Void Linux

Independent, rolling release, no systemd. A clean-room distro that does things its own way.

Development Advanced

Overview

Based on	Independent (built from scratch)
Package manager	XBPS (X Binary Package System)
Package format	.xbps
Release model	Rolling release
Default DE	None (base install) or XFCE (live ISO option)
Init system	runit
Website	voidlinux.org

Why Void Linux?

No systemd - Uses runit as its init system and service supervisor. Simpler, faster boot, and easier to understand.
Truly independent - Not based on any other distro. Built from scratch with its own package manager, build system, and infrastructure.
XBPS - A fast, modern package manager. Supports partial updates, can install packages from multiple repos, and handles transactions atomically.
musl libc option - One of the few distros offering musl as an alternative to glibc. Smaller binaries, stricter standards compliance.
Rolling but stable - Continuous updates without the breakage sometimes seen in other rolling distros
Minimal by design - The base install is tiny. Build exactly the system you want.
xbps-src - A ports-like build system for creating packages from source, similar to the AUR but integrated

Package Management

Void uses XBPS, a fast and powerful package manager with a clean command-line interface.

# Sync repos and update everything
sudo xbps-install -Su

# Install packages
sudo xbps-install -S firefox git neovim

# Search for a package
xbps-query -Rs "text editor"

# Show package info
xbps-query -R firefox

# Remove a package
sudo xbps-remove firefox

# Remove a package and its orphaned dependencies
sudo xbps-remove -R firefox

# Remove orphaned packages
sudo xbps-remove -o

# List installed packages
xbps-query -l

# Find which package owns a file
xbps-query -o /usr/bin/git

# Show files installed by a package
xbps-query -f firefox

Building from Source (xbps-src)

# Clone the void-packages repo
git clone https://github.com/void-linux/void-packages.git
cd void-packages

# Bootstrap the build environment
./xbps-src binary-bootstrap

# Build a package
./xbps-src pkg package-name

# Install the built package
sudo xbps-install --repository hostdir/binpkgs package-name

# Create a custom package template in srcpkgs/

glibc vs musl: Void offers two variants. The glibc version has maximum software compatibility (choose this if unsure). The musl version uses a lightweight C library that produces smaller binaries but may have compatibility issues with some proprietary software (Steam, Discord, etc.).

runit Service Management

# runit services live in /etc/sv/ (available) and /var/service/ (enabled)

# Enable a service (create a symlink)
sudo ln -s /etc/sv/sshd /var/service/

# Disable a service (remove the symlink)
sudo rm /var/service/sshd

# Check service status
sudo sv status sshd

# Start / stop / restart a service
sudo sv start sshd
sudo sv stop sshd
sudo sv restart sshd

# List all enabled services
ls /var/service/

# List all available services
ls /etc/sv/

Tips

Use the glibc variant unless you have a specific reason to use musl
runit is simple: services are enabled by symlinking /etc/sv/service-name to /var/service/. No systemctl needed.
The Void Handbook (docs.voidlinux.org) is well-written and should be your first reference
Void supports Flatpak for desktop apps that aren't in the repos: sudo xbps-install -S flatpak
Use xbps-install -Su regularly. As a rolling release, staying current prevents issues.
For non-free software (NVIDIA drivers, firmware), enable the nonfree repo: sudo xbps-install -S void-repo-nonfree
Void has excellent cross-compilation support via xbps-src for ARM and other architectures