CalamaroOS

Gentoo Linux — Simplified
CalamaroOS

A universal distribution built on Gentoo Stage 3 + Systemd, with the Calamares graphical installer to make Gentoo accessible to everyone. Official binary packages, source compilation when needed, Flatpak integrated and four desktop environments to choose from. The power of Gentoo, without barriers.
Gentoo Stage 3 Systemd Calamares Installer Flatpak EXT4 · BTRFS · XFS · F2FS 64-bit

Features

✦ Aggiornato · 2026.05.05 🪟 XFCE Desktop CalamaroOS 2026.05.05 New release of the XFCE edition, synchronized with the latest Gentoo updates as of 2026/05/05. The perfect balance between lightness and functionality: GTK3-based, fast to boot and responsive in daily use. Like the Plasma edition, this ISO adopts the new /boot partition scheme — permanently mounted and sized at 1 GB — to resolve space issues caused by initramfs.img and avoid warnings related to linux-firmware and gentoo-kernel-bin installation. Synced with Gentoo to 2026/05/05 /boot permanently mounted · 1 GB · initramfs & kernel-bin fix GTK3 desktop — fast and customizable Flatpak · EXT4 / BTRFS / XFS / F2FS Calamares graphical installer
✦ Update · 2026.05.03 🖥️ KDE Plasma CalamaroOS 2026.05.03 New release of the Plasma edition, synchronized with the latest Gentoo updates. Introduces an important change to /boot partition management, applied starting from this ISO and coming to all editions: the partition is now permanently mounted and its size has been increased to 1 GB (unless manual partitioning is chosen). The change was necessary to resolve space issues caused by initramfs.img and to avoid warnings related to linux-firmware and the failure to install gentoo-kernel-bin, which previously required manually mounting /boot first.
✦ New · 2026.04.06 ⚡ LXQt Desktop CalamaroOS 2026.04.06 The lightest and most responsive edition in the CalamaroOS family. LXQt combines the Qt framework's efficiency with a clean, modern interface, using minimal CPU and RAM. Ideal for very old hardware, virtual machines, or anyone seeking an ultra-fast system from boot to daily use. Ultra-lightweight Qt desktop environment Gentoo Stage 3 + Systemd Binary packages + source compilation Flatpak · EXT4 / BTRFS / XFS / F2FS Calamares graphical installer
● 2026.04.02 🌿 MATE Desktop CalamaroOS 2026.04.02 The classic environment par excellence, born as a GNOME 2 fork. Intuitive from the very first boot, light on resources and battle-tested over time. MATE offers a familiar and productive workflow, perfect for those who want no surprises and seek absolute stability day after day. GNOME 2 desktop — classic and stable Gentoo Stage 3 + Systemd Binary packages + source compilation Flatpak · EXT4 / BTRFS / XFS / F2FS Calamares graphical installer ⬇ Download CalamaroOS MATE Sudo/root password: calamaroos

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User Reviews

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humrand Posted 2026-05-05

hello, i really like this distro but, could you add support for open rc instead of systemd? if not i understand it but i would love to have open rc lol

Reply from CalamaroOS

Posted 2026-05-05

I understand your request; it's a time constraint. I'm working to improve and stabilize the project; lxde, gnome and cinnamon are still missing. I'll see what I can do later. Thanks for the review.
mago Posted 2026-05-03

I couldn't get the Nvidia driver to work, I followed the guide on the Gentoo wiki. I might be being stupid, but an ISO with this configured could be a good addition. No matter what I did, it only uses llvmpipe as the graphics driver.

Reply from CalamaroOS

Posted 2026-05-04

Hi, I'm fixing some things on CalamaroOS, increased the boot partition to 1 GB and permanently mounted it, and I haven't had time to provide any instructions. For the NVIDIA drivers, in addition to blocking the new ones, I need to work on /etc/default/grub. I'm off to work as soon as I can now, reinstall the NVIDIA drivers today, and post the guide.
pcr1reg Posted 2026-05-01

Tried this once Mate worked grate.Really wanted .Cinnamon ,decided to try plasma.Will hook to internet right away ,reboot no internet or sound.Tried mate again same thing.Really like this suspect minor bug.Cinnamon comes out and works will be a favoite in the herd.Thanks for your time and effort.
marc41 Posted 2026-04-22

I tried to install using the full encryption option after the installation finish. When I reboot it couldn’t find the encrypted drive. The installer works without the encryption option.

Reply from CalamaroOS

Posted 2026-04-25

Thanks for letting us know; we're on it.
trando Edited 2026-04-10

nvidia driver not installing,21 stcentury

Reply from CalamaroOS

Posted 2026-04-10

Hi, you can install the Nvidia driver by Trando. The Nouveau driver must be blacklisted and installed in the Nvidia drivers found in the Gentoo repositories. For xorg.conf, it must be done from the nvidia-xconfig terminal. On the PC with an OK GTX1070 on an old Nvidia card, I had to set /etc/default/grub. I promised myself a guide, I'm working on CalaroOS cinnamon. Let me know if you've solved it; if necessary, ask gemini or write to me. I assure you the Nvidia drivers work on Gentoo. :-) Let me know, if necessary I'll prepare a guide to put on the desktop and add it here in a file.