Curated Forky base
Designed around a delayed Debian Testing / Forky model: newer than Debian Stable, calmer than raw Testing.
Founder Preview
Mann Industries Linux
MI Linux is a polished Debian Testing / Forky-based GNOME desktop OS built for everyday users who want modern hardware support, gaming-ready foundations, privacy-respecting defaults, and a clear update path.
- Release
- MI Linux Forky Founder
- Base
- Debian Testing / Forky
- Desktop
- GNOME
- Status
- Founder Preview
mi-linux@founder:~$ verify-release ISO: mi-linux-forky-founder-amd64.iso SHA256: available SHA512: available Source: GitHub public recipe
Download
Get MI Linux Founder Preview
The full ISO is hosted on MannCloud. Checksum files are published alongside it so you can verify the download before writing it to a USB drive.
Why MI Linux
More than a theme. Built like a real OS.
Polished GNOME desktop
Bottom taskbar direction, MI Linux identity, Firefox, ONLYOFFICE, Flatpak, Flathub, and GNOME Software.
Gaming-ready foundation
Planned support for i386 multiarch, Vulkan, GameMode, MangoHud, controllers, and Proton tools without overloading the base install.
Privacy-respecting defaults
No telemetry, no required online account, no automatic usage reporting, and user-controlled bug reporting.
Real release artifacts
Bootable ISO, checksums, release notes, known issues, public source, and MannCloud-hosted downloads.
Mann Industries identity
Branding, wallpaper, boot/install identity, welcome app, update manager, and dedicated apt repository direction.
Verification
Verify before you install
After downloading the ISO, compare it with the SHA256 or SHA512 file. The checksum should match exactly before you write the USB.
sha256sum -c mi-linux-forky-founder-amd64.iso.sha256 sha512sum -c mi-linux-forky-founder-amd64.iso.sha512
Update server
Signed MI Linux apt repository
Installed systems use the MI Linux update server at apt.mannindustries.org. The Founder Preview channel is forky-founder, with a separate forky-tester channel for early testing.
Types: deb URIs: https://apt.mannindustries.org Suites: forky-founder Components: main Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/mi-linux-archive-keyring.gpg
Install path
Try it live, then install with Calamares
- DownloadGet the ISO and checksum files from MannCloud.
- VerifyCheck SHA256 or SHA512 before writing the image.
- Write USBUse Rufus, balenaEtcher, GNOME Disks, Ventoy, or the repo helper script.
- Boot liveStart the USB in UEFI or Legacy BIOS and try the live desktop.
- InstallLaunch Install MI Linux and follow the Calamares installer.
Open build recipe
Review the project on GitHub
Build scripts, live-build configuration, package sources, documentation, and website files are public for review and feedback.