Garuda Linux "Temeraire"
Garuda Temeraire ships Linux 7.2 with a new CachyOS-based linux-garuda kernel, Plasma Login Manager replacing SDDM, and a Hyprland edition rebuilt with Lua configuration.
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Garuda Linux “Temeraire” is the Arch-based distribution’s first major release in over a year, shipping Linux kernel 7.2 and changing several long-standing defaults. We covered it when it landed.
The project is moving to dragon names for releases; Temeraire comes from Naomi Novik’s novels.
The kernel change
Garuda built its reputation partly on shipping linux-zen by default. Temeraire replaces it with linux-garuda, built on the CachyOS kernel.
The new kernel runs the EEVDF scheduler and uses DKMS to ensure it is always rebuilt against the latest NVIDIA drivers. That last detail addresses one of the more common ways an Arch-based rolling system breaks: a kernel update lands, the proprietary NVIDIA module does not rebuild in time, and you reboot into a black screen.
If you are upgrading from an older Garuda install and depending on specific zen behavior, verify the switch rather than assuming it is transparent.
Plasma Login Manager
Both Plasma editions now use Plasma Login Manager instead of SDDM, including in the live environment, so the installer experience matches the installed one.
The Hyprland edition was rebuilt
Substantially changed:
- Configuration written entirely in Lua
hyprlockfor screen locking- Kitty as the default terminal
awwwreplacingswwwfor wallpapers
Moving the configuration to Lua is the significant one. Hyprland’s native config format is fine for small setups and becomes unwieldy for a heavily customized environment. Lua gives you variables, functions, and conditionals, which matters when a distribution maintains a config that has to work across widely varying hardware.
Existing Hyprland edition users should expect to redo their customizations.
Editions
KDE, Hyprland, and Sway variants, along with FireDragon 13 and 11, Garuda’s Firefox-derived browser.
What you are signing up for
Garuda is an Arch derivative with heavy theming and a large set of preinstalled tools. It is aimed at people who want gaming-oriented defaults and a visually distinctive desktop without configuring one.
As a rolling release it needs regular updates, and Garuda’s own advice is not to leave a system un-updated for long periods. Its garuda-update wrapper handles keyring refreshes and other things that catch out people who update infrequently.
Our Arch Linux explainer covers the underlying model.
Verify Your Download
Checksums are published alongside each ISO on the downloads page.