Complete Guide to Migrating from systemd to Dinit in KaOS 2026.06 RC

KaOS is an independent Linux distribution that has recently taken a significant step in moving away from systemd, the traditionally used initialization system. The new version, Dinit 2026.06 RC ISO, represents a substantial advancement in this transition, adopting Dinit, Turnstile, and seatd for system boot management.

This transition is motivated by several technical and philosophical reasons. KaOS has cited the growing maintenance challenges due to systemd's upstream changes, particularly regarding split /usr layouts. Additionally, the increased dependence of KDE Plasma on systemd components has made this choice less compatible with KaOS's objectives.

As a result, KaOS has removed Plasma from its default ISO, replacing it with a desktop environment based on Niri and Noctalia, which use Wayland. Plasma 6 remains available in the repositories but is no longer the default option.

This guide is useful for technical users who want to test and use the new version of KaOS, understanding the changes made and the new features introduced. It is particularly relevant for those interested in Linux distributions that deviate from systemd and for those who want to explore alternatives like Dinit, Turnstile, and seatd.

Prerequisites

To install and use KaOS Dinit 2026.06 RC, ensure you have the following hardware and software requirements:

• Hardware:
  • A computer compatible with UEFI or BIOS.
  • At least 4 GB of RAM.
  • At least 20 GB of free disk space.
  • A DVD drive or a USB flash drive to create a bootable media.
• Software:
  • An existing operating system to download and burn the ISO.
  • A program to create bootable media, such as Balena Etcher.
  • An FTP client or a web browser to download the ISO.

PROCEDURE: Installing KaOS Dinit 2026.06 RC

This guide will walk you through the installation of KaOS Dinit 2026.06 RC, the new release that marks a significant step in moving away from systemd.

• Step 1: Download the ISO
• Step 2: Verify the ISO's Integrity
• Step 3: Create a Bootable Media
• Step 4: Start the Installation
• Step 5: Configure the Installation
• Step 6: Disk Partitioning
• Step 7: Configure the Bootloader
• Step 8: Configure the Desktop
• Step 9: Begin the Installation
• Step 10: Complete the Installation
• Step 11: Configure the System

By the end of this guide, you will have successfully installed KaOS Dinit 2026.06 RC on your system.

Verification and Troubleshooting

Follow these steps to test the functionality of KaOS Dinit 2026.06 RC and resolve any issues.

Functionality Test

• System Boot: Download the ISO from Sourceforge and create a bootable USB drive. Boot the system and verify that the boot with Limine is correct.
• Login Manager: Check that greetd with tuigreet works correctly. Ensure you can log in to the Niri and Noctalia desktop.
• Desktop Environment: Verify that Niri 26.04 and Noctalia v5 alpha are operational and that all Qt and KDE applications are available.
• System Components: Check that all updated components, such as Linux kernel 7.0, Dinit 022, Mesa 26.1.2, and others, are correctly installed and functioning.

Troubleshooting

• RAID Installation: If you need to install on RAID, it is currently not supported. Consider using another storage system.
• XFS on BIOS: If you are installing on BIOS, XFS is not available due to issues with GRUB. Choose another filesystem.
• VirtualBox: If you are using VirtualBox, make sure to enable 3D acceleration and use VMSVGA. The system is optimized for Wayland.
• Boot Issues: If you encounter problems during boot, verify that Limine is correctly configured. Consult the official documentation for more details.
• Login Manager: If greetd does not work correctly, check the seatd configuration and ensure tuigreet is installed correctly.
• Desktop Environment: If you encounter problems with Niri or Noctalia, verify that all Qt 6.11 dependencies are correctly installed.

By the end of this guide, you will have understood the key steps KaOS is taking to move away from systemd and adopt Dinit as the init system. You will also have learned about the changes made to the desktop environment and system components.

Educational Summary

• Transition from systemd to Dinit: KaOS has taken a significant step towards abandoning systemd, adopting Dinit, Turnstile, and seatd for system boot.
• Change of Desktop Environment: Plasma has been removed from the default ISO, replaced by Niri and Noctalia, a Wayland desktop.
• System Component Updates: The Linux kernel has been updated to version 7.0, along with other key components such as Mesa, PipeWire, and OpenSSH.
• Changes to Bootloader and Display Manager: Limine is now the default bootloader, and SDDM has been replaced by greetd with tuigreet.

Call to Action

To experience these innovations firsthand, download the KaOS Dinit 2026.06 RC ISO from the project’s Sourceforge page and follow the installation steps. Remember to consult the official announcement for more details and specific instructions.