Ryoku is an Arch Linux-based distribution offering an opinionated Wayland desktop designed around a single reproducible system definition. The project includes its own installer, desktop environment, configuration, package repository and system-management tools rather than simply distributing a collection of configuration files.
The desktop combines either Hyprland or niri with a custom shell built using Quickshell. Ryoku develops its bar, launcher, overview, lock screen, capture interface and control centre as a coherent desktop experience. The interface can dynamically derive its colour scheme from the current wallpaper.
Ryoku can be installed from its own signed ISO or used to convert an existing Arch Linux installation. Fresh installations use Btrfs and configure system snapshots to provide rollback facilities.
Key Features
- Uses a custom Quickshell-based desktop shell.
- Includes Ryoku Hub, a graphical control centre for desktop settings.
- Provides its own launcher, overview, lock screen, bar and desktop widgets.
- Uses matugen for wallpaper-derived colour theming.
- Includes a guided installation interface.
- Provides a signed Ryoku package repository.
- Supports conversion of an existing Arch Linux installation into Ryoku.
- Uses Btrfs with system snapshots for fresh installations.
- The ryoku command can update the Ryoku desktop layer and create snapshots before and after updates.
- Provides rollback facilities for restoring an earlier system state.
- Includes GPU detection for AMD, Intel and NVIDIA hardware.
- Uses Limine as its bootloader.
- Supports UEFI systems.
- Offers optional integration with CachyOS packages and its optimized kernel.
This entry was written with the assistance of a visitor who completed the distro form.
| Working state: | Active |
| Desktop: | Hyprland, niri |
| Init Software: | systemd |
| Package Management: | Pacman |
| Release Model: | Rolling |
| Platforms: | x86_64 |
| Home Page: | ryoku.dev |
| Developer: | Ryoku Project |
| 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. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.