SageOS is a lean Debian-based Linux distribution designed for security work. It keeps the base system small and organises security utilities into mission packs that can be installed on demand.
Its sage-pkg utility provides a unified interface for installing and updating software from APT, GitHub releases and pip. SageOS uses OpenRC instead of systemd and is available in terminal-only and XFCE editions.
The source code is publicly available, but the project does not currently provide an explicit software licence. It should therefore be treated as all rights reserved rather than free and open source software.
Key Features
- Lean Debian Bookworm base system.
- Mission packs for installing related security tools on demand.
- Package management through a unified sage-pkg command-line interface.
- Installs software from APT, GitHub releases and pip.
- Updates installed tools and the sage-pkg utility without requiring a new ISO image.
- Versioned and browsable online package catalogue.
- OpenRC init system.
- Terminal-only and XFCE editions.
- Whiptail-based interface for managing security tools.
- Hybrid BIOS and UEFI boot support.
- Optional persistent storage for live sessions.
- Supports x86_64 systems.
| Working state: | Active |
| Desktop: | XFCE |
| Init Software: | OpenRC |
| Package Management: | Fixed |
| Release Model: | Fixed |
| Platforms: | x86_64 |
| Home Page: | SageOS |
| Developer: | zackmsa777-a11y |
| This article is part of our Big List of Active Linux Distributions. |
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. |