Garuda Linux Introduces New Edition Featuring COSMIC Desktop
After launching Garuda Linux “Broadwing”, the development team is now working on an edition featuring System76’s COSMIC desktop environment. Known for supporting multiple desktop environments like KDE Plasma, GNOME, Xfce, Cinnamon, Hyprland, and i3, Garuda continues to push innovation in the Linux ecosystem. Additionally, it provides a Garuda Nix Subsystem, allowing users to experiment with NixOS.
Now, with the addition of COSMIC, Garuda embraces a Rust-based desktop experience. However, since COSMIC is still under development, this edition will launch with a basic setup.
A Work-in-Progress COSMIC Experience
The Garuda Linux team acknowledges that the COSMIC edition is still in its early stages.
“It is very barebones at the moment; basically just the stock COSMIC packages on a Garuda base–but if there is community interest in this, we can certainly build it up as people chime in with their tweaks and ideas,” the team shared.
Despite its minimal state, the experience mirrors what users find in Arch Linux, where an experimental installer allows COSMIC deployment. Over time, improvements will come based on user feedback.
What’s Included in Garuda COSMIC Edition?
This release features standard COSMIC applications, such as:
✅ COSMIC Files – File manager
✅ COSMIC Store – Application hub
✅ COSMIC Settings – Customization tool
✅ COSMIC Terminal – Command-line interface
✅ COSMIC Text Editor – Simple text editing
✅ COSMIC Screenshot – Screen capture utility
Alongside these, Garuda introduces its own enhancements:
🔹 Garuda Rani – A new Welcome app
🔹 Garuda Settings Manager – System configuration
🔹 FireDragon Web Browser – Secure browsing experience
🔹 Garuda Boot Repair & Boot Options – System recovery tools
🔹 Garuda Chroot, Network Assistant & System Maintenance – Essential utilities
However, the COSMIC Media Player, introduced in COSMIC Alpha 5, is absent due to its limited functionality at this stage.
Looking Ahead
With this expansion, Garuda Linux strengthens its position as a flexible and forward-thinking distribution. As COSMIC continues to evolve, the new edition will likely gain more features and refinements. By integrating this innovative desktop environment, Garuda offers Linux users yet another compelling option.
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