Artix Linux
Linux distribution
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
| |
 | |
| Developer | Core team,[1] Developer team,[2] Support staff[3] |
| Written in | C |
| OS family | Linux (Unix-like) |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Open-source |
| Latest release | 20250407 / October 21, 2025 [note 1] |
| Latest preview | Weekly ISO's |
| Repository | gitea |
| Package manager | pacman |
| Supported platforms | AMD64 and ARM64[4] |
| Kernel type | Monolithic (Linux) |
| Userland | GNU |
| Default user interface | Unix shell, LXQt, LXDE, MATE, Cinnamon, Plasma, XFCE |
| Official website | artixlinux |
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
- 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.