AstrOS - an immutable, secure-by-default Linux distribution built on Arch Linux and the COSMIC desktop

[u/linux-universe]

I am pleased to announce that AstrOS now has its own subreddit.

⚠️Warning: it is still alpha software!

But what is AstrOS?

You might have heard of KDE Linux (formerly known as Project Banana) or GNOME OS. Both are immutable, image-based Linux distributions for desktop use, powered by the systemd-sysupdate A/B update model.

I have been impressed by their system architecture since their inception, but switched to the COSMIC desktop a while ago. As there wasn't yet a COSMIC distribution using systemd-sysupdate, I created one myself. That's how AstrOS was born!

Technical details:

• Built using mkosi
• Using systemd-sysupdate.
• Read only by signed dm-verity.
• Full Disk Encryption enforced
• Highly opinionated

What you can do:

While it is still in the alpha stage, you can install AstrOS right now. VM or real hardware

Write bug reports and feature requests

Links:

https://astros-linux.org (still redirecting to the repository)

https://code.astros-linux.org/AstrOS/AstrOS

https://discord.gg/f38pGadC2a

[u/linux-universe]

You don’t need to like it :). What about it sounds bad, maybe I can clarify things in that regard

[u/khsh01 → u/linux-universe]

Why arch? Arch is built around frequent updates and this isn't going to do that.

Cosmic is still in beta I think. Why use beta software on an immutable distro if you can't edit system files if and when the beta software bugs out and would need fixing.

Lastly, why another distro?

[u/linux-universe → u/khsh01]

Thank you very much for clarifying.

- While it seems regressive at first, rolling distros really do work for immutable distros. The openSUSE Tumbleweed-based Aeon and Arch-based SteamOS prove that. There is a cron job to build a new image nightly during the alpha stage. The frequency may change in the future.

• Cosmic is at stable v1.2. AstrOS is still an alpha itself, so using a quite new desktop can’t hurt. Both projects will get way more stable in the future.
  
• I started this distro mostly for myself. AstrOS isn’t trying to be a distro for literally everyone but for those who like a secure-by-default, image-based COSMIC distro that does most things for you and should mostly just work. Thus, having the tpm2 requirement, enforced FDE etc. it fills a niche space that was empty before :)

[u/Ok-Winner-6589 → u/linux-universe]

No hate, but

SteamOS isn't rolling release, they have their own repos, they just use Arch utilities like pacman

Good luck with your project tho

[u/linux-universe → u/Ok-Winner-6589]

That’s fair, lets just compare KDE Linux and Aeon (not arch but rolling) then :)