 | |
| Developer | SGS, Shrinivas Vishnu Kumbhar (Librewish), tbg, dr460nf1r3 (Nico), Yorper, Naman Garg, Filo, TNE, Πέτρος (Petsam), Dalto, Zoeruda, Eduard Tolosa, Ankur Kumar |
|---|---|
| Written in | C, C++, Python, D, Java |
| OS family | Arch Linux (Unix-like) |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Open-source |
| Initial release | 26 March 2020 |
| Latest release | Rolling release / 29 October 2023 |
| Repository | gitlab |
| Available in | Over 50 languages |
| Package manager | Pacman |
| Kernel type | Linux Zen, based on the Linux Kernel |
| Default user interface | KDE (Dr460nized Theme) |
| License | GPLv3 |
| Official website | garudalinux |
Garuda Linux is a x86-64 general-purpose Linux distribution, based on Arch Linux[1] operating system. It is available in a wide range of popular Linux desktop environments, including modified versions of the KDE Plasma 5 desktop environment. The term Garuda, originating from Hinduism and Buddhism, is defined as a divine eagle-like sun bird and the king of birds.
Garuda, like Arch, features a rolling release update model using the Pacman as its package manager.
Garuda Linux uses a rolling release model, meaning that there are no "major releases" of completely new versions of the system; regular system updates are all that is needed to obtain the latest software from the Arch Linux repository. Installation images are released every month, by the Garuda Developer team, that are simply up-to-date snapshots of the main system components, similar to the Arch Linux operating system.
Garuda Linux was released on the 26th of March, 2020. Developed and maintained by developers around the world. It was founded by Shrinivas Vishnu Kumbhar, a university student from India and SGS from Germany.[2]
Garuda Linux installation process is done with Calamares, a graphical installer.[3][4] The rolling release model means that the user does not need to upgrade/reinstall the whole operating system to keep it up-to-date inline with the latest release. Garuda Linux uses systemd as its init software.[5] Package management is handled by Pacman via command line, and front-end UI package manager tools such as the pre-installed Pamac. It can be configured as either a stable system (default) or bleeding edge in line with Arch. Garuda Linux includes colorized UI which comes in various options, with the option to further customize the user preferences.
Garuda Linux provides many releases with various desktop environments and package defaults.[6] All have Arch Linux as their base and the Garuda Linux Team provide their own additional package builds via Chaotic-AUR which is part of all releases.
| Name | Features | Supported? |
|---|---|---|
| Garuda KDE Dragonized | A Mac-like desktop layout using the KDE Plasma desktop environment developed by the KDE Team.[7] | ✓ |
| Garuda KDE Dragonized Gaming | KDE Dragonized with additional packages preinstalled to provide an out-of-box experience for gaming. | ✓ |
| Garuda KDE Lite | A minimal release without extra packages. | × |
| Garuda KDE-Git | Uses Git versions of the latest packages. (Abandoned)[8] | × |
| Garuda GNOME | Uses GNOME, a modern desktop environment focused on ease-of-use developed by The GNOME Foundation.[9] | ✓ |
| Garuda Cinnamon | Uses Cinnamon desktop developed by Linux Mint.[10] | ✓ |
| Garuda Xfce | Uses the lightweight Xfce desktop environment,[11] focused on low system resources. | ✓ |
| Garuda Mate | Uses the MATE desktop environment,[12] a continuation of the GNOME 2 desktop environment. (Abandoned)[8] | × |
| Garuda LXQT-Kwin | Uses LXQt,[13] a lightweight desktop environment based on the Qt toolset (Abandoned)[8] | × |
| Garuda Wayfire | Uses Wayfire,[14] a lightweight desktop environment that is Wayland based. (Abandoned) [8] | × |
| Garuda Sway | Uses Sway,[15] a Wayland native desktop environment focusing on the use of key bindings for navigation. | ✓ |
| Garuda i3WM | Uses i3WM,[16] a lightweight window manager which ships with Garuda Linux's own configuration. | ✓ |
| Garuda Qtile | Uses, Qtile, a tiling window manager which is lightweight and extensible. | ✓ |
| Garuda Hyprland | Uses, Hyperland, A dynamic tiling Wayland compositor based on wlroots which ship's with Garuda Linux's own configuration. [8] | ✓ |
Garuda Downloader is a tool provided by the Garuda Linux team for Windows and Linux to download the latest official release of all editions.
Garuda Linux hardware requirements vary depending on the Desktop Environment used. Mainly the resource-intensive distros are Garuda Linux Dr460nized KDE and the Garuda Linux Dr460nized KDE Gaming distro.
Garuda Linux also requires a storage device that contains 4 GB of space for their standard versions. Gaming desktop environments require a storage device with 8 GB storage space available.
The official Garuda Linux website supplies ISO images that can be run using a bootable USB device with 4 GB/8 GB of storage space, depending on the ISO image chosen. After the user has their partitions and formats set up on their drive, they can insert the thumbdrive and boot into it from the BIOS. Calamares installer will begin its process and present the user with a GUI installer.[19][20][21]
Garuda Linux uses a rolling release update model in which new packages are supplied throughout the day. Software packages are updated using the Pacman package manager.
