Artix Linux is a fast and simple rolling-release system with several available init systems (systemd-free) and desktops.

Table of Contents

Installation

There are several “flavors” of Artix, based on the preinstalled init system and desktop environment. There are three main options: “Base” (TTY installation, no desktop preinstalled), “Graphical” (graphical installer, desktop preinstalled) and “Community” (GTK and Qt desktops, made by individual Artix developers).

Inside “Base” and inside each desktop (Cinnamon, LXDE, LXQt, XFCE, Plasma, MATE) option, you can select which init system you want to use (dinit, OpenRC, runit, s6). Download your preferred ISO file from https://artixlinux.org/download.php. Mount it on a USB (using Etcher, dd, etc.) a boot from the drive. On the boot window, select your preferred keyboard layout, timezone and language and choose “From CD/DVD: artix.x86_64” to start Artix.

Artix Linux

I’ve installed Artix with XFCE and runit. Installation process was simple and easy to follow (Calamares installer).

Artix Linux

Design

The design depends on the desktop you’ve chosen. Artix installs desktop environment with some light customization.

Artix Linux

Artix Linux XFCE

Artix Linux LXQt

Artix Linux Plasma

Apps

Artix (“Basic” and “Graphical” options) comes with a rudimentary set of applications: file manager, multimedia player, terminal emulator, network manager, web browser, etc. (installed apps depend on the selected desktop). To install more apps, you can use Arch Linux CLI package manager (pacman).

Artix Linux

Artix Linux

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