Ryoku Linux does not offer a menu of conventional desktop editions such as GNOME, KDE Plasma, or Xfce. It is an Arch-based distribution built around one coordinated Wayland desktop: the Ryoku shell runs with Hyprland or niri. Choose Ryoku if that integrated, keyboard-oriented approach appeals to you and you are comfortable trying a public-beta system; check hardware compatibility before installing.
What desktop does Ryoku Linux use?
Ryoku is a distribution with its own integrated desktop, not simply a theme you add to another Linux system. The project combines a Wayland compositor with a Quickshell-based shell and related components such as settings, a launcher, and a lock screen. Its FAQ describes one complete Wayland desktop that can run on Hyprland or niri. The Ryoku website currently presents Hyprland, while the project README documents both Hyprland and niri.
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So if you are asking, “Does Ryoku use KDE or GNOME?”, the answer is no: those are not separate Ryoku desktop editions. Installing Ryoku means adopting its integrated desktop and system approach rather than choosing among the usual desktop options in an installer.
Should you choose Ryoku?
Ryoku may suit you if
- You want a cohesive, opinionated desktop rather than a stock GNOME, Plasma, or Xfce setup.
- You are comfortable with a Wayland session and a workflow that may suit keyboard-oriented interaction.
- You are interested in exploring a custom desktop that is still in public beta.
- Your machine meets the project’s stated requirements, and you are willing to check the hardware guide for your exact device.
Consider another option or test first if
- You specifically need GNOME, KDE Plasma, or Xfce as the desktop environment.
- You rely on a mature, settled environment for a critical machine and cannot accommodate beta software.
- You have older or low-resource hardware. Ryoku says it favors capable hardware and is not designed as a lightweight distribution.
The beta status is a reason to try Ryoku on suitable hardware before depending on it, not evidence of any particular support guarantee. The project’s public-beta description and positioning are on its website.
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How to choose between Hyprland and niri
Ryoku documents both compositors, but the available project information does not establish an objective winner or provide controlled comparisons of speed, usability, or reliability. Treat this as a personal workflow choice, not a performance ranking.
- Interaction and configuration: consider which compositor’s interaction style and configuration approach feels more natural to you.
- Current Ryoku behavior: confirm how each option is presented and supported in the build you plan to use; the website currently highlights Hyprland, while the README names Hyprland and niri.
- Your hardware and beta tolerance: test on your own device if compatibility or reliability matters. These are sensible decision criteria, not findings from a head-to-head test.
If you want a direct comparison with GNOME, Plasma, Xfce, or another distribution, remember that you are comparing different projects and workflows. The project information cited here does not show that Ryoku is objectively faster, easier, or more accessible than those alternatives.
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Check Ryoku’s requirements before installing
The following are requirements and recommendations published in the Ryoku README, accessed in 2026; the page does not state a publication year. They are project-provided guidance, not independent benchmarks, and may change with releases or package selections.
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| Item | Ryoku project guidance |
|---|---|
| Architecture and boot | x86-64 and UEFI boot |
| Minimum CPU | Dual-core 64-bit CPU |
| Minimum memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Recommended memory | 8 GB RAM |
| Development toolchains | 16 GB RAM is described as comfortable |
| Resting session memory | Under 1 GB RAM, according to the project; applications and toolchains use the remaining memory budget |
| Storage | 32 GB installer floor; the README estimates approximately 13–15 GB for the base plus developer and desktop package closure |
| Recommended storage | At least 64 GB; SSD storage is recommended |
| Graphics and firmware | Working graphics support is required; Secure Boot must be off |
The 32 GB figure is an installer floor, not a promise that every install and workload will fit comfortably. Check the official hardware guide for GPU support and contingencies involving graphics, dual boot, or firmware. General requirements cannot certify that a particular computer will work.
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How to try Ryoku
- Check the hardware guide: compare your graphics hardware and firmware situation with the project’s installation hardware guidance.
- Get the installation files: follow the project’s README installation instructions to download the image, signature, and checksums.
- Write the image to a USB flash drive: verify the download as directed by the project, then create the installer media. The cited instructions do not specify a particular drive model or capacity.
- Boot and evaluate it on your hardware: try the current build and assess the desktop interaction and compositor option for yourself before relying on it.
The README also documents a route for converting an existing Arch system. Follow its current instructions if that path is relevant to you rather than assuming Ryoku is only installable from an image.
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