Artix Linux

Artix Linux (or simply Artix /ɑːrtɪks/) is a rolling-release Linux distribution based on Arch Linux. Artix does not use systemd, instead opting to provide init and service management freedom. Artix offers OpenRC, runit, s6, and dinit^[5] in place of systemd.

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	20250310 / March 10, 2025; 2 months ago (2025-03-10) [note 1]
Latest preview	Weekly ISO's
Repository	gitea.artixlinux.org
Package manager	pacman
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.org

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 OpenRC^[6] and Manjaro OpenRC were started in 2012. In 2017,^[7][8] these projects were merged and Artix Linux was created.

Screenshot of Artix community-gtk edition 2020-02 showcasing the default dark theme

Screenshot of Artix community-gtk edition 2020-02 featuring a mix of GTK and Qt applications Kdenlive, the GIMP, LibreOffice Writer, Claws mail, Smb4K and a Neofetch dump

Release history

Artix initially offered two installation environments, a base command-line ISO image and the graphical Calamares installer based on LXQt desktop,^[9] with an i3 version following later.^[10] Those early versions featured the OpenRC^[11] init system. The latest installation media are also available in a variety of desktop environments like LXDE, LXQt, XFCE, MATE, Cinnamon and KDE Plasma.^[12] 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.^[13] All current installation media come in OpenRC, runit, s6, and dinit versions, with the exception of the community ISOs that offer OpenRC only.

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."^[14] More critical, another review at the time from linux-community.de concluded "the results so far are not exactly motivating."^[15] Much more favourable reviews were later featured in both sites.^[16][17] A review from Softpedia gave Artix a 5 out of 5 stars rating, noting its "beautiful and pleasant graphical environments."^[18] Distrowatch readers' reviews on Distrowatch are mostly very favourable, with an average rating of 9.3 out of 10.^[19]

Notes

1. 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.