A curated list of awesome projects
A curated list of awesome projects that I both learnt and drew inspiration from whilst working on glaucus:
Aalbus: A Linux distribution using musl libc, the LLVM tool chain and a mostly (Net)BSD-derived userland
Aboriginal Linux: A shell script that builds the smallest/simplest linux system capable of rebuilding itself from source code
Abyss OS: A modern take on the “just enough OS” paradigm, with a focus on modern components (LLVM, musl) and flexibility
Adelie Linux: A Free, Libre operating environment based on the Linux kernel
agunix: Silver Unix is a POSIX userspace focused on cutting the fat out of the typical modern Unix userland
Alfheim Linux: A systemd free, Arch Linux based operating system customized to help you get the most out of your machine
Alpaquita Linux: A full-featured, fast and secure Linux operating system optimized for Java, with performance features including the BellSoft optimized musl version
Alpine Linux: A security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution based on musl libc and busybox
Alpine-S6: Alpine Linux Base + S6 Init System
Alter Linux: ArchLinux based distro
android-toolchain-build: The new Android GNU toolchain
apathy: A 64 bit libre linux distribution built from scratch using apathy-mlfs for its base; utilizing musl libc, libressl, partially busybox and sysvinit with a home-brewed init structure written in posix shell
apathy-mlfs: A libre linux from scratch book utilizing musl libc, libressl, sysvinit and partially busybox
Arachsys Linux: An opinionated 'from scratch' Linux distribution based on musl libc
Arch Linux: A simple, lightweight distribution
ARM Cross Linux From Scratch (arm-clfs): This repo, notes and instructions are designed to build linux from scratch in a cross compiled manner, in support of creating a stage1 tarball for Habitat Studio, for use with arm processors
Artix Linux: A rolling-release distribution, based on Arch Linux that uses OpenRC, runit or s6 as init because PID1 must be simple, secure and stable
Ataraxia Linux: An independent, multi-platform, general purpose operating system, based on the Linux kernel, musl libc and busybox
Automated Linux From Scratch (ALFS): A project that creates the generic framework for an extendable system builder and package installer
Bare Linux: Barely a Linux
Baserock Linux: A great way to build custom appliance systems with Linux
Bedrock Linux: A meta Linux distribution which allows users to utilize features from other, typically mutually exclusive distributions
Beyond Linux From Scratch (BLFS): A project that continues where the LFS book finishes
Beyond Musl Linux From Scratch (BMLFS): Build Recipes for MLFS [Musl Linux From Scratch]
bleeding-edge-toolchain: All-in-one script to build bleeding-edge-toolchain for ARM microcontrollers
Bluedragon: A security-enhanced, fully featured XFCE4 desktop, amd64 Gentoo system, built with musl as its C standard library
bonsai: A tiny Linux distribution focused on simplicity and security
bootstrap-linux: A complete, self-bootstrapping musl-based Linux system
build-linux: A short tutorial about building Linux based operating systems
Buildroot: A simple, efficient and easy-to-use tool to generate embedded Linux systems through cross-compilation
Build Your Own Linux: Walks users through building a basic Linux distribution
Businesscard Linux: A Buildroot distribution small enough to run on a business card
Carbs Linux: An in-development Linux® distribution with a suckless mindset
Cavium: Cavium Open-Source Distributions
Chimera Linux: A Linux distribution based on FreeBSD userland and LLVM
Clear Linux OS: An open source, rolling release Linux distribution optimized for performance and security, from the Cloud to the Edge, designed for customization, and manageability
clfs-arm: A project that provides you with step-by-step instructions for building your own customized Linux system entirely from source on the ARM architecture
CloverOS: Performance optimized default Gentoo install
CMLFS: Clang-Built Musl Linux From Scratch
Community Driven BLFS (CBLFS): An open project that takes over after you have completed a Cross-LFS based build
Copacabana Linux: An independent Linux® distribution based on musl and Heirloom NG
CROSS-BUILDING LINUX: The Little Blue Linux build process
Cross-Compiled Linux From Scratch (CLFS): A project that provides you with step-by-step instructions for building your own customized Linux system entirely from source
Crosstool-NG: A versatile (cross) toolchain generator
crosware: Tools, things, stuff, miscellaneous, detritus, junk, etc., primarily for Chrome OS / Chromium OS
Crux Linux: A lightweight Linux distribution for the x86-64 architecture targeted at experienced Linux users
Cucumber Linux: An independent distribution that is usable as an every day, general purpose operating system and aims to do this in as minimalistic a way as possible and in a way that follows the Unix Philosophy
dahliaOS: A modern, secure, lightweight and responsive operating system, combining the best of GNU/Linux and Fuchsia OS
Debian From Scratch: An instruction manual for teaching Linux From Scratch users how to make a fully-fledged Debian system based on LFS
distri: A Linux distribution to research fast package management
Diverse Linux: A spin of Exherbo Linux that provides a set of opinionated defaults, lightweight and/or performant alternatives, binary packages and pre-installed utilities
Docker Linux From Scratch (DLFS): Docker configuration for building Linux From Scratch system
Dragora GNU/Linux-Libre: An independent GNU/Linux-Libre distribution based on concepts of simplicity
EasyOS: An experimental Linux distribution
Eclectic Linux: A new mixed distribution based on Exherbo Linux
EERIE Linux: An experimental distribution which is built with an alternative C Library called musl, and also comes with the package manager pacman and generally tries to be very close to Arch Linux
ELLCC: A project using clang and the LLVM compiler infrastructure
Eltanin: A project aiming to produce a free, simple and complete general purpose operating system
Embedded Linux Wiki: The purpose of this wiki is to preserve and present information about the development and use of Linux in embedded systems as well as open source projects and tools for general embedded development
eweOS: A musl-based, lightweight, general-purpose Linux distribution, which adopts musl libc and busybox to the latest versions of software with a rolling-release model
Funtoo Linux: A community-developed Linux meta-distribution based upon Gentoo Linux
Gary OS: An entire GNU/Linux system in a single bootable file
Gentoo Linux: A highly flexible, source-based Linux distribution
GentooLTO: A Gentoo Portage configuration for building with -O3, Graphite, and LTO optimizations
Glasnost Linux: A Linux® distribution using the Clang/LLVM toolchain and musl libc
glaucus: A simple and lightweight Linux® distribution based on musl libc and toybox
Glendix: An attempt at porting ideas from the Plan 9 operating system to Linux
gnuinos: a libre spin of Devuan GNU/Linux (a fork of Debian without systemd), allowing users to get control over their computer and ensuring Init Freedom
gnuxc: GNU OS Cross-Compiler
GoboLinux: An alternative Linux distribution which redefines the entire filesystem hierarchy
Hanh Linux: An independent, source-based Linux distribution that is fast, lightweight, simple and flexible
Heads: A minimal Linux that runs as a coreboot or LinuxBoot ROM payload to provide a secure, flexible boot environment for laptops and servers
iglunix: A Linux (and other kernels) distro with no GNU components
KISS: An independent Linux distribution with a focus on simplicity and the concept of "less is more"
Kreato Linux: An independent Linux(R) distribution focused on modularity, simplicity and code readability, inspired from projects such as KISS Linux and Gentoo
KSLinux: A Linux Distribution Based on GNU/Linux
LangitKetujuh: A GNU/Linux distribution with glibc and musl libc based on VoidLinux, using runit init, KDE desktop environment, stable rolling release and efficient resource usage
LFS-s6: s6 scripts for LFS and BLFS
lh-bootstrap: A set of scripts that build a disk image for a virtual machine such as QEMU
Libertine Linux: A secure, built-from git-controlled source Linux system that is fully auditable and runs solely from RAM
lightcube-bootstrap-musl: Scripts to bootstrap a build environment for LightCube OS using musl libc
LiGurOS: A source based distribution based on a broad family of Gentoo-based distributions
Lilala Linux: Minimal linux for single board computer
Linaro: Together with Arm, Linaro co-maintains the Arm software ecosystem, providing the tools, security and Linux kernel quality needed for a solid base to differentiate on
Linux From Scratch (LFS): A project that provides you with step-by-step instructions for building your own custom Linux system, entirely from source code
Linux From Scratch Made (more) Easy (LFS-ME): A simple, fakeroot based, package manager for LFS heavily inspired by Archlinux' package management
make-rootfs: Set of make recipes to bootstrap static musl / llvm based filesystem image
managarm: A pragmatic microkernel-based OS with fully asynchronous I/O
Mere Linux: A lightweight, server-centric Linux distribution using musl libc, pacman and s6
MesaLock Linux: A memory-safe Linux distribution where the whole user space applications are rewritten in memory-safe programming languages like Rust and Go
Metta OS: A multimedia, mobile, social OS
Minimal Linux Live (MLL): A tiny educational Linux distribution, which is designed to be built from scratch by using a collection of automated shell scripts
mkroot: Simple Linux build, bootable under qemu for multiple architectures
MocaccinoOS: A minimal Musl-based Linux From Scratch meta-distribution for the 21st century
Moebius: Minimal Linux distribution for your Raspberry PI
Monolinux: An embedded Linux distro with a single statically linked executable
Morpheus Linux: A suckless linux distro
MUE Linux: An attempt at a minimalistic linux system with strong ideals
musl-cross: A small suite of scripts and patches for building musl libc cross compilers
musl-cross-make: Simple makefile-based build for musl cross compiler
Musl-LFS-s6-Bootscripts: Bootscripts to boot a MLFS/LFS system with s6 and s6-rc
Musl Linux From Scrath (MLFS): Linux From Scratch using Musl as Libc
muslpi: CLFS (Cross Linux From Scratch) build system for raspberry pi using the musl libc
mussel: The shortest and fastest script available today to build working cross compilers that target musl libc
mutiny: BSD-inspired Linux system and research project aiming to be a testbed for interesting system design, forward thinking design choices, minimalism, and fun computing
myLinux: A small UNIX like OS for embedded systems
natick: A research Linux Distribution based on the latest Linux Kernel, the BusyBox userland, and the musl C library
nenuzhnix: The most useless linux distro
NetBSD: A free, fast, secure, and highly portable Unix-like Open Source operating system
NOIR: An independent Linux® distribution with a focus on performance and practical functionality
noname linux: musl based, x86_64 only, lightweight, personal distro
Non-GNU toolchain: Build a toolchain that can build Linux kernel, a minimal userspace (e.g. nenuzhnix) and ultimately itself without using any GNU software
Obarun Linux: Arch Linux based system without systemd
obarun-s6rcserv: s6-rc services
obarun-s6serv: s6 services
OpenBSD: A FREE, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system
OpenEmbedded: The build framework for embedded Linux that offers a best-in-class cross-compile environment and allows developers to create a complete Linux Distribution for embedded systems
OpenMandriva: A full-featured Linux desktop and server, sponsored by the OpenMandriva Association
OpenWrt: A Linux operating system targeting embedded devices
Optimux: Optimized Musl Linux From Scratch
OS/1337: A minimalist yet useable, CLI-Oriented Toybox/Linux + musl Distribution
OSDev: This website provides information about the creation of operating systems and serves as a community for those people interested in OS creation
Owl: A small security-enhanced Linux distribution for servers, appliances, and virtual appliances
Panda Linux: An open-source and free operating system based on Debian/Ubuntu and built entirely by compiling source-code, using custom optimizations
Physix: An experimental, automated Build-From-Source Linux distribution; originally inspired by Linux From Scratch
PiLFS: Linux From Scratch on the Raspberry Pi
Prelinux: A set of scripts to build a minimal initrd and filesystem
pts-tcc: Tiny, self-contained C compiler using TCC + uClibc
qLinux: A distribution study, that uses mussel to build a cross-compiled musl based Linux distribution
Raptix: An open-source operating system that uses mussel to build a system running a Linux kernel with a custom filesystem hierarchy
rc: s6/s6-rc service management database
rlsd2: A minimalistic GNU/Linux-libre distro
rv8.io: RISC-V simulator for x86-64
s6-boot: Boot files for s6
s6-overlay: s6 overlay for containers (includes execline, s6-linux-utils & a custom init)
Sabotage Linux: An experimental linux distribution based on musl libc and busybox
Serpent OS: A Truly Modern Linux* Distribution, Heavily Under Construction
Sigma Linux: An Σlite operating system
solyste: [s]illy, [o]dd and [l]ightweight [y]pnose's [st]atic [e]nvironment
Spark: An Arch Linux meta-distro with some core components swapped out
Spider Linux: A work-in-progress, modern, independent, free and open-source Linux distribution
SSD/Linux: The SSD Linux operating system, which straps NetBSD userland functions onto the Linux kernel
StarLinux: A Linux Distribution (rewritten from MLL) which can be build directly on the Host Machine
static linux (stali): A static linux distribution based on the original pre-2010 plans of the suckless.org project, however since 2018 it became independent from suckless.org and is maintained by Anselm solely
StelaLinux: A lightweight, simple, and fast glibc/busybox/linux Distribution
superBoxon: A GNU/Linux distribution based on the Slackware 64 current with a simple and human friendly BSD like init system
swerve: A suckless-inspired Unix-like monolithic kernel for i386
T2: A flexible Open Source System Development Environment or Distribution Build Kit (others might even name it Meta Distribution)
TeoraLinux: An experimental Linux Distribution with Musl, BusyBox, and Java
tldrlfs: Too Long; Didn't Read Linux From Scratch
tomsrtbt: The most GNU/Linux on 1 floppy disk
trinity: Toy linux distro based on morpheus
UmVirt LFS (ULFS):Source code based transparent & autonomous GNU/Linux infrastructure
Vanilla: A new radically different, simple, modern Linux distribution based on a complete LLVM toolchain, musl and busybox
Venom Linux: A source based linux distribution originally built on top of LFS (Linux From Scratch) guide then independently grows make it usable for daily use
Vine Linux: A compact and lightweight Japanese Linux distribution developed by Project Vine and many collaborators
Void Linux: A general purpose operating system, based on the monolithic Linux® kernel
Warm Linux: A lightweight Linux distribution designed for container-like environments
Wombat Linux: A lightweight Linux distribution that relies on musl-libc over glibc and replaces the usual GNU Coreutils with Suckless Base
Wyverkiss: An alternative rootfs for KISS Linux that doesn't use GNU
Wyvertux: A(n almost) GNU-free Linux distribution
Yamlld: A busybox based musl libc Linux distro based on Yosild with many improvments to it
Yeti OS: A custom bit-sized linux distro for the RPi zero, cross-compiled from scratch
Yocto Project: An open source collaboration project that helps developers create custom Linux-based systems regardless of the hardware architecture
Yosild: A single shell script that builds a full, minimal Linux distribution, based on BusyBox
Zandra: An independent musl-based Linux distribution based on the principles of simplicity and efficiency
ZYDUX: Toolbox to build the cross compiler and minimal GNU Linux from scratch named ZYDUX