// ITS FOSS — LINUX & OPEN SOURCE
KaOS Releases First Dinit-Based ISO, but It's Not Ditching Systemd Entirely
We are used to seeing systemd as the default init on most Linux distributions, but not everyone is a fan.
Some users and developers take issue with its broad scope, preferring init systems that do one thing and do it well rather than one that reaches into session management, logging, device handling, and more.
To escape it, people often find refuge in systemd-free distributions that feature a diverse selection of init systems.
While we are yet to see a widespread trend where mainstream distros ditch systemd, smaller projects have the flexibility to do so, with the decision usually being made only after discussing such a major change with the community.
KaOS, the independent distro built around Qt, has successfully embarked on its move away from systemd, introducing the first release candidate (RC) for what will be the next chapter in its developmental cycle.
Their motivation boils down to upstream changes that left the team in a tight spot. Systemd 254 dropped support for its split /usr setup, later versions killed AUFS compatibility, and KDE Plasma's increasing systemd dependency made things worse.
In the end, switching init systems became the only real option for the project. 🤷
The KaOS Dinit 2026.06 RC image ships with a new startup stack where Dinit takes over as the init system and service manager, Turnstile handles session and login tracking, and seatd takes care of seat management. Together, these cover what systemd previously handled as a single unit.
Just so you understand what the fuss is about, Dinit (source code) is a lightweight, open source service manager that can also act as a system init. It handles starting services in parallel, respects dependencies between them, and is designed to work with other system components rather than replace them fully.
It already powers Chimera Linux and eweOS as the default init and is one of the init options available on Artix Linux and antiX.