// Introduction

Welcome to LukiLinux

LukiLinux is a lightweight Linux distribution built on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. The idea was simple. Take Ubuntu 24.04 as a base, put a properly customised LXQt desktop on top, and strip out anything that has no reason to be there. What you get is something fast, reliable, and out of your way.

LXQt is one of the lightest desktop environments available that still looks and feels modern in 2026. Everything you see has been configured specifically for LukiLinux. The theme, icons, panel layout, fonts and wallpaper all match. It is not just a default LXQt install with a different name on it.

Note: LukiLinux is an independent project. It uses Ubuntu as its foundation but is not affiliated with Canonical.

// Requirements

System Requirements

LukiLinux is designed to run well on older and lower-end hardware. If your machine ran Windows 10, it will run LukiLinux.

  • CPU: Any 64-bit (x86_64) processor
  • RAM: 2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended
  • Storage: 20 GB minimum. SSD is recommended but HDD works fine
  • USB Drive: 4 GB or more for installation media
  • Boot: BIOS/MBR and UEFI both supported
  • Internet: Recommended but not required to install

// Installation

Installing LukiLinux

Step 1: Download the ISO

Head to the Download page and grab the latest stable ISO.

Step 2: Flash it to a USB

Use Balena Etcher for a simple graphical experience, or use the terminal:

# Linux/Mac:
sudo dd if=LukiLinux-1.0.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress && sync
Warning: Replace /dev/sdX with your actual USB device. Double-check with lsblk first. This will wipe whatever is on the drive.

Step 3: Boot from USB

Restart and boot from the USB. The key to open the boot menu is usually F12, F2 or Delete at startup. It depends on your motherboard.

Step 4: The installer launches automatically

LukiLinux uses its own built-in graphical installer. It launches automatically a few seconds after the desktop loads. You do not need to find it or click anything. It pops up on its own. If for any reason it doesn't, there's a shortcut on the desktop.

Step 5: Follow the installer

The installer will walk you through choosing a disk, setting up your user account, picking your timezone, and installing the bootloader. The whole process takes around 10–20 minutes depending on your hardware.

Step 6: Reboot

When the installer finishes, remove the USB and reboot. You'll land straight on your LukiLinux desktop.

// The Desktop

LXQt: What we changed

LXQt is the desktop environment that runs on top of LukiLinux. Out of the box it's already lightweight and capable, but we've made a number of changes to make it feel like it belongs to LukiLinux rather than just being a default install.

  • Theme: Arc-Dark, a clean flat dark theme
  • Icons: Papirus Dark icon set
  • Font: Inter, which is easy to read on any screen
  • Panel: Repositioned and cleaned up so only the useful stuff is there
  • Wallpaper: Custom LukiLinux wallpaper set as default

All of these defaults apply to new users automatically. If you want to change anything, right-click the desktop or open LXQt Configuration Centre from the applications menu.

// Apps

What comes pre-installed

We ship a minimal set of apps that cover the basics and nothing more. Everything else is up to you to install.

  • Firefox for browsing
  • PCManFM-Qt for managing files
  • Featherpad for editing text
  • VLC for media
  • LXTerminal
  • PulseAudio for sound
  • NetworkManager with a tray applet

That's it. No office suite, no games, no apps you didn't ask for.

// Post-Install

First steps after installing

Update everything

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Set up your home folders

xdg-user-dirs-update

Install a browser extension or two

Firefox is ready to go. Head to addons.mozilla.org and grab uBlock Origin at minimum.

Check your audio

pavucontrol

// Software

Installing software

LukiLinux uses apt for installing software, same as Ubuntu and Debian. If you have used either before you already know how this works.

Search for a package

apt search package-name

Install a package

sudo apt install package-name

Remove a package

sudo apt remove package-name

Install a .deb file

sudo dpkg -i filename.deb

Add a PPA

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:some/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install the-package
Tip: Because LukiLinux is Ubuntu-based, any tutorial or package that works on Ubuntu 24.04 will work here too.

// Updates

Keeping LukiLinux updated

Security and software updates come from Ubuntu's repositories automatically. Run this regularly:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Clean up old packages periodically:

sudo apt autoremove && sudo apt autoclean
New LukiLinux releases will be announced on this site. When a new ISO drops, existing installs do not need to be reinstalled. Keep running apt upgrade and you will stay current.

// FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is this based on Ubuntu?

Yes. LukiLinux is built on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. Full compatibility with Ubuntu packages, PPAs, and documentation.

Why LXQt and not GNOME or KDE?

GNOME and KDE are both excellent but they're heavy. LXQt gives you a modern, functional desktop at a fraction of the resource cost. It idles under 400MB of RAM which leaves plenty of headroom for what you're actually doing.

Can I install it alongside Windows?

Yes. The installer supports dual boot. It will detect Windows during partitioning and give you options. Make sure you have backups before touching partitions.

Does it support UEFI?

Yes. Both BIOS/MBR and UEFI are supported. The installer detects which one your machine uses automatically.

Is it free?

Completely. No cost, no catch, no premium tier. Just Linux.

What's the difference between the full and minimal editions?

The full edition ships with the LXQt desktop and all the default apps. The minimal edition is just a base Ubuntu system with a terminal and no desktop. It is for people who want to build their own setup from scratch.