Zainium OS – independent immutable Linux distribution

Zainium OS is an independent Linux distribution designed around an immutable operating system base. Unlike conventional distributions, it uses a layered filesystem architecture that separates the operating system from installed applications and boot components. The aim is to prevent software changes and failed upgrades from compromising the core system.

The distribution uses the COSMIC desktop environment and systemd init system. Its filesystem layout follows the Dualayer Hierarchy Standard, with the operating system stored beneath /overlayer rather than the conventional Linux root directories. Zainium OS uses musl as its primary C library while accommodating applications that depend on glibc.

Zainium OS follows a rolling-release model and uses its own zex package manager. The distribution is intended for general desktop use as well as environments where system integrity, recoverability and controlled upgrades are particularly important.

Key Features

• Immutable base system, known as syshub, protected from modification by installed applications.
• Layered filesystem architecture using OverlayFS to combine the system base and userland.
• Atomic system upgrades that are verified, staged and applied during the next boot.
• Rollback functionality for reverting system upgrades, with journalled operations to assist recovery.
• Support for musl and glibc applications operating alongside each other without library conflicts.
• sys_resolver compatibility mechanism for applications expecting conventional Linux filesystem paths.
• elevate privilege management tool that restricts destructive operations against protected system files.
• Security mechanisms including fs-verity, AppArmor, Landlock, Yama, kernel lockdown and signed kernel modules.
• Ability to boot the protected base independently of the userland overlay for recovery purposes.