CRUX

Linux distribution

This article is about the Linux distribution. For other uses, see Crux (disambiguation).

This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources.
Find sources: "CRUX" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Linux distribution

CRUX Linux

The Crux Linux Logo

Screenshot KDE Desktop for Crux Linux OS (2007).

Developer| Per Lidén and CRUX community
OS family| Linux (Unix-like)
Working state| Active
Source model| Open source
Initial release| December 2002; 22 years ago (2002-12)
Latest release| 3.8[1] / April 21, 2025; 2 months ago (2025-04-21)
Update method| ports
Package manager| pkgutils[2]
Platforms| x86-64
Kernel type| Linux (Monolithic)
Userland| GNU
Influenced| Arch Linux
Default
user interface| Openbox
License| Various
Official website| crux.nu

CRUX is a lightweight x86-64 Linux distribution targeted at experienced Linux users and delivered by a tar.gz-based package system with BSD-style initscripts. It is not based on any other Linux distribution.[3] It also utilizes a ports system to install and upgrade applications.[4]

Although crux is the Latin word for "cross," the choice of the name "CRUX" itself has no meaning. Per Lidén chose it because it "sounded cool," and ends in "X" which puts it in line with various other Unix flavors such as IRIX, Ultrix, Mac OS X and IBM AIX.[5]

## Installation

[edit]

CRUX does not include a GUI installation program. Instead, the user boots the kernel stored on either a CD or diskette; partitions the hard disk drive(s) to which the operating system will be installed (using a program such as fdisk or cfdisk); creates the appropriate file systems on the various partitions; mounts the CD or NFS share along with the partitions made previously for use by the package installation script; compiles a new kernel; and installs a bootloader, all via shell commands.[6][7]

## Package management

[edit]

Further information: Ports system

CRUX implements an infrastructure similar to that of BSD-based operating systems for package management. Packages consist of a Pkgfile (which is a shell script), any patches required to adjust the program to work, md5sum hashes used to verify the integrity of the downloaded files and a footprint file listing the files to be included in the packages. These files are downloaded from a CRUX software repository, compiled, and installed using the prt-get frontend to pkgutils.[2] The software sources are downloaded from the websites of their respective upstream at the address specified in the Pkgfile.

## Releases

[edit]

x86 Release History  Version  | Date

|

1.0  | 2002 December
1.1  | 2003 March
1.2  | 2003 August
1.3  | 2003 December
1.3.1  | 2004 February
2.0  | 2004 March
2.1  | 2005 April
2.2  | 2006 April
2.3  | 2007 March
2.4  | 2007 December
2.5  | 2008 December
2.6  | 2009 September
2.7  | 2010 October
2.7.1  | 2011 November
2.8  | 2012 October
3.0  | 2013 January
3.1  | 2014 July
3.2  | 2015 November
3.3  | 2017 February
3.4  | 2018 May
3.5[8] | 2019 June
3.6[9] | 2020 December
3.6.1  | 2020 December
3.7  | 2022 September
3.8  | 2025 April

## Reviews

[edit]

Simone Rota reviewed CRUX for OSNews:[10]

> Since to use CRUX you must compile your own kernel and modules, the hardware compatibility list is basically the same as the Linux kernel.(2.4.21 on the tested release). No third-party modules are available on the CD, in case of unsupported hardware the only option is to fetch the drivers from another machine. The bootable CD-Rom kernel is compiled with a relatively small set of options, that should be enough to boot the machine and proceed with installation.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Release Notes for CRUX 3.8". 21 April 2025. Retrieved 2025-05-11.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
2. ^ a b "The Package System", Handbook, Crux.nu, archived from the original on January 22, 2013, retrieved January 19, 2013
3. ^ Loli, Eugenia. "Interview With the Creators of CRUX and Root Linux". OS News. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
4. ^ HomePage, Crux.nu, archived from the original on August 13, 2001, retrieved January 19, 2013
5. ^ "6. Miscellaneous", FAQ, Crux.nu, July 22, 2008, archived from the original on February 20, 2008, retrieved March 26, 2012
6. ^ "Installing CRUX", Handbook, Crux.nu, archived from the original on May 27, 2010, retrieved March 26, 2012
7. ^ "NFSInstall", Wiki, Crux.nu, July 15, 2008, archived from the original on September 24, 2008, retrieved March 26, 2012
8. ^ "CRUX | Main / ReleaseNotes3-5". crux.nu. Archived from the original on 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
9. ^ "CRUX | Main / ReleaseNotes3-6". crux.nu. Archived from the original on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
10. ^ Review: CRUX Linux Archived 2018-06-12 at the Wayback Machine, OSNews

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to CRUX.

* Official website
* CRUX for Alternative Architectures: x86_64, ppc, ppc64, arm, sparc64
* CRUX at DistroWatch

* v
* t
* e

Linux distributions

Android|

| LineageOS|

* /e/
* CalyxOS
* CrDroid
* iodéOS
* Replicant

|

* Android-x86
* Celadon
* ColorOS
* EMUI
* Fire OS
* GrapheneOS
* HiOS
* One UI
* Paranoid Android
* Resurrection Remix OS
* OmniROM
* XOS
* Xiaomi HyperOS

Arch|

* ArchBang
* Artix
* BlackArch
* EndeavourOS
* Frugalware
* Garuda
* Hyperbola GNU
* LinHES
* Manjaro
* Parabola GNU
* SteamOS (3.0 onwards)
* SystemRescue

Debian|

| Ubuntu|

* Official: Edubuntu
* Kubuntu
* Lubuntu
* Ubuntu Budgie
* Ubuntu Cinnamon
* Ubuntu Kylin
* Ubuntu MATE
* Ubuntu Studio
* Ubuntu Unity
* Xubuntu

* Derivatives: BackBox
* Bodhi Linux
* elementary OS
* Emmabuntüs
* KDE neon
* Freespire
* Linux Lite
* Linux Mint
* Nova OS
* Peppermint OS
* Pop! OS
* Trisquel
* Ubuntu Touch
* Uruk
* Winux
* Zorin OS

|

* antiX
* Astra
* Bharat Operating System Solutions
* BlankOn Linux
* Commodore OS
* Damn Small Linux
* deepin
* Devuan
* Elive
* Endless OS
* FreedomBox
* Kaisen
* Kali
* Kanotix
* Knoppix
* MX Linux
* Parrot OS
* PureOS
* Raspberry Pi OS
* Q4OS
* Slax
* SparkyLinux
* SolydXK
* Tails
* Tizen
* TrueNAS
* UOS
* Whonix

Fedora|

| CentOS
Stream|

* AlmaLinux
* EulerOS
* Miracle Linux
* Oracle Linux
* Red Hat Enterprise Linux
* Rocky Linux

|

* Asahi Linux
* Bazzite
* Network Security Toolkit
* Nobara
* Qubes OS
* Red Star OS
* Sailfish OS

Gentoo|

* Calculate Linux
* ChromiumOS (ChromeOS)
* Pentoo

Mandrake|

* ALT Linux
* PCLinuxOS

Mandriva|

* Mageia
* OpenMandriva Lx
* ROSA Linux

Slackware|

* Austrumi Linux
* Porteus
* Salix OS
* Slax
* Zenwalk

SUSE|

* openSUSE
* SUSE Linux Enterprise
* Open Enterprise Server
* GeckoLinux

Other|

* 4MLinux
* Alpine
* CHAOS
* Chimera Linux
* Clear Linux OS
* CRUX
* Kwort
* GoboLinux
* Guix SD
* KaiOS
* KaOS
* NixOS
* Puppy
* Source Mage
* Solus
* T2 SDE
* Tiny Core Linux
* Void

Discontinued|

| Android|

* CyanogenMod
* Cherry OS
* DivestOS
* MIUI
* PixelExperience
* Remix OS

|

Arch|

* ArchLabs
* Antergos
* Chakra

Debian|

* Ubuntu: Asturix
* Black Lab Linux
* Cub Linux
* Gobuntu
* gOS
* Linux Caixa Mágica
* LinuxTLE
* LXLE Linux
* Pinguy OS
* Sabily
* Ubuntu GNOME

* Other derivatives: BackTrack
* Corel Linux
* CrunchBang Linux
* DoudouLinux
* Dreamlinux
* Feather Linux
* gNewSense
* HandyLinux
* Libranet
* Musix GNU+Linux
* Parsix
* SteamOS (1.0–2.0)
* Sunwah Linux

Gentoo|

* Container Linux
* Sabayon Linux
* xB Machine

Red Hat,
Fedora|

* BLAG Linux and GNU
* CentOS
* ClearOS
* Linpus Linux
* Korora
* Linux for PlayStation 2
* Scientific Linux
* Red Hat Linux
* Rocks Cluster Distribution
* Think Blue Linux
* Turbolinux
* Vine Linux
* Yellow Dog Linux

Slackware|

* Absolute Linux
* BioSLAX
* Damn Vulnerable Linux
* KateOS
* Kongoni
* NimbleX
* Platypux
* TopologiLinux
* VectorLinux

SUSE|

* SUSE Studio Express

Other|

* Caldera OpenLinux
* DemoLinux
* Dragora
* Familiar Linux
* Firefox OS
* B2G OS
* Floppyfw
* Foresight Linux
* Immunix
* Jurix
* Linux Router Project
* MCC Interim Linux
* MeeGo
* Mer
* Mobilinux
* Nitix
* OpenELEC
* Softlanding Linux System
* Splashtop OS
* Turkix

* List
* Comparison
* Linux portal
* Category

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template