Garuda Linux is a rolling-release distribution based on Arch Linux, tuned for performance and gaming. It wraps the Arch base in an opinionated, user-friendly layer: a graphical Calamares installer, automatic BTRFS snapshots, and a collection of GUI tools handle the maintenance that Arch traditionally leaves to the terminal. The flagship edition ships the Dr460nized (“dragonized”) KDE Plasma desktop, with a choice of many other editions.

Key Features

• BTRFS with automatic snapshots — snapshots are configured from installation, so you can roll back a bad update from the boot menu
• Garuda Gamer — a GUI for installing gaming packages such as Steam, Wine, Proton, and GameMode
• Garuda Assistant and Settings Manager — graphical tools for admin tasks, kernel selection and system configuration
• Garuda Update — automated mirror refresh, keyring updates and sanity checks that tame the rolling-release update process
• Multiple editions — KDE Plasma (default), GNOME, Xfce, Cinnamon, Wayfire, Hyprland, i3, Sway and more
• Pre-configured repos — access to Arch repositories, Chaotic-AUR and User Repositories through a graphical front end
• Rolling release — continuous updates with pacman, no major version upgrades

Why Use Garuda Linux?

Garuda gives you the cutting-edge Arch ecosystem with the safety nets most newcomers need: automatic snapshots, an easy installer, and GUIs for the fiddly parts. It is one of the most turnkey ways to get a gaming and performance-focused rolling Linux desktop without living in the terminal.

Use Cases

• Gaming desktops wanting the latest drivers, Mesa and Proton tooling out of the box
• Users who want Arch’s rolling-release freshness with automatic rollback safety
• Anyone who prefers a graphical, opinionated experience over managing Arch by hand

Platform

Linux · x86-64

Licence

Free and open source. The distribution and its bundled software are released under the GPL and other OSI-approved licences.

Website

garudalinux.org