System Architecture
Immutable Architecture
Last Updated: 2 October, 2026Nitrux has used an immutable root filesystem since version 2.6.0 (January 2023); this change allows us to provide new distribution versions with greater certainty that modifications to the root will
Aesthetic FHS
Last Updated: 2 October, 2026The traditional Filesystem Hierarchy Standard uses abbreviated, historically-derived names (/etc, /usr, /var, /sbin) that obscure their purpose. Aesthetic FHS replaces this structure with human-readable paths that communicate intent directly. This
Rootless App Model
Last Updated: 2 October, 2026Nitrux enforces a strict separation between the immutable root filesystem and user-installed software. Applications never modify the root—they exist entirely in user-writable locations, managed through declarative tooling rather than traditional
Init System
Last Updated: 2 October, 2026Nitrux uses OpenRC as its init system instead of systemd. Why OpenRC? Nitrux follows the Unix philosophy: “do one thing and do it well.” Systemd is more than an init
Language Stratification
Last Updated: 2 October, 2026Nitrux follows a deliberate language stratification model when developing native components. This model reflects the system’s architectural priorities and ensures that each platform layer uses the language best suited to