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https://github.com/MindPatch/awesome-linux-minimalism

awesome linux minimalism suggestions
https://github.com/MindPatch/awesome-linux-minimalism

List: awesome-linux-minimalism

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# Linux Alternatives and Minimalist Software Recommendations



Linux logo





  

    Awesome

  




This repository provides recommendations for lightweight, efficient Linux distributions, browsers, editors, and other tools.



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## Distributions



Here’s a list of Linux distributions that offer alternatives to systemd and prioritize simplicity, modularity, and efficiency:



- **[Alpine Linux](https://www.alpinelinux.org/)**: A minimalist, security-oriented distribution known for being lightweight.

- **[Devuan](https://www.devuan.org/)**: A systemd-free version of Debian, offering the familiar APT package manager.

- **[Artix Linux](https://artixlinux.org/)**: Arch-based, but uses `runit` or `openrc` as init systems instead of systemd.

- **[Void Linux](https://voidlinux.org/)**: An independent distribution that uses `runit` and features a very active and welcoming community.



---



## Browsers



For a more minimalist, efficient browsing experience, consider using these alternatives:



- **[Abaco](http://lab-fgb.com/abaco/)**: A graphical web browser for Plan 9, supporting most of HTML 4.01.

- **[Dillo](https://dillo-browser.github.io/)**: A blazingly fast graphical browser with basic CSS support.

- **[ELinks](http://elinks.or.cz/)**: A feature-rich fork of Links, without a graphical mode.

- **[netsurf](http://www.netsurf-browser.org/)**: A fast graphical browser with a custom engine and near-perfect CSS support.

- **[surf](https://surf.suckless.org/)**: A WebKit2-based browser that can be embedded into other applications.

- **[w3m](http://w3m.sourceforge.net/)**: A text-based browser that can view images in the terminal (with X11 hack).



---



## Text Editors



Minimalist and efficient text editors:



- **[acme](http://acme.cat-v.org/)**: A framing text editor for Plan 9 by Rob Pike.

- **[helix](https://helix-editor.com/)**: A post-modern modal text editor based on Kakoune, written in Rust.

- **[micro](https://micro-editor.github.io/)**: A terminal-based editor with familiar keybindings (e.g., ctrl-c for copy).

- **[vim](https://www.vim.org/)**: The iconic text editor with extensive customization options.



---



## Desktop Environments



If you prefer desktop environments over window managers, here are some lighter options:



- **[XFCE](https://www.xfce.org/)**: A classic, lightweight desktop environment with a good balance of features and performance.

- **[MATE](https://mate-desktop.org/)**: A fork of GNOME 2, lightweight and user-friendly.

- **[LXQt](https://lxqt-project.org/)**: A lightweight, modular desktop environment based on Qt.

- **[LXDE](http://www.lxde.org/)**: Designed to be lightweight, with a focus on simplicity and performance.

- **[Enlightenment](https://www.enlightenment.org/)**: An advanced, configurable desktop environment.



---



## Window Managers



For an even more minimalistic setup, consider these window managers:



- **[DWM](https://dwm.suckless.org/)**: A highly customizable and minimal window manager, customizable via code.

- **[i3-gaps](https://github.com/Airblader/i3)**: A tiling window manager customizable via config files.

- **[bspwm](https://github.com/baskerville/bspwm)**: A tiling window manager based on binary space partitioning.

- **[IceWM](https://ice-wm.org/)**: Known for its speed, simplicity, and low resource usage.



---



## Terminals



Efficient terminal emulators for minimalist setups:



- **[ST](https://st.suckless.org/)**: Lightweight and customizable, requires patching to add/remove features.

- **[Alacritty](https://github.com/alacritty/alacritty)**: A GPU-accelerated terminal for speed and performance.

- **[Kitty](https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/)**: A fast, feature-rich terminal emulator.

- **[rxvt-unicode](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Rxvt-unicode)**: A lightweight and customizable terminal.



---



## File Managers



For file management in the terminal:



- **[Ranger](https://github.com/ranger/ranger)**: A command-line file manager written in Python, with a visually appealing layout.

- **[LF](https://github.com/gokcehan/lf)**: A command-line file manager written in Go, a faster alternative to Ranger.

- **[NNN](https://github.com/jarun/nnn)**: A minimalist file manager written in C, focusing on speed and simplicity.



---



## Media Players



Command-line and GUI media players that are lightweight and efficient:



- **[MPV](https://github.com/mpv-player/mpv)**: A flexible media player with command-line and graphical capabilities.

- **[ncmpcpp](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/ncmpcpp)**: A text-based music player, ideal for minimal setups.

- **[moc](https://moc.daper.net/)**: A console audio player with a simple interface.



---



## Image Viewers



Minimalist and efficient image viewers:



- **[feh](https://feh.finalrewind.org/)**: Highly customizable, and can also set desktop backgrounds.

- **[sxiv](https://github.com/muennich/sxiv)**: A simple and lightweight image viewer.



---



## Password Managers



Secure, minimalist password managers for your terminal:



- **[pass](https://www.passwordstore.org/)**: The standard UNIX password manager.

- **[spm](https://notabug.org/kl3/spm/)**: A simple password manager written in Rust.



---



## Recommendations for Other Tools



- **Mail clients**: [mutt](http://www.mutt.org/), [aerc](https://git.sr.ht/~sircmpwn/aerc)

- **Static web servers**: [quark](https://tools.suckless.org/quark/), [darkhttpd](https://github.com/emikulic/darkhttpd)

- **Media players**: [MPV](https://mpv.io/), [mocp](https://moc.daper.net/)

- **Terminal multiplexer**: [mtm](https://github.com/deadpixi/mtm) – the smallest useful terminal multiplexer.