The Devuan developers have announced the release of Devuan GNU/Linux 6.0, a systemd-free derivative of Debian 13 'Trixie'. Codename Excalibur, this version uses the Linux 6.12 LTS kernel for enhanced hardware support. It introduces several updates while maintaining compatibility with Debian.
Devuan GNU/Linux 6.0, codenamed Excalibur, serves as a 100% derivative of the Debian GNU/Linux operating system, excluding the systemd init system and its related components. Based on the latest Debian 13 “Trixie” series, it is powered by the long-term supported Linux 6.12 LTS kernel, aimed at providing optimal hardware support for both existing users and new installations.
Key new features include the restoration of support for /run/utmp to register sessions, integration of the PipeWire media server, and adoption of a merged-/usr file system. Support for the i386 architecture has been reduced, with no i386 installer ISO provided. The distribution is available for download as installation, live, netboot, and Docker images from the official website, supporting architectures such as i386, amd64, armel, armhf, arm64, ppc64el, and riscv64.
The live ISO defaults to the Xfce 4.20 desktop environment. Users seeking other options, like KDE Plasma or Cinnamon, can opt for the “netinstall” ISO for online installation or the “desktop” ISO for offline setup. Existing users of Devuan 6.0 “Excalibur” can upgrade directly following developer instructions. It is also possible to transition from Debian Trixie to Devuan Excalibur.
This release, announced on November 3, 2025, underscores Devuan's commitment to offering a systemd-free alternative in the Linux ecosystem, appealing to users who prefer alternative init systems.
