Release v0.2.6 · kan-linux/kan

Overview

Kan-Linux (an Omarchy-style Linux desktop distro built from scratch in a single repo) v0.2.6 was original released on Oct 01(source codes was released on Oct 01, verified Live ISO was updated on Oct 02, re-uploaded on Oct 05), 2026.

The codename is Qianyuan(乾元). "Qianyuan" originates from the I Ching, referring to the primal, creative force of heaven; it symbolizes the beginning and renewal of all things.

Download Live ISO

wget https://github.com/kan-linux/kan/releases/download/v0.2.6/kan-linux-0.2.6-x86_64.iso
wget https://github.com/kan-linux/kan/releases/download/v0.2.6/kan-linux-0.2.6-x86_64.iso.sha256

Live ISO File Integrity Verification

You can verify the downloaded Live ISO image with the SHA256 checksum.

sha256sum -c kan-linux-v0.2.6.iso.sha256

If the output shows OK, the file is intact.

How to Use Live ISO

Launch Live ISO

qemu-system-x86_64 -enable-kvm -m 16G -smp 8  -cdrom kan-linux-0.2.6-x86_64.iso -device virtio-vga-gl,xres=1920,yres=1080 -display gtk,gl=on  -smbios type=1,manufacturer="kan-linux",product="kan-linux 0.2.6",version="0.2.6" -usb -device usb-tablet -audiodev pa,id=audio0,out.buffer-length=100000,in.buffer-length=100000,timer-period=1000 -device intel-hda -device hda-duplex,audiodev=audio0 -netdev user,id=net0,hostfwd=tcp::2222-:22 -device virtio-net-pci,netdev=net0

This launches QEMU with the live ISO in GTK display mode with SSH forwarding enabled (host port 2222 -> guest port 22).

Keyboard Shortcuts in Desktop Mode

Super + Return: Launch terminal
Super + Shift + Return: Launch Firefox (online movie playback supported)

Switch to TTY Terminal in Desktop Mode

In the QEMU window, press Ctrl+Alt+G to release the mouse, then click View > compatmonitor0 to open the QEMU monitor. Run:

sendkey ctrl-alt-f2

This switches to a TTY terminal. Log in with root/root.

Remote Login to Live ISO

You may access the Live ISO via SSH from the host machine for convenient troubleshooting:

ssh -p 2222 root@localhost

Known Limitations

Only the terminal and Firefox are available as GUI applications in desktop environment, this is a stage-1 proof-of-concept designed for QEMU only.
No greeter. A functional greeter will be added in stage-2.1
No full desktop environment. A full desktop environment will be added in stage-2.1
Currently tested only under QEMU. Native boot on physical x86-64 PCs will be implemented in stage-2.2.
Currently tested only under QEMU. Native boot on physical x86-64 laptops will be implemented in stage-2.3.