CindraOS is a Debian-based Linux distribution designed to run directly from a USB drive or in a virtual machine. It provides a customised Xfce desktop and a collection of utilities for everyday computing and system administration.
Based on Debian 13, CindraOS uses the Debian software repositories and APT package management. Its desktop features a dark visual style with red accents, custom wallpaper, application icons and window decorations. Light and dark themes are available.
The distribution operates as a live environment without installing itself on the computer’s internal storage. Changes made during a session are not retained after shutdown, so personal files should be saved to separate storage.
CindraOS also provides its own command-line management utility, designed to simplify common system maintenance and diagnostic tasks.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Customised Xfce desktop environment with a distinctive red and graphite colour scheme.
- Cindra-Dark and Cindra-Light themes, custom application icons and wallpaper.
- Preinstalled desktop applications including Firefox ESR, a file manager, text editor and screenshot utility.
- NetworkManager for managing wired and wireless network connections.
- PipeWire audio system and desktop power management facilities.
- Custom terminal banner, shell prompt and command aliases.
- Dedicated cindra command-line utility for system information, diagnostics and maintenance.
- System health checks covering important operating system components.
- Commands for updating software, cleaning package caches and examining system logs.
- Network diagnostics covering interfaces, gateways, DNS configuration and connectivity.
- Theme switching and desktop configuration information through the command-line utility.
- Local diagnostic report generation with personal information masked.
- Support for legacy BIOS and UEFI booting.
| Working state: | Active |
| Desktop: | Xfce |
| Init Software: | systemd |
| Package Management: | APT |
| Release Model: | Fixed |
| Platforms: | x86_64 |
| Home Page: | danielwav1.github.io/CindraOS |
| Developer: | Daniel.cindra |
| This article is part of our Big List of Active Linux Distributions and Open Source Operating Systems. |
What's a Linux distribution ("distro")? |
| A distro provides the user with a desktop environment, preloaded applications, and ways to update and maintain the system. Each distro makes different choices, deciding which open source projects to install and provides custom written programs. They can have different philosophies. Some distros are intended for desktop computers, some for servers without a graphical interface, and others for special uses. Because Linux is an open source operating system, combinations of software vary between Linux distros. |
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