Find answers to common questions about Basalt Linux below.
Basalt Linux is a general-purpose Linux distribution built on Debian 13. It features the Xfce desktop environment and is designed for beginners and everyday users who want a clean, ready-to-use experience.
Yes, Basalt Linux is completely free and open source. Build scripts and website are MIT licensed; included packages retain their respective licenses (GPL, LGPL, BSD, etc.). There are no paid versions or subscriptions.
Anyone looking for a simple, stable Linux experience — whether you are new to Linux, coming from Windows or macOS, or an experienced user who wants a system that works without unnecessary complexity.
Basalt focuses on being minimal by design — only essential tools and applications are included. The desktop comes pre-configured with the Orchis theme and Papirus icons for a modern look out of the box.
Download the ISO, write it to a USB drive (8 GB+), boot from it, and follow the Calamares installer instructions. See the Installation Guide for details.
Yes. During installation, Calamares offers an option to install alongside existing operating systems.
No, the ISO includes everything needed. An internet connection is recommended for updates after installation.
Yes. The ISO boots into a live desktop environment where you can explore Basalt before installing.
Yes. Secure Boot is supported via shim-signed. You can keep it enabled during installation.
Yes. The Xfce desktop is designed to run well on older machines.
Xfce — a desktop that is familiar and responsive on both old and new hardware.
Essential applications: a web browser, file manager, terminal emulator, text editor, and system tools. You can install additional software as needed.
Basalt uses APT (Debian's package manager). Use the command line or a graphical package manager to install from Debian 13 repositories.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeYes. .deb packages, AppImages, Flatpaks, and Snaps all work.
Join our Discord server for community support and discussions.
Check the issues page for known problems, or report new issues through our GitLab repository.
Basalt Linux is open source. Contribute by reporting bugs, improving documentation, or submitting code through our GitLab repository.