Questions & answers.
The things people ask most about RuscaLinux — what it is, how it stays stable, and how to get going. Can't find your answer? Reach out.
The basics
What is RuscaLinux?
RuscaLinux is a desktop Linux distribution based on Debian stable. It ships complete with office and multimedia software, supports many languages out of the box, and is designed to be refined, stable, and ready to use the moment it boots. The current release is 1.99.
Is it really free?
Yes. RuscaLinux is free to download, use, and share, and it's built on free and open-source software. "Free" is the first word of the slogan for a reason.
What is it based on?
It's built on Debian 13 with the Linux 6.12 kernel and a GNOME 48 desktop running on Wayland. You get Debian's rock-solid foundation and packaging discipline underneath a carefully finished experience on top.
Which desktop environment does it use?
GNOME 48, running under Wayland with Mutter. It's dressed in the custom Adwaita-Prugna icon set, a bespoke Plymouth boot splash, and the Syne wordmark throughout.
Updates & stability
Why are there no repositories?
By design. RuscaLinux ships with no active repositories so your system stays exactly as you installed and tested it — no nightly churn, no surprise breakages. Stability here is a deliberate feature, not a side effect.
How do I update, then?
You move forward by installing a new release. When a newer version is published, you download the fresh ISO and install it — giving you the same clean, known starting point every time, rather than a system that has drifted over months of partial upgrades.
How do I install extra software?
The system already comes complete for everyday office, web, and multimedia work, so most people never need to add anything. Advanced users can still install standalone Debian packages manually, but the intended path is the curated set that ships on the ISO.
Will I get security updates?
Each release is built from current Debian stable packages at the time it's cut. Because there are no live repositories, the way to pick up newer fixes is to install a newer RuscaLinux release when it becomes available.
Trying & installing
Can I try it without installing?
Yes. The ISO is hybrid: it boots as a full live system straight from a USB stick. Choose "Live system (amd64)" from the boot menu to explore without touching your disk, then run the installer when you're ready.
What are the system requirements?
A 64-bit (amd64) machine, a USB stick of 4 GB or larger to write the image, and enough disk space for the install. As a modern GNOME desktop, 4 GB of RAM is a comfortable minimum.
How do I verify my download?
Every release publishes a SHA256 checksum. After downloading, compare the hash of your file against the official one on the Download page. If a single character differs, don't use the file.
Is it accessible?
The boot menu includes "Start installer with speech synthesis" for a spoken, accessible installation. The GNOME desktop also provides its full suite of accessibility tools.
Languages & help
Which languages are supported?
More than 40, bundled into the base image — from the boot menu through to LibreOffice and Firefox. You pick your language during installation; nothing extra to download.
Where can I get help or report a bug?
Head to the Community page. You can watch and comment on the YouTube channel or write to info@ruscalinux.org.