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Choosing Your TunaOS Variant

TunaOS publishes multiple operating system variants across several Linux base distributions and desktop environments. All variants are built on container-native bootc technology, giving you atomic image-based updates, Flathub app delivery out of the box, and integrated Homebrew tooling.

This decision guide helps you pick the right variant for your hardware, stability needs, and desktop preference.

🎯 Quick Decision Paths​

If you are not sure where to start, follow these recommended paths:

  • Workstation / Daily Driver (Maximum Stability): Choose Albacore (AlmaLinux 10). It provides a 10-year enterprise support lifecycle, rock-solid stability, and optional -nvidia or -hwe (Hardware Enablement) kernel editions.
  • Developer / Fresh Packages on Enterprise Base: Choose Yellowfin (AlmaLinux Kitten 10). It tracks newer packages and kernels ahead of stable Enterprise Linux and keeps enterprise compatibility.
  • Upstream RHEL Preview: Choose Skipjack (CentOS Stream 10). It tracks the upstream CentOS Stream so you can test and preview future releases of Enterprise Linux.
  • Newest Fedora: Choose Bonito (Fedora 44). For users who want the latest mainline kernel, Mesa drivers, and desktop toolchains on an immutable base.
  • elementary OS Desktop: Choose Gurnard (Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with Pantheon). It gives you the elementary OS desktop on an LTS base.
  • Arch Linux: Choose Marlin (Arch Linux). Newest packages on a composefs-native bootc base with continuous updates.
  • Apple Silicon (ARM64): Choose Asahi images available across supported multi-arch bases (Albacore, Yellowfin, Bonito, Gurnard).

Not sure? Start with Albacore — the flagship variant designed as a rock-solid daily driver for most users.

📊 Variant Comparison Matrix​

The table below summarizes the key attributes for each TunaOS variant:

VariantBase DistributionStability / CadenceTarget Audience & Best ForArchitectures
AlbacoreAlmaLinux 10Enterprise (10-yr lifecycle)Flagship daily driver, enterprise workstationsamd64, amd64-v2, arm64
YellowfinAlmaLinux Kitten 10Fresh + EnterpriseDevelopers, lead developer's daily driveramd64, amd64-v2, arm64
SkipjackCentOS Stream 10Rolling previewUpstream RHEL testing and contributionamd64, arm64
RedfinRHEL 10Enterprise (Local-build)Secure enterprise workspaces (requires local build)amd64, arm64
BonitoFedora 44Bleeding edgeLatest mainline kernel, Mesa, and toolchainsamd64, arm64
Bonito RawhideFedora RawhideRawhide developmentFedora upstream development and testingamd64, arm64
HummingbirdFedora HummingbirdExperimentalHardened container-native base testingamd64, arm64
GrouperUbuntu 26.04ExperimentalUbuntu bootc proving ground on composefsamd64
GurnardUbuntu 24.04 LTSStable LTSelementary OS Pantheon desktop experienceamd64, arm64
MarlinArch LinuxRolling releaseAbsolute newest packages on Arch rollingamd64
FlounderDebian 13 TrixieDebian stableStable Debian base with containerized deliveryamd64
Flounder SidDebian SidDebian unstableRolling Debian development baseamd64
SailfinopenSUSE TumbleweedopenSUSE rollingTransactional openSUSE rolling package baseamd64
GuppyGentoo LinuxGentoo stableSource-based Gentoo compiled on bootc layersamd64

🖥️ Choosing Your Desktop Environment​

Each variant offers desktop flavors tailored to different workflows:

  • GNOME: Polished default desktop with modern backports across enterprise bases.
  • KDE Plasma: Feature-rich, endlessly customizable desktop for power users.
  • COSMIC: Next-generation Rust-built desktop from System76.
  • Niri: Keyboard-driven, scrollable-tiling Wayland compositor.
  • XFCE: A lightweight classic desktop that runs on Wayland via the new xfwl4 compositor.
  • Pantheon: elementary OS's minimal, simple desktop (featured on Gurnard).

📥 Ready to Install?​