stackLinux

stackLinux is a Unix-like operating system in the Linux family designed to simplify the creation, deployment, and management of software stacks across developer workstations, servers, and cloud containers. It emphasizes declarative, reproducible configurations and automated provisioning, enabling teams to define a complete application stack in a single source of truth.

StackLinux was initiated by the Stack Project Foundation in 2022 as a Debian-based distribution with a DevOps focus. It aims to bridge the gap between OS provisioning and application orchestration by combining a curated base system with a stack-centric toolchain. The project is maintained by an open community with regular releases and long-term support variants.

At its core, stackLinux uses a Debian-based base image and an orchestration layer centered on the Stack toolset. A declarative file format, Stackfile, describes services, networks, storage, and deployment targets. The Stack runtime can provision local machines, remote servers, or cloud instances, using container runtimes such as Docker or Podman, and can also leverage systemd-nspawn or LXD for isolation. The distribution ships with a minimal base, plus a curated set of stacks, development tools, and security hardening options.

Key features include reproducible stacks, one-command deployment, built-in security scanning, and integration with common CI pipelines. It provides both Desktop and Server editions, with the desktop edition including a graphical environment and developer tools, and the server edition optimized for headless operation and automated provisioning. Package management centers on the Stack package manger, supporting both binary and source-based installations.

StackLinux targets developers, DevOps engineers, and educational environments. It has a modest but active community, with documentation, forums, and GitHub repositories supporting contributions and issue tracking.