KDE Linux
A free Linux®-based operating system built by KDE
Help KDE build the next big thing!
KDE Linux is a free, user-focused operating system being built by KDE to include the best implementation of everything KDE has to offer, using the most advanced technologies. Learn more on the project’s wiki page.
Designed to be safe, maintainable, functional, and modern, KDE Linux will be the best choice for home use, enterprise workstations, public institutions, pre-installation on computers you can buy, and more.
…Eventually! We’re not there yet, and need your help to make this goal a reality.
How you can help
You can help participate in the KDE Linux project in many ways:
Help KDE Linux reach a wider audience, especially if you’re a tech journalist or other influencer. The more people know about KDE Linux, the more chance the project has of receiving the love it needs to succeed.
Daily-drive KDE Linux or put it on a secondary machine, especially if you’re a developer or adventurous power user. Follow the installation instructions to the letter; finding mistakes in the installation process and discrepancies in the documentation is also important.
Test less-common hardware, especially NVIDIA GPUs and using the experimental delta update feature on spinning hard disks. Other testing on less-common hardware is also appreciated.
Report bugs: issues with KDE Linux itself (initial system setup, device compatibility, integration between components, etc) go here: https://invent.kde.org/kde-linux/kde-linux/-/issues/. Issues in KDE software — especially the experience of using it in a Flatpak — go here: https://bugs.kde.org/
Help develop KDE Linux, especially if you have an interest in operating systems (particularly immutable ones). There’s lots to do. Chat with the devs here and submit merge requests here. If you’re working on a similar OS, tell us about your experience, and we can compare notes and work on solutions together. Shared knowledge improves all projects.
What’s in it for you
Remember when Linux was an undiscovered country and everything was new and fun? KDE Linux is that all over again: we’re creating the operating system of the future with the clout and resources of KDE behind it, and you can be part of it. Here, individual efforts make a difference on a global scale.
Things to be aware of
- KDE Linux is Alpha software. Do not install it on your non-technical uncle’s computer or across the accounting department at work. There are multiple known issues (make sure nothing in there is a deal-breaker for you). KDE Linux has only received limited testing so far, and there will be regressions and bad builds you’ll have to roll back. Data loss has never been experienced yet, but anything is possible. Deploy a robust backup system. Expect some adventures.
- Opportunities for customizing the base OS are extremely limited. As an “immutable base” operating system, KDE Linux deliberately limits system-level customization to preserve reliability. Don’t go starting and stopping Systemd services except to debug or fix reported bugs. Don’t try hacks to customize your Plymouth splash screen or SDDM theme.
- The experience of using an older NVIDIA GPU is rough. Manual setup is currently required for anything older than an NVIDIA GTX 1630 to even work at all, and they are essentially untested. There be dragons. You’ve been warned.
- Do not report bugs for yesterday’s version. That’s right: currently KDE Linux is being updated daily. If you think you found a bug… update the whole system first! If the bug is still there, go ahead and report it.
General Information
How is this free? What’s the catch?
No catch! KDE Linux is a volunteer-run project with financial support from KDE e.V. There are no ads, and it does not transmit or sell your personal information.
Who is KDE Linux for?
At the moment, only the Testing edition is available. The more these sentences describe you, the happier you’ll be using it:
- You’re a KDE fan
- You get excited about modern technology like Systemd, immutable OSs, containerized apps, and Btrfs
- You want to participate in KDE’s QA process and find issues early
- You’re a KDE Plasma developer
- You don’t have an NVIDIA GPU that’s over 6 years old
How do I install apps?
The Discover app is your gateway to the world of Linux apps. Open it and browse through what’s available, or search for something specific.
How do I update the system?
KDE Linux will notify you when updates are available. Just click the notification about updates to launch Discover and see what’s available. Click “Update All” when you’re ready to update.
Alternatively, you can update the system using updatectl update in a terminal window.
The next time you restart the system, the update will be instantly applied.
How can I roll back to an older version if there’s a problem after updating?
When you turn on the computer, a list of KDE Linux versions will be shown for a few seconds. While this list is visible, use the Down arrow key to select an older version, and then press Enter.
Where can I report issues and get help?
Since KDE Linux is pre-alpha, please report issues you encounter!
- Report issues in the KDE Linux operating system itself (i.e. OS design, integration, system services, etc.) on invent.kde.org, and ignore the scary red banner at the top of the page.
- Report issues in KDE Plasma or any KDE apps on bugs.kde.org.
- Get help with something that’s not necessarily a bug on discuss.kde.org, and tag your post with “kde-linux”.
Information for Nerds
Is this “The KDE OS”?
Yes! KDE Linux is the KDE community’s idea of a “reference implementation” OS with Plasma and KDE apps.
Though it’s designed to be suitable for general uses, KDE Linux may be less optimized and optimizable for specific uses compared to other operating systems. KDE Linux is not an attempt to discourage people from using them, but rather to raise the quality level for all KDE-centric operating systems.
What kind of base technology does KDE Linux use?
KDE Linux is an “immutable base OS” Linux distro created using Arch Linux packages, but it should not be considered an “Arch-based distro”; Arch is simply a means to an end, and KDE Linux doesn’t even ship with the pacman package manager.
KDE Linux leans on Systemd for a great deal of functionality. Updates are atomic and image-based, with the last 5 OS images cached on disk. Only the Wayland session is supported. Apps primarily come from Flatpak and Snap.
Learn more on the KDE Linux wiki page.
How can I install more specialized software not available in Discover?
As an “immutable base” operating system, KDE Linux does not include a traditional package manager that can modify the base OS. However, there are still multiple options for getting software not available in Discover:
- Distrobox and Toolbox come pre-installed, and can install traditional packages from the Linux distro of your choice into containers in your home directory.
- Homebrew can also be installed to provide traditional package management within your home directory.
- You can compile software yourself, either into your home directory or on top of the base system using
systemd-sysext. - AppImage apps downloaded from the internet work too.
Learn more on the KDE Linux wiki page.
What’s the deal with older NVIDIA GPUs?
NVIDIA GPUs using an architecture older than Turing (this means anything older than GTX 1630) require NVIDIA’s proprietary kernel modules. These modules cannot be loaded at runtime because the base OS is immutable, and pre-installing them appears to be in a legal gray area. To be safe, KDE Linux doesn’t include them.
Newer NVIDIA GPUs (Turing/GTX 1630 and newer) can use NVIDIA’s open kernel modules which are redistributable with the base OS in a legally clear manner, so KDE Linux pre-installs them. Necessary NVIDIA userspace drivers and utilities are also pre-installed, so these GPUs should work without drama.
Older NVIDIA GPUs should work with the less-performant Nouveau drivers, which are included. However support for this must be manually enabled right now, and is not recommended for non-experts. Follow the instructions here, and temper your expectations accordingly.
I’m a KDE developer. Why should I use KDE Linux, and how does KDE development work?
KDE Linux is an excellent development platform for KDE software. Advantages over other many distros include:
- Faster: Don’t need to build all dependencies, only the specific thing you’re working on. More speed, less electricity usage and heat generation.
- Safer: Compiling into a systemd extension overlaid on top of
/usror rolling back to one of the last 5 OS images cached on disk provide multiple easy methods to roll back broken changes. - Smaller: Over 45 GB of space savings compared to a dev setup where you build everything from source.
- More deterministic: Build KDE software exactly the way it’s built on KDE Linux or Flathub. No weird bugs from different development toolchains.
Learn more on the KDE Linux wiki page.
This is so cool; how can I get involved with development?
Help is always appreciated! You can talk with the KDE Linux developers on Matrix, and submit Issues or Merge Requests on invent.kde.org.