alongside Flatpak and system updates. - **Flatpak update fixes** several issues with Flatpak updates not appearing or applying correctly have been resolved hopefully, if you are still having issues please report them. --- ## Welcome App - **First-run window can now be closed** the welcome app window can be dismissed normally. Previously closing the window would cause it to reappear on next login; it now marks setup as complete when you close it. - **Install → Finish navigation** the app now lets you move to the finish page even when no installations are in progress, so you're never stuck waiting. - **`sudo-rs` compatibility** all privilege escalation in the welcome app now uses `sudo-rs` even when another tool is used system wide. - **Brave Origin Stable** switched from the beta channel to the stable release of Brave Origin browser; updated app metadata to match. - **Sunshine** added as a native package with correct app metadata. --- ## Download All Isos are avalible at [https://rakuos.org/download](https://rakuos.org/download) https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-20260602-release-notes-origami-linux-merge https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-20260602-release-notes-origami-linux-merge Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:36:44 +0000 ### Highlights This release marks the merger of **Origami Linux into RakuOS**, bringing both communities together under one stronger atomic Fedora-based distribution. With this release we're also shipping the **Origami Paper theme** across all desktop editions and a major overhaul of theming, tooling, and the update experience. --- ### Migrating to Quay.io — Action Required for Existing Users RakuOS images have moved from the GitLab container registry to **Quay.io**. All editions are now available at `quay.io/rakuos/`. **Step 1 — Allow Quay.io in your current policy:** ```bash sudo sed -i '/"docker": {/a\ "quay.io\/rakuos": [{"type": "insecureAcceptAnything"}],' /etc/containers/policy.json ``` **Step 2 — Switch to your edition on Quay.io:** **GNOME:** `bootc switch quay.io/rakuos/rakuos-gnome:latest` **KDE:** `bootc switch quay.io/rakuos/rakuos-kde:latest` **COSMIC:** `bootc switch quay.io/rakuos/rakuos-cosmic:latest` **GNOME (NVIDIA):** `bootc switch quay.io/rakuos/rakuos-gnome-nvidia:latest` **KDE (NVIDIA):** `bootc switch quay.io/rakuos/rakuos-kde-nvidia:latest` **COSMIC (NVIDIA):** `bootc switch quay.io/rakuos/rakuos-cosmic-nvidia:latest` **Step 3 — Reboot, then enable image verification:** After rebooting, run this to enforce Sigstore signature verification for all future updates: ```bash sudo sed -i 's|"quay.io/rakuos": \[{"type": "insecureAcceptAnything"}\],|"quay.io/rakuos": [{"type": "sigstoreSigned", "keyPath": "/etc/pki/containers/rakuos-cosign.pub", "signedIdentity": {"type": "matchRepository"}}],|' /etc/containers/policy.json ``` All future updates will now be verified with our signing keys. You only need to do this once. --- ### System & Base Image - **Image signing** All RakuOS images are on Quay.io and are now cosign-signed. `bootc upgrade` verifies signatures before applying updates - **Quay.io migration** Images moved from GitLab registry to `quay.io/rakuos/` for better reliability and due to some changes on gitlab. - **Chunkah layer optimization** Images are built with `chunkah` to prune and repack OSTree layers before pushing, resulting in smaller, more efficient image diffs and faster `bootc upgrade` downloads - **zstd:chunked compression** Faster, more efficient delta updates --- ### New Look Icons, Cursor, Wallpaper & Fonts - **WhiteSur icon theme** sleek macOS-inspired icon set shipped across all editions - **Bibata cursor theme** modern, clean cursor theme - **New RakuOS wallpaper** custom wallpaper replacing Fedora defaults - **Maple Mono fonts** new default monospace font - **Inter (rsms-inter)** clean sans-serif UI font - **Full Noto CJK & script support** Noto Sans CJK, Balinese, Javanese, Myanmar, Sundanese and more for broad language coverage - **Custom RakuOS fastfetch preset** RakuOS ASCII art and system info theme --- ### Theming Origami Paper - **Origami Paper theme** ported to all editions (GNOME, KDE, COSMIC) - **Libadwaita color scheme** support added GNOME apps respect the RakuOS theme correctly - **GTK theme watcher** automatically re-applies RakuOS theming when the GTK theme changes, keeping things consistent - **Icon theme preserved** Icon theme is kept in sync when the GTK theme changes --- ### New Base Image Packages - `btop`, `htop`, `nvtop` system and GPU monitoring - `bat`, `bat-extras`, `lsd`, `dust`, `dysk`, `procs`, `ripgrep`, `fzf`, `zoxide` modern CLI replacements - `lazygit` terminal Git UI - `fish`, `zsh`, `starship`, `zellij`, `tmux` shell and terminal tools - `distrobox` run other Linux distros in containers - `cava`, `cbonsai`, `cowsay`, `lolcat`, `figlet`, `termflix` terminal eye candy - `surge`, `bore-sysctl`, `dmemcg-booster` system performance tuning - `opendoas`, `sudo-rs` alternative privilege escalation tools - `solaar-udev`, `openrgb-udev-rules`, `oversteer-udev`, `ratbagd` gaming peripheral support - `wireguard-tools` VPN support - `pam-u2f`, `pamu2fcfg`, `pam_yubico`, `yubikey-manager` hardware security key support - `aria2`, `rsync` download and sync tools - `podman`, `podman-compose` container tooling - `libcamera` + GStreamer integration camera support - `libimobiledevice-utils` iOS device support - `virtualbox-guest-additions` VM guest support - `just` command runner --- ### KDE (Plasma 6.6) - **All core KDE apps moved into the image** leaning fully into the atomic model; the default overlay contains only Firefox - **SCX scheduler manager** moved into the base image better CPU scheduling out of the box - Origami Paper theme available on KDE --- ### COSMIC (1.0.14) - **All core COSMIC apps moved into the image** leaning fully into the atomic model; the default overlay contains only Firefox - **New extension apps** `cosmic-ext-applet-clipboard-manager`, `cosmic-ext-applet-logomenu`, `cosmic-ext-applet-sysinfo`, `cosmic-ext-applet-flux`, `cosmic-ext-calculator`, `cosmic-ext-camera`, `cosmic-ext-noctua`, `cosmic-ext-storage`, `cosmic-ext-tasks`, `cosmic-ext-xcalendar` - **New core apps** `cosmic-player` (media player), `cosmic-reader` (document reader) - **SCX scheduler manager** moved into the image better CPU scheduling out of the box - **cosmic-flux-daemon** user service enabled by default - **Welcome app streamlined** cleaner first-run experience - **Screen reader defaults to off** on the accessibility setup page - Origami Paper theme available on COSMIC --- ### GNOME (GNOME 50) - **All core GNOME apps moved into the image** leaning fully into the atomic model; the default overlay contains only Firefox - **GNOME theming overhauled** improved theme application across GTK3/4 and native apps - Origami Paper + Libadwaita color scheme applied consistently and nothing is applied that could break gtk apps --- ### Welcome App - **GTK, Qt and COSMIC welcome apps overhauled** major UI improvements across all setup pages - **Keyboard, language, and location pages** added - **Prevents `cosmic-initial-setup`** from running alongside the RakuOS welcome on COSMIC - **Icon loading fixed** resolves correctly from appstream cache - **`pkexec` removed** from app install flow - **Screen reader defaults to off** --- ### RakuOS Software Center - **Quay.io update checks** with fallback for reliable update detection - **bootc update/switch flow completely overhauled** more reliable, using a one shot systemd unit - **Flatpak update fixes** and GTK app search improvements - **Background daemon** sends desktop notifications when updates complete - **Custom kernel argument management** --- ### RakuOS CLI - **`rakuos upgrade`** new all-in-one command: updates overlay packages, upgrades Flatpaks, then upgrades the system image - **`rakuos shell`** switch your login shell between fish, bash, and zsh - **`rakuos enroll-secureboot-key`** enroll the RakuOS Secure Boot MOK key - **Flatpak migration fix** users rebasing from another distro no longer lose their installed Flatpaks - **Sudoers permissions** always set correctly on first boot - **Quay.io digest checking** update detection compares actual image digests --- ### Virtual Camera Support (v4l2loopback) The `v4l2loopback` kernel module is now included out of the box, enabling virtual camera support across all editions. This allows applications such as OBS Studio to use the **Virtual Camera** feature, letting you pipe your stream/scene output into video conferencing apps like Discord, Google Meet, Zoom, and others as a camera source no manual driver installation required. --- ### Overlay Changes - Overlay is **minimal by default** Firefox is the only pre-installed overlay package. Current RakuOS users may need to run `sudo rakuos reset-overlay --confirm` or factory reset from RakuOS Software before rebooting to apply update ### Download - All isos can be download at [https://rakuos.org/download](https://rakuos.org/download) https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-20260522-secure-boot-support https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-20260522-secure-boot-support Fri, 22 May 2026 10:21:54 +0000 We are happy to announce that RakuOS now ships with full Secure Boot support across all editions (KDE, GNOME, COSMIC) and all ISO variants (AMD/Intel and NVIDIA). --- ## What's New - **Signed kernel and drivers** — The CachyOS kernel and all custom kernel modules (xpadneo, xpad-noone, zenergy, xone, NVIDIA) are now signed with the RakuOS Secure Boot key. - **Automatic key enrollment** — The installer queues the RakuOS signing key during installation. On first boot you will just need to enter the password. - **Live ISO boots with Secure Boot enabled** — You no longer need to disable Secure Boot to run the installer. - **CPU compatibility check** — The installer now detects and warns if your CPU does not meet the x86-64-v3 requirement (Intel Haswell 2013+ / AMD Zen 2017+) before installation begins. --- ## Fresh Install 1. Boot the ISO — Secure Boot can remain **enabled** in your firmware. 2. Install normally through the Anaconda installer. 3. On **first reboot after installation** a blue **MOK Manager** screen will appear. 4. Select **Enroll MOK** → **Continue**. 5. Enter the enrollment password: `rakuos` 6. Select **Reboot**. From this point forward your system will boot with Secure Boot fully active. --- ## Enrolling the Key on an Existing Install If you are already running RakuOS and want to enable Secure Boot, run the following command in a terminal: ```bash rakuos enroll-secureboot-key ``` Then: 1. **Reboot** your system. 2. A blue **MOK Manager** screen will appear before the OS loads. 3. Select **Enroll MOK** → **Continue**. 4. Enter the enrollment password: `rakuos` 5. Select **Reboot**. 6. Go into your UEFI firmware settings and **enable Secure Boot**. Your system will boot normally from this point with Secure Boot active. --- ## What Gets Signed | Component | Signed | |---|---| | CachyOS kernel (`vmlinuz`) | ✓ | | xpadneo (Xbox controller driver) | ✓ | | xpad-noone (Xbox controller driver) | ✓ | | zenergy (AMD energy sensor driver) | ✓ | | xone (Xbox One wireless adapter driver) | ✓ | | NVIDIA kernel modules | ✓ NVIDIA ISO only | --- ## Notes - The live ISO uses a standard signed Fedora kernel solely to boot the installer. The installed system always uses the full CachyOS kernel. - If you experience a Secure Boot violation after a system image update, re-run `rakuos enroll-secureboot-key`. This should only be necessary if the signing key ever changes. - More information and troubleshooting at [rakuos.org/docs/secure-boot](https://rakuos.org/docs/secure-boot). https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-20260521-bug-fix-release https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-20260521-bug-fix-release Thu, 21 May 2026 06:16:26 +0000 This is a maintenance refresh of RakuOS Linux 44 addressing several bugs and stability improvements reported since the initial release. --- ### System & Overlay Fixes - **Fixed an issue where the overlay sync would incorrectly trigger after an overlay update had already run** — the session dirty file is now properly cleaned up, preventing unnecessary re-syncs on the next boot - **Fixed service startup ordering** that could cause overlay services to start in the wrong sequence - **Fixed soft resets** not completing correctly in certain conditions - **Overlay sync no longer runs if an overlay update has already completed the current session**, preventing redundant operations and potential conflicts and unwanted system reboots --- ### Gaming, Virtualization Setup & DNF Fixes - **Fixed `setup-gaming` and `setup-virtualization` failing to install packages** — certain packages were being incorrectly excluded by DNF, preventing the setup scripts from completing. The DNF configuration has been corrected so these packages install as expected - **`python3-brotli` added to the packages list** to prevent it from being excluded so Lutris works as expected - **Updated the system upgrade command** to use the correct invocation --- ### Software Center - **Fixed the install/remove lock not being respected during an overlay update** — the Software Center now correctly disables install and remove actions while an update is in progress - **Improved behavior when an overlay update is running** — package installations from repositories are now blocked during database updates, and the initial daemon update check is held until the lock clears - **Fixed initial Flatpak install issues** that could fail silently in certain configurations - **Tray icon fixes and COSMIC desktop improvements** for the Software Center - **UI updates** to better blend with Qt theming - **Install/Remove buttons are now visually greyed out** while the overlay update lock is active, making the locked state clear to users --- ### Live Environment - **Fixed COSMIC desktop favorites** not showing the installer shortcut correctly in the live session --- **Download:** [https://rakuos.org/download](https://rakuos.org/download) A proper bug tracker is coming soon but until then please keep reporting any bugs/issues on the forums and our Matrix server [https://matrix.rakuos.org](https://matrix.rakuos.org) https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-20260516 https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/rakuos-linux-44-20260516 Sat, 16 May 2026 18:23:22 +0000 **RakuOS Linux 44 is here, and improved.** Previous releases were functional, but they had rough edges especially around the overlay system, driver handling, and build reliability. RakuOS Linux 44 is the release where all of those systems have come together. We're confident calling this the first proper stable release of RakuOS Linux. --- ## What's New ### Sponsored by CDN77 RakuOS Linux 44 ISO downloads are powered by [CDN77](https://cdn77.com), our new CDN sponsor. Fast, reliable downloads no matter where you are. A big thank you to CDN77 for their support of the project. --- ### Based on Fedora 44 RakuOS Linux 44 is built on Fedora 44, shipping with: - **GNOME 50** - **Plasma 6.6** - **COSMIC 1.0.13** --- ### CachyOS Kernel 7.0+ All editions ship with the CachyOS Kernel 7.0+, bringing the latest performance optimizations, scheduler improvements, and hardware support on top of the upstream kernel. --- ### The Overlay System Completely Overhauled This is the biggest change in RakuOS Linux 44 and the one that matters most to users coming from 43. **The old behavior (RakuOS Linux 43):** On every image update, your overlay was wiped. The system blocked at a black screen or Plymouth while all your packages were reinstalled from scratch. No network? No usable system. This was especially painful for laptop users on spotty Wi-Fi. **The new behavior (RakuOS Linux 44):** - Your overlay is **kept intact** across image updates your apps stay installed and usable immediately after reboot - Package database rebuilding now happens **silently in the background** after you log in - **Desktop notifications** keep you informed of rebuild progress - **No network on boot?** The system handles it gracefully, defers the rebuild to your next boot with a notification explaining what happened, and retries automatically for functions that require network. This ONLY applies to overlay reset operations that require a network connection. - **Image updates are now fully offline** no internet connection required after an image update is installed. The RPM database merge and package list reconciliation work entirely from what's already on disk **Pre-baked overlay:** First boot is dramatically faster than RakuOS Linux 43. The overlay is now fully built and baked into the image at build time. On first boot, the pre-baked state is copied directly into place no waiting for dnf, no downloads, no delay. We had attepmed to push this in 43 but had to revert and bring it back to staging to cook more, now its ready. --- ### New Driver Model All drivers including NVIDIA are now **compiled from upstream source at image build time**. No runtime DKMS, no post-install compilation, no waiting for drivers to build on your machine. - **NVIDIA**: pulled directly from NVIDIA's upstream `.run` payload, compiled against the CachyOS kernel, with the initramfs baked in, always ships the latest driver - **Xbox controllers (xpadneo, xpad-noone, xone)**, and **zenergy** are all pre-compiled and ready on first boot and we will continue to over time add drivers to enable more hardware on RakuOS Linux --- ### Valve VRAM Prioritization Valve's VRAM prioritization patches are included in the CachyOS kernel and fully wired up: - **KDE**: works natively no gamescope needed, the required backend services handle it automatically - **GNOME / COSMIC**: works via gamescope --- ### RakuOS Software Major Updates The software center received a significant overhaul across all three UIs (GTK/GNOME, Qt/KDE, COSMIC): **COSMIC UI Full Implementation** The COSMIC edition now has complete feature parity with GNOME and KDE. App detail pages, add-ons popup with supported add-ons per package, system management page, update checking, and the full installed app view are all in. **GNOME Extensions** Browse, install, enable, disable, and manage settings for GNOME Shell extensions directly from RakuOS Software. The dedicated extension manager app has been removed it's all built in now, including extension updates in the updates page. **KDE Plasma Add-ons (KNS)** Install themes, widgets, color schemes, and other Plasma add-ons from the KDE Store directly within RakuOS Software using KNewStuff. **Web Apps** - Web app detail pages improved across all three UIs - Installed web apps now show a **Launch** button that opens the app properly via its desktop entry not in a browser tab - Lazy loading added to the web app catalog for faster browsing **Explore & Search** Lazy loading added to the explore page and search across all UIs large catalogs load faster and scroll smoothly. **Flatpak** Flatpak install and update handling fixed across all three UIs. **ODRS Reviews** App reviews from the Open Desktop Ratings Service are now shown on compatible app detail pages ONLY. --- ### Brave Browser Brave Browser is now available in RakuOS Software and the Brave repository is included out of the box. --- ### Build Pipeline & Quality Gates Nothing ships unless it passes: - **ISO health check** every image is tested before publishing, catching rpmdb corruption that container builds can miss - **Staged failure recovery** if a DE image build fails, all sibling pipelines cancel and rebuild from the base. If only an ISO test fails, only that DE retries others keep going - **Nothing ships until every DE has a clean passing ISO test** This release cycle also introduced a proper **staging → testing → stable** merge process. RakuOS Linux 44 is the first release built and validated through a full testing pipeline before shipping. --- ## Upgrading from RakuOS Linux 43 **In-place upgrade via RakuOS Software or `bootc`:** Your installed packages are preserved. On the first boot after upgrading, the system automatically rebuilds them against the Fedora 44 repos. **An internet connection is required for this first boot only.** Every subsequent image update on RakuOS Linux 44 works completely offline after the image update. This is a one-time operation. **Note:** If you had issues with RakuOS Linux 43 especially overlay problems we strongly recommend a **clean install** of RakuOS Linux 44. One-time setup scripts (like Ollama GPU setup) may need to be rerun after a major version upgrade. --- ## What's Coming No ETAs these are initiatives we're starting to work on after this release: - **Enterprise Linux editions** RakuOS Linux Workstation and Server based on an Enterprise Linux base (CentOS Stream), bringing the same atomic + overlay model to a long-term stable foundation - **Bigscreen edition** Plasma Bigscreen as the desktop with a gamescope Steam launcher built in, for full couch computing (TV + gaming in one image) - **Pure gamescope edition** A dedicated SteamOS-style gaming image for gaming PCs and handhelds with nothing but the gaming session --- ## Download [https://rakuos.org/download](https://rakuos.org/download) --- A proper bug tracker is coming soon but until then keep reporting any bugs/issues on the forums and our Matrix server [https://matrix.rakuos.org](https://matrix.rakuos.org) https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/20260422-isos-released https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/20260422-isos-released Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:03:11 +0000 ## Changes since April 15, 2026 This release is focused on polish, reliability, and making installs and updates behave much more cleanly across the board. A lot of work in this cycle went into reducing first-boot pain, improving GitLab-based infrastructure, and tightening up recovery behavior so systems stay usable even when a branch is having a rough day. ## Highlights ### Much better first-boot behavior One of the biggest changes in this release is how the initial package overlay is handled. Instead of depending so heavily on a full first-boot network install, RakuOS Linux now prebakes the default application overlay into the image and seeds it into place on deployment. On first boot, the system now finalizes that initial overlay from the baked cache instead of rebuilding everything from scratch over the network. This should significantly improve: - fresh installs - first boot without internet - reset behavior - consistency between installed systems and the shipped default app set Overlay reset behavior was also updated so resets can reseed from the baked factory state and follow the same finalization flow, rather than falling back to the older repo-first behavior. ### Better resilience when networking is missing Several fixes landed around cases where networking is unavailable during boot or setup. RakuOS Linux now handles no-internet situations more gracefully in places where it previously could stall or fail harder than it should. That includes overlay-related flows and live environment behavior, where the goal is now to get the user to a usable desktop instead of trapping them in a broken startup path. ### GitLab migration and release pipeline improvements A lot of infrastructure work landed in this cycle. RakuOS Linux image and ISO build flows have been moved further onto GitLab, including: - branch-aware image/ISO pipelines - working ISO pipelines for KDE, GNOME, and COSMIC - direct release to SourceForge - cleaner branch handling for `main`, `staging`, `rawhide`, and future work The ISO pipeline stack is now much more production-ready than it was a week ago. ### Live environment and installer cleanup The live environment was simplified so it behaves more like a clean live session and less like a half-installed system. Changes here include: - default apps being baked into the live environment - skipping unnecessary overlay install behavior in live sessions - cleaning up live-session overlay state before install testing - desktop-specific ISO config cleanup - disabling unwanted first-run apps in the live session where appropriate ### Update and migration fixes The update path got several important fixes, especially around the GitHub/GHCR to GitLab transition and branch-aware image handling. Fixes include: - better GitLab migration behavior - branch-aware image selection - correct handling for dated tags and branch tags - improved update checking logic - better handling of Rawhide versioning - fixes to updater behavior during branch and image transitions ### Flatpak and first-boot setup fixes The setup path also saw a set of cleanup fixes: - system setup fixes for first boot - more reliable Flathub remote setup behavior - fixes around missing `$HOME` / install-user home creation - tighter marker handling so one-shot setup tasks behave more predictably ### Software center improvements RakuOS Linux Software gained: - improved branch handling - Rawhide branch support in the UI - clearer branch switching behavior - improved warning behavior around unstable branches ### Performance and system polish This cycle also included a handful of lower-level quality improvements: - switched SSD/NVMe I/O scheduler behavior toward `adios` - fixed sudoers permissions - added custom Fastfetch branding config - fixed stale DNF plugin config handling with overlay maintaince - cleaned up service behavior and script organization ## Branch Notes ### Stable Stable is the recommended branch for normal use and for the refreshed ISOs associated with this release. ### Staging `staging` remains useful for testing upcoming work, but it should be treated as a development branch. Breakage is possible, especially around major Fedora transition periods. ### Rawhide `rawhide` is available for forward testing, but users should expect frequent breakage. Overlay-related breakage is especially possible there because the branch moves quickly and underlying package behavior can change often. Rawhide is not intended to provide a polished daily-driver experience. ## Summary This release is mostly about making RakuOS Linux feel less fragile: - smoother first boot - better reset and recovery behavior - better offline tolerance - cleaner ISO infrastructure - stronger GitLab-based release flow - improved update and migration handling That should make both new installs and day-to-day use much less painful than they were before. https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/20260415-isos-released https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/20260415-isos-released Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:53:06 +0000 # RakuOS Linux (2026.04.15) — Release Announcement **RakuOS Linux (2026.04.15)** is a major release and our last major update for the Fedora 43 base as we begin to move towards Fedora 44, introducing our first **COSMIC desktop edition ISO**, a new **live ISO installation experience**, and full **Rust rewrites of our core desktop applications**. --- ## First COSMIC ISO RakuOS Linux now ships its first **COSMIC desktop ISO**, alongside our existing GNOME and KDE editions. Built on the System76 COSMIC Desktop Environment, it delivers a clean, modern experience on top of RakuOS’s immutable, container-native foundation. > **Note of caution:** COSMIC is still maturing and currently has some issues with gaming. If you are a gamer, we recommend holding off on the COSMIC edition until these issues are resolved by System76. --- ## Live ISOs with Anaconda Web UI RakuOS Linux (2026.04.15) moves to a **live ISO format** across all desktop variants. You can boot into a full desktop environment, explore the system, and install when you're ready. Installation is powered by the **Anaconda Web UI** and installs the full bootc-based image directly from the live session — **no internet connection required during installation**. It supports our default BTRFS layout with zstd compression, handles both EFI and BIOS systems, and provides a smooth, modern installation experience. --- ## Move to main/staging branches for updates/features RakuOS Linux has been split into main(Stable) and staging(Testing) branches going forward. All updates, changes, ETC will land in staging before going into main(Stable) so the frequency of updates to systems running Stable will slow down going forward. Updates will move to once a week for system updates and should lower the chance of overlay breakage going forward on main(Stable). Staging will be be moving to Fedora 44 over the next couple days to give us time to test and work kinks out before the Fedora 44 release so we won't be far behind the upstream release. --- ## Plymouth Boot Messages RakuOS Linux (2026.04.15) improves transparency during boot and system operations with **descriptive Plymouth messages**. Instead of a silent spinner or blinking cursor, you’ll now see clear progress updates such as: - *Setting up live environment… → Live environment ready.* **Happens when booting Live ISOs** - *Installing default applications… → Default applications installed.* **Happens after full overlay resets or first boots** - *Wiping overlay and reinstalling user applications... → User applications reinstalled.* **Happens after soft overlay resets** - *Updating overlay package database… → Overlay package database updated.* **Happens after system updates to keep the overlay rpm database healthy and in sync with the system image** No more guessing whether the system is frozen or just busy. --- ## RakuOS Software — Rewritten in Rust **RakuOS Software** has been completely rewritten in Rust, replacing the previous Python implementation. Both the **GTK/libadwaita frontend** (for GNOME) and the **Qt/QML frontend** (for KDE and COSMIC) are now native, fast, and fully integrated with their respective desktops. This rewrite significantly improves performance, responsiveness, and long-term maintainability across the entire experience. ### What's new - **Faster performance** — startup, search, and browsing are dramatically improved - **Dual native UIs** — GTK4/libadwaita for GNOME, Qt6/QML for KDE/COSMIC (libcosmic ui coming soon) - **Flatpak + native + Appimages + web apps** — manage everything in one place - **Webapp catalog** is now built from and cached from a read only api at [rakuos.org/api/webapps](https://rakuos.org/api/webapps) - **Webapp Tray support** Certian webapps in the catalog can now support the system tray with a menu and running in background. Currently only the RakuOS Chat Matrix server Webapp has tray support. - **Custom web apps** — create app shortcuts for any website with custom names and icons - **Local file install** — open `.flatpak`, `.flatpakref`, RPM, or AppImage files directly and install them on to the system. - **Appimage updates** Appimages once installed can have update sources setup in the same way as can be done in Gearlever, so no need to install Gearlever in RakuOS unless you prefer it. - **Live-aware UI** — system management features are hidden in live sessions - **Improved System management** Vastly improved rollback, image switching, branch switching, and overlay reset options and ui on system page. - **System tray integration** — background updates with notification badges - **Expandable category browsing** for faster navigation --- ## RakuOS Welcome — Rewritten in Rust **RakuOS Welcome** has also been fully rewritten in Rust. It launches automatically after first login to help new users get started, discover features, and configure their system quickly. --- ## GNOME Edition The GNOME edition now ships with improved defaults for a more streamlined and polished experience: - **Dark Mode enabled by default** - **No Overview at startup** using `no-overview@fthx` - **Always-visible dock** using `dash-to-dock@micxgx.gmail.com` - **Blur effects enabled** using `blur-my-shell@aunetx` These changes provide a cleaner desktop experience right after first boot. --- ## Download Live ISOs for **GNOME**, **KDE Plasma**, and **COSMIC** are available now at [rakuos.org](https://rakuos.org/download). Existing installations will receive this update through the normal image update process, from RakuOS Software. --- ## What's Coming - **Fedora 44** the rebase to Fedora 44 is landing in staging soon and hopefully we get it push out to stable not long after upstream release. - **Nix package support** in the software center (will be laying the ground work soon) - **Community image template** — A template repository for community members to build and maintain their own RakuOS Linux spins --- *RakuOS Linux is built on Fedora, uses bootc for atomic image updates, and is available as open-source software. Found a bug? Report it at [rakuos.org/forum](https://rakuos.org/forum) or our matrix community server.* https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/3-23-26-isos-released https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/3-23-26-isos-released Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:14:17 +0000 # RakuOS March 23rd 2026 Release We are excited to announce the March 23rd 2026 release of RakuOS! This is one of our biggest releases to date and marks a major evolution of the project. New ISOs are available now for KDE and GNOME environments, with both standard and NVIDIA variants for each. --- ## What's New ### Terra Repository Integration RakuOS now ships with the [Terra repository](https://terra.fyralabs.com) from fyraLabs, bringing over 2,000 additional packages that were previously unavailable in Fedora or RPM Fusion. This includes: - **Mesa 26** — Bazzite's optimized Mesa build with gaming-focused patches, giving AMD and Intel GPU users the latest drivers and Vulkan improvements out of the box - **NVIDIA 590** — The latest NVIDIA driver stack, replacing the older RPM Fusion build, with full DKMS module compilation baked into the image - **Controller support** — Full out-of-the-box support for Xbox (USB, Bluetooth, and dongle), PlayStation, and other game controllers via Terra's driver stack - **Helium Browser**, **Feishin**, and many more applications now available in the software center ### Mesa 32-bit Parity Both 64-bit and 32-bit Mesa libraries are now pinned to the same Terra build and managed at the image layer. This prevents version drift between the two that could cause Steam and Proton crashes, giving gamers a more stable experience. ### Overlay System Improvements The RakuOS overlay system (which allows native RPM packages to be layered on top of the immutable base image) received several reliability improvements: - **First boot seeding** — On a fresh install the overlay is now automatically seeded from the default packages list, guaranteeing the overlay sync runs during initial setup even if the image build seed process falls through - **packages.toml permissions fix** — Resolved a crash in `rakuos-overlay-sync` where DNF5 failed to read the system state file due to incorrect permissions - **Automatic version stamping** — Groundwork laid for automatic overlay rebuilds when the base Fedora version changes (e.g. F43 → F44) ### Software Center Updates The RakuOS Software Center received significant improvements in this release: - **Terra AppStream data** — Apps from all five Terra repositories now appear in the software center with proper names, descriptions, icons, and categories - **Language fix** — Resolved a longstanding bug where some app names displayed in incorrect languages (e.g. Shavian alphabet for English users). All app names and descriptions now display correctly for your system locale - **Locale detection** — Fixed detection when `LANG=C.UTF-8` is set with a regional `LC_TIME` or other `LC_*` variable in locale.conf - **Updates page** — Improved reliability; the page no longer goes blank when navigating away and back. Package updates now show the current version alongside the new version (`0.14.0 → 0.15.0`) - **Category improvements** — Science added as a new top-level category. Category trees in both KDE and GNOME editions now reflect real AppStream data counts - **Addon filtering** — Addons and non-GUI packages are now correctly excluded from browse listings and search results ### ISO Size Reduction By removing pre-baked Flatpaks from the ISO (they are now handled by the overlay system on first boot instead), ISO sizes have been reduced by approximately 2 GB, making downloads significantly faster. ### GNOME Edition - `appindicatorsupport@rgcjonas.gmail.com` is now enabled by default, bringing system tray support out of the box --- ## Download ISOs are available on [SourceForge](https://sourceforge.net/projects/rakuos/). | Edition | Standard | NVIDIA | |---------|----------|--------| | KDE Plasma | ✓ | ✓ | | GNOME | ✓ | ✓ | --- ## What's Coming - **RakuOS Initial Setup** — A unified first-boot setup application covering all three desktop environments for user creation, locale, timezone, and keyboard layout configuration. Targeting the Fedora 44 rebase. - **Fedora 44 rebase** — Fedora 44 releases next month and RakuOS will rebase shortly after - **HDMI 2.1 support** — Investigating inclusion of the out-of-tree amdgpu HDMI 2.1 patch for AMD GPU users - **Nix package support** in the software center - **Community image template** — A template repository for community members to build and maintain their own RakuOS spins --- ## Also Notable RakuOS was listed on **DistroWatch** today! You can find us at [distrowatch.com/rakuos](https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=rakuos). --- Thank you to everyone who has recently downloaded and is testing/trying the distro out since our DistroWatch listing. Feedback and contributions are always welcome! https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/3-3-26-release https://rakuos.org/forum/topic/3-3-26-release Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:30:29 +0000 RakuOS Linux KDE & GNOME (Base + NVIDIA) ISOs have been refreshed. Includes latest fixes, and system improvements.