Draft:List of atomic Linux distributions
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This is a list of notable atomic Linux distributions. To qualify for inclusion in this list, the distribution must fulfill the requirements to be classified as a Linux distribution, and it must be atomic. An atomic Linux distribution is a distribution that can't be changed or updated incompletely, or usually, into a broken state.[1][2] This is usually achieved via the use of images, or by changing files at runtime after ensuring that the changes will result in a valid system.
As in this case atomicity is something of a spectrum, the description of every distribution describes the ways in which the distribution is achieved.
| Distribution | Description |
|---|---|
| NixOS | A general-purpose declarative distribution built on top of the Nix package manager. With the exception of kernel upgrades, updates are delivered on-the-fly as updates to the system store of packages and rollbacks are possible via a system generations system. |
| Bazzite | A gaming-focused distribution. Built on top of Fedora, it uses the same technology as Fedora atomic desktops, but adds a layer of customization on top. As a stable release OS, updates are delivered via images, and using OSTree. |
| Talos Linux | A distribution purpose-built for Kubernetes. All updates are delivered as a complete replacement image, and applied on reboot. |
| GNU Guix System | A fully FOSS general-purpose declarative distribution built on top of the GNU Guix package manager. |
| Fedora Atomic desktops | A family of general-purpose immutable desktop editions of Fedora Linux that use OSTree |
| EndlessOS | An education-first distribution that uses an immutable root file system that is only modifiable by OSTree and Flatpak.[3] |
| GNOME OS | A debian-based general-purpose distribution that was one of the first major ones to adopt OSTree.[4] |
| Kairos | An immutable "meta-distribution" for Kubernetes, cloud, and edge. It's a part of CNCF at Sandbox maturity level.[5] All updates happen via images and happen on reboot.[6] |
| Bottlerocket | A distribution for hosting containerized applications. All updates happen via images and happen on reboot.[7] |
References
[edit]- ↑ bio, See full (2026-02-13). "Atomic vs. immutable Linux: Why choose one when these nine distros offer both? - ZDNET". Retrieved 2026-10-02.
- ↑ "Fedora Atomic Desktops User Guide". Fedora Docs. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
- ↑ "DistroWatch.com: Endless OS". distrowatch.com. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
- ↑ "News from the GNOME OSTree project | GUADEC 2013 - video recordings and slides". www.superlectures.com. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
- ↑ "Kairos". CNCF. 2026-10-02. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
- ↑ "Kairos - The Cloud Native OS to Operate at Scale | Kairos". kairos.io. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
- ↑ "Updates". Bottlerocket. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
Category:Linux distributions Category:Lists of operating systems