Awesome Arch-based Projects

A curated directory of Linux distributions and related projects built on or inspired by Arch Linux.

• Website/Source: https://github.com/PandaFoss/Awesome-Arch#readme
• Category: Themed Directories
• Tags: linux, arch, operating-systems
• Brand: pandafoss

Overview

Awesome Arch-based Projects is a curated list of operating systems and tools that are based on Arch Linux, use its package ecosystem, or are strongly inspired by it. It organizes both Linux and non-Linux projects, installers, AUR helpers, and derivatives into clear sections for easy discovery.

Features

Structured Categories

• Arch-based projects

  • Linux
    • Focus: Distributions strongly inspired by Arch Linux.
    • Examples:
      • Arch Linux 32 – Community-maintained continuation of 32‑bit support for Arch Linux.
      • Arch Linux ARM – Arch-based distribution for ARM computers.
  • Not Linux
    • Focus: Non-Linux projects based on or derived from Arch.
    • Examples:
      • PacBSD – Lightweight and flexible BSD distribution using the pacman package manager.
      • Arch Hurd – Port of Arch Linux to the GNU Hurd system, optimized for i686.
      • ArchWSL – Arch Linux as a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) instance.

• Arch-based distros

  • Desktop (general-use Arch-based Linux distributions)
    • Manjaro – Linux distribution based on Arch Linux intended as a replacement for Windows or macOS.
    • ArcoLinux – Full-featured Arch-based distribution.
    • ArchBang Linux – Lightweight Arch-based distribution.
    • Archcraft OS – Minimalistic, aesthetics-focused Arch-based distribution.
    • Archman – Arch-based distribution with Calamares system installer and pre-configured desktop environment.
    • Bluestar Linux – Arch-based GNU/Linux distribution.
    • Crystal Linux – New Arch-based distribution aiming to be beginner friendly, easy to use, and powerful.
    • CachyOS – Arch-based GNU/Linux distribution featuring an optimized linux-cachyos kernel with the BORE scheduler for performance.
    • EndeavourOS – Rolling-release Linux distribution based on Arch Linux.
    • ArchLabs Linux – Arch-based distribution featuring the Openbox window manager as the primary desktop interface.
    • Namib GNU/Linux – Desktop operating system based on and compatible with Arch Linux (description truncated in source).

• Additional sections (listed in table of contents)

  • Specific purpose Arch-based distros – Arch derivatives tailored for particular use-cases (details not fully shown in excerpt).
  • Pacman-based Linux distros – Distributions using the pacman package manager (not necessarily strictly Arch-based).
  • SystemD-free Arch-based distros – Arch derivatives that do not use systemd.
  • Arch Linux Installers – Tools to simplify installing Arch Linux.
  • AUR Helpers – Tools for interacting with the Arch User Repository (AUR), organized into:
    • Search and download
    • Search and build
    • Pacman wrappers
    • Graphical AUR helpers
    • Maintenance tools
    • Other helper types
  • Other projects – Additional Arch-related tools or initiatives.
  • Inactive projects – Historical or no-longer-maintained Arch-based efforts.

Focus on Arch Linux Ecosystem

• Highlights Arch Linux as a minimal, user-configured base system focused on simplicity, minimalism, and code elegance.
• Emphasizes derivatives that extend Arch to different architectures (x86-64, 32-bit, ARM) and platforms (BSD, GNU Hurd, WSL).

Pricing

• Not applicable. This is a free, open, GitHub-hosted curated list, not a commercial product or service.