independent · source-only · linux

You don't install a system.
You craft one.

Keru is an anti-opinionated Linux distribution. Choose your init, libc, filesystem, kernel, and tools at install time — and it builds exactly what you chose from source. Nothing forced, nothing you didn't ask for.

↓ Download 0.1 Read the philosophy See what's swappable
runit · s6 · openrc · systemd · busybox-init · sysvinit · dinit · shepherd glibc · musl · uclibc-ng ext4 · btrfs · xfs · zfs · f2fs · jfs · reiserfs linux · linux-lts · linux-hardened · linux-cachyos · linux-zen doas · sudo · opendoas · su ける・けいとうてき — craft your system

the differentiator

Everything is swappable. Nothing is forced.

Most distros hand you someone else's decision. Keru refuses that — every foundational component is yours to pick, resolved at install time and locked in at first boot.

01Init system

runit, s6, openrc, systemd, busybox-init, sysvinit, dinit, shepherd — your call.

 02C library

glibc, musl, uclibc-ng. The foundation under everything is up to you.

 03Filesystem

ext4, btrfs, xfs, zfs, f2fs, jfs, reiserfs, swap. Pick your root.

 04Kernel

linux, linux-lts, hardened, cachyos, zen. The spine of your machine.

 05Privilege elevation

doas, sudo, opendoas, or plain su — decide how you elevate.

 06Network tools

networkmanager, connman, systemd-networkd, or nmtui on its own.

 07Everything else

kernel parameters, locale, clock, keymap — all configurable in make.conf.

 08Stability

Stable on what we offer. Past that, we warn and step aside — never block.

live demo

Boot. Choose. Built from source.

The ISO carries only the installer. Boot it, it starts the installer automatically, you make your picks — and it builds your entire system from source.

keru@live:~$
[ keru ] Keru OS — craft your system
Select the components, press enter for defaults.

== Init system ==       [runit]
== C library ==         [glibc]
== Filesystem ==        [ext4]
== Kernel ==            [linux]
== Privilege elevation == [doas]
== Network tools ==     [nmtui]

Selecting: btrfs  ← you choose, Keru builds it
...fetching source...
...compiling from scratch (gcc → glibc → the system)...
[ keru ] rootfs ready: /tmp/keru/root
[ keru ] you crafted a btrfs, doas, runit system. it boots.

why keru

Purist. Honest. Light.

~225
lines, kama package manager
0
binary packages
1,000+
possible system combos
0
opinions forced on you
Source-only

Everything — toolchain included — compiled from original source. No binary packages, no opaque machinery.

Kama, the kiln

The whole package manager is a ~225-line shell script. Legible. You can read every decision it makes.

Anti-opinionated

Keru's only opinion is that you must form one. After that, it shuts up and builds exactly what you chose.

From scratch

The ISO carries only the installer. Your system is fetched and built on the fly during install.

Warn, don't block

Stability is guaranteed on what's offered. Push past the proven edge and Keru warns you, then gets out of your way.

All yours

No telemetry, no unwanted services, no background assumptions. The disk reflects exactly what you chose.

Ready when it's ready.

Keru 0.1 will ship as a bootable ISO. No source builds, no manual tooling — boot, choose, then watch it craft your system.

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