Clear Linux OS

{{Short description|Linux distribution by Intel}} {{for|the Red Hat-derived Linux distribution|ClearOS}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox OS | name = Clear Linux OS  | logo = Clear Linux logo.svg | logo size = 77px | logo caption =  | logo alt = | screenshot = Clear Linux GNOME switcher 10-24-37.png | caption = Clear Linux OS's default GNOME desktop (2021) | screenshot_alt = | collapsible = | version of =  | developer = Intel | family = Linux (Unix-like) | working state =  Discontinued | source model =  Open source | released = {{Start date and age|2015|02|06}}<ref name="2015---01.org-clearlinux"/><ref name="2015-05-20-clearlinux.org"/> | discontinued = yes | latest release version = 43800 | latest release date = {{Start date and age|2025|07|21}}<ref name="clearlinux-releases"/> | marketing_target = DevOps, AI, Cloud, Container<ref name="docs_about"/> | programmed in = | language = English, Spanish, Chinese | language count = | language footnote = | updatemodel = Rolling release,<ref name="clearlinux-releases"/><br/>auto-updating<ref>more frequently than weekly</ref><br/><ref name="clearlinux-news-highlights-5-auto-updating"/><ref name="docs_about" /><ref name="extremetech-2019-clear-linux-os-update"/> | package manager = swupd | supported platforms = x86-64 | kernel type =  Monolithic kernel (Linux) | userland = | ui = GNOME<ref name="docs_about" /> with GDM | license = Multiple<ref name="clearlinux-current-licenses"/> | preceded by = | succeeded by = | other articles = }}

'''Clear Linux OS'''{{efn|''Clear Linux'' was referred to in early documentation as ''Clear Linux{{tm|link=no}} OS'', later as ''Clear Linux* OS'' with a corresponding footnote acknowledging that the rights to "Linux" may be possessed by others.<ref name="2015---01.org-clearlinux"/><ref name="2015-05-20-clearlinux.org"/> ''Clear Linux OS'' has been referred to, in the literature, as ''Clear Linux™ OS'', ''Clear Linux* OS'', ''Clear Linux OS'', ''Clear Linux*'' and ''Clear Linux''.<ref name="docs.01.org-clearlinux-image-types"/>}} is a discontinued Linux distribution, once developed and maintained on Intel's 01.org open-source platform, and optimized for Intel's microprocessors with an emphasis on performance and security.<ref name="softpedia-workflows-tailored"/><ref name="make-tech-easier"/> Its optimizations were also effective on AMD systems.<ref name="techgage-2019-linux-performance"/> Clear Linux OS followed a rolling release model. Clear Linux OS was not intended to be a general-purpose Linux distribution; it was designed to be used by IT professionals for DevOps, AI application development, cloud computing, and containers.<ref name="kata-containers"/>

== History == In 2015, Intel introduced ''Clear Linux OS'' at OpenStack Summit 2015, Vancouver<ref name="OpenStack Vancouver 2015"/> initially, it was limited to cloud usage.<ref name="ionos-digital-guide"/><ref name="Distro-Watch"/> Intel began the ''Clear Containers'' project to address container security.<ref name="Arjan-intro-ClearContainers"/><ref name="2015-09-21-01.org/clearlinux"/><ref name="clearlinux-kata-containers"/> In 2015, originally, ''Clear Linux OS'' was deployed as a single monolithic unit.<ref name="infoworld-clearlinux-coreos"/> In May 2019, Clear Linux OS released a new Desktop Installer and started a Help Forum.<ref name="clearlinux-news-installer-v20"/><ref name="heise-2020-04-30-Ausprobiert-leistungsfaehige"/>

On July 18, 2025, Intel announced the end of support ''Clear Linux OS'', effective immediately.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-18 |title=All good things come to an end: Shutting down Clear Linux OS |url=https://community.clearlinux.org/t/all-good-things-come-to-an-end-shutting-down-clear-linux-os/10716 |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=Clear Linux OS Forum |language=en |archive-date=2025-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719112636/https://community.clearlinux.org/t/all-good-things-come-to-an-end-shutting-down-clear-linux-os/10716 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Intel Announces It's Shutting Down Clear Linux |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/Intel-Ends-Clear-Linux |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=www.phoronix.com |language=en |archive-date=2025-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720004028/https://www.phoronix.com/news/Intel-Ends-Clear-Linux |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Intel dreht eigene Linux-Distribution von einem Tag auf den anderen ab |url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000280310/intel-dreht-eigene-linux-distribution-von-einem-tag-auf-den-anderen-ab |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=DER STANDARD |language=de-AT}}</ref>

On March 1, 2026, it was reported that Intel had silently taken down the Clear Linux OS website. The archived assets relevant to the project remain available on GitHub.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Larabel |first1=Michael |title=Intel's Clear Linux Website No Longer Online - Phoronix |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/Clear-Linux-Org-No-More |website=Phoronix |access-date=3 March 2026}}</ref>

''Clear Linux OS'' is available via Microsoft Azure marketplace,<ref name="itsfoss-clear-linux"/><ref name="microsoft-azure-marketplace-clearlinux"/> and Amazon Web Services marketplace.<ref name="amazon-web-services" />

== Requirements == Clear Linux OS supports 2nd generation Intel Core (Sandy Bridge) CPUs and later, Xeon E3 and later, and Silvermont-based Intel Atom C2000 and E3800 processors.<ref name="clear-linux-system-requirements"/><ref name="Ubuntu User 1"/><ref name="itsfoss-clear-linux"/> An installed system is booted via the EFI boot loader or via systemd-boot.<ref name="heise-2020-04-30-Ausprobiert-leistungsfaehige"/> Minimum system requirements are SSE4 and CLMUL (carry-less multiplication), as well as UEFI.<ref name="heise-2020-04-30-Ausprobiert-leistungsfaehige"/>

== Features == Clear Linux OS uses reference stacks to install images that are optimized and tested together for specific use-cases.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stacks |url=https://clearlinux.org/sw/stacks |website=Clear Linux* Project |access-date=7 September 2021 |language=en |archive-date=30 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830114116/https://clearlinux.org/sw/stacks |url-status=dead }}</ref> It also utilizes a strict separation between User data and System config files, called ''stateless'', so that even a misconfigured system will still boot correctly and then perform a factory reset so it can be reconfigured.

=== Desktop === By default, Clear Linux OS ships with the GNOME desktop environment<ref name="docs_about" /> and most graphical effects are disabled. KDE Plasma and Xfce are also available for installation.<ref name="bundle-desktop-kde"/><ref>{{cite web |title=xfce4-desktop-bundle |url=https://clearlinux.org/software/bundle/xfce4-desktop |website=clearlinux.org |access-date=25 September 2021 |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613093125/https://clearlinux.org/software/bundle/xfce4-desktop |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Package management === Packages are usually installed and updated through bundles with the help of <code>swupd</code>,<ref>{{cite web |title=clearlinux/swupd-client |url=https://github.com/clearlinux/swupd-client |website=github.com |access-date=29 September 2021 |archive-date=29 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929142848/https://github.com/clearlinux/swupd-client |url-status=live }}</ref> which is described as an ''OS-level software update program'', using delta updates to minimize update size. Flatpak is also preinstalled and can be used to install and use packages.

Mixer is the tool for creating 3rd-party-bundles, which can then be installed using <code>swupd</code>.<ref>{{cite web |title=swupd 3rd-party |url=https://docs.01.org/clearlinux/latest/guides/clear/swupd-3rd-party.html |website=Documentation for Clear Linux* project |publisher=docs.01.org |access-date=7 September 2021 |archive-date=30 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830143408/https://docs.01.org/clearlinux/latest/guides/clear/swupd-3rd-party.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == <references> <ref name="OpenStack Vancouver 2015">{{cite web |title=OpenStack Vancouver 2015 |url=https://www.openstack.org/summit/vancouver-2015/ |website=OpenStack |access-date=7 September 2021 |language=en |archive-date=19 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119045219/https://www.openstack.org/summit/vancouver-2015/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="make-tech-easier">{{cite web |last1=Perkins |first1=John |title=Clear Linux Review: The McLaren of Linux Distros |url=https://www.maketecheasier.com/clear-linux-review/ |website=Make Tech Easier |date=2021-01-07 |access-date=2021-08-24 |archive-date=2021-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107170751/https://www.maketecheasier.com/clear-linux-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="kata-containers">{{cite web |title= Clear Linux* OS announces support for Kata Containers |url= https://clearlinux.org/news-blogs/clear-linux-os-announces-support-kata-containers |website= Clear Linux* Project |language= en |access-date= 2021-08-30 |archive-date= 2020-08-10 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200810080726/https://clearlinux.org/news-blogs/clear-linux-os-announces-support-kata-containers |url-status= live }}</ref> <ref name="softpedia-workflows-tailored">{{cite web |last1=Nestor |first1=Marius |title=Intel's Clear Linux OS Now Offers Workflows Tailored for Linux Developers |url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/intel-s-clear-linux-os-now-offers-workflows-tailored-for-linux-developers-526049.shtml |website=softpedia |date=May 15, 2019 |language=en |access-date=August 24, 2021 |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515182333/https://news.softpedia.com/news/intel-s-clear-linux-os-now-offers-workflows-tailored-for-linux-developers-526049.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="clearlinux-clarity-desktop">{{cite web |title= Clarity in the Desktop |url= https://clearlinux.org/news-blogs/clarity-desktop |date= 22 April 2016 |website= Clear Linux* Project |language= en |access-date= 30 August 2021 |archive-date= 30 December 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191230002910/https://clearlinux.org/news-blogs/clarity-desktop |url-status= live }}</ref> <ref name="Distro-Watch"> {{DistroWatch|clear|Clear Linux}} </ref> <ref name="ionos-digital-guide"> {{cite web |title= Clear Linux OS: the performant Linux distribution for the cloud |url= https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/clear-linux-os/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210816163116/https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/know-how/clear-linux-os/ |archive-date=2021-08-16 |date= |website= IONOS |language=en}} </ref> <ref name="extremetech-2019-clear-linux-os-update">{{cite web |last1=Hruska |first1=Joel |title=Intel Unveils Clear Linux OS Update at Open Source Summit |url=https://www.extremetech.com/computing/291429-intel-unveils-clear-linux-os-update-at-open-source-summit |website=ExtremeTech |access-date=13 June 2021 |date=May 15, 2019 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518122022/https://www.extremetech.com/computing/291429-intel-unveils-clear-linux-os-update-at-open-source-summit |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="techgage-2019-linux-performance">{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Rob |title=A Linux For Speed Hounds: A Look At Clear Linux Performance |url=https://techgage.com/article/a-look-at-clear-linux-performance/ |website=Techgage |access-date=13 June 2021 |date=October 24, 2019 |archive-date=28 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428101216/https://techgage.com/article/a-look-at-clear-linux-performance/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="docs.01.org-clearlinux-image-types">{{cite web |title= Clear Linux* OS image types |url= https://docs.01.org/clearlinux/latest/reference/image-types.html |website= Clear Linux* Project Docs |language= en |access-date= 2021-08-30 |archive-date= 2021-02-17 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210217135849/https://docs.01.org/clearlinux/latest/reference/image-types.html |url-status= dead }}</ref> <ref name="linuxadictos-Xfce-to-GNOME">{{cite web |title=Clear Linux: the Linux distribution developed by Intel |url=https://www.linuxadictos.com/en/clear-linux-la-distribucion-de-linux-desarrollada-por-intel.html |website=Linux Adictos |access-date=13 June 2021 |language=en |date=2018-09-08 |archive-date=2021-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613105236/https://www.linuxadictos.com/en/clear-linux-la-distribucion-de-linux-desarrollada-por-intel.html |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="clearlinux-current-licenses">{{cite web |title= List of licenses used in Clear Linux OS |url= https://download.clearlinux.org/current/licenses |website= Clear Linux* Project |language= en |access-date= 2021-08-30 |archive-date= 2017-07-04 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170704010100/https://download.clearlinux.org/current/licenses |url-status= live }}</ref> <ref name="Arjan-intro-ClearContainers">{{cite web |last1=Ven |first1=Arjan van de Ven |title=An introduction to Clear Containers |url=https://lwn.net/Articles/644675/ |website=LWN.net |access-date=13 June 2021 |date=May 18, 2015 |archive-date=20 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520010011/https://lwn.net/Articles/644675/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="2015-09-21-01.org/clearlinux"> {{cite web |title=Home |url=https://01.org/clearlinux |website=Clear Linux* Project |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921141516/https://01.org/clearlinux |archive-date=21 September 2015}} </ref> <ref name="clearlinux-kata-containers">{{cite web |title=Intel® Clear Containers: Now part of Kata Containers |url=https://clearlinux.org/news-blogs/intel-clear-containers-now-part-kata-containers |website=Clear Linux* Project |access-date=31 August 2021 |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923025159/https://clearlinux.org/news-blogs/intel-clear-containers-now-part-kata-containers |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="infoworld-clearlinux-coreos">{{cite news |last1=Yegulalp |first1=Serdar |title=Intel takes on CoreOS with its own container-based Linux |url=https://www.infoworld.com/article/2925038/intel-takes-on-coreos-with-its-own-container-based-linux.html |access-date=13 June 2021 |date=2015-05-21 |work=InfoWorld |language=en |archive-date=2021-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613093123/https://www.infoworld.com/article/2925038/intel-takes-on-coreos-with-its-own-container-based-linux.html |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="clearlinux-releases">{{cite web |title= Index of /releases/ |url= https://cdn.download.clearlinux.org/releases/ |website= Clear Linux Project |language= en |archive-date= 2025-08-06 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250806080042/https://cdn.download.clearlinux.org/releases/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> <ref name="docs_about"> {{cite web |title= What is Clear Linux OS? |url= https://docs.01.org/clearlinux/latest/about.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210628125730/https://docs.01.org/clearlinux/latest/about.html |archive-date=2021-06-28 |website= Clear Linux* Project Docs|language=en}} </ref> <ref name="2015---01.org-clearlinux"> {{cite web |title=Clear Linux* Project for Intel Architecture |url=https://01.org/clearlinux |website=01.org |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-date=23 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323081923/https://01.org/clearlinux }} </ref> <ref name="2015-05-20-clearlinux.org"> {{cite web |title=Home |url=https://clearlinux.org/ |website=Clear Linux Project |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-date=20 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520233657/https://clearlinux.org/ }} </ref> <ref name="Ubuntu User 1"> {{cite web |last1=Thommes |first1=Ferdinand |title=Clear Sighted: Clear Linux: A cloud distro for Intel processors Page 1 |url=https://www.ubuntu-user.com/Magazine/Archive/2016/29/Clear-Linux-A-cloud-distro-for-Intel-processors |website=Ubuntu User |publisher= |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830091416/https://www.ubuntu-user.com/Magazine/Archive/2016/29/Clear-Linux-A-cloud-distro-for-Intel-processors |archive-date=30 August 2021 |date=2016 }} </ref> <ref name="itsfoss-clear-linux"> {{cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Ambarish |title=An Overview of Clear Linux, its Features and Installation Procedure |url=https://itsfoss.com/clear-linux/ |website=it's foss |date=7 October 2017 |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831125812/https://itsfoss.com/clear-linux/ |archive-date=31 August 2021 }} </ref> <ref name="microsoft-azure-marketplace-clearlinux">{{cite web |title= Announcing the availability of Clear Linux* OS in Azure Marketplace |url= https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-the-availability-of-clear-linux-os-in-azure-marketplace/ |website= Microsoft Azure |date= 18 January 2017 |language= en |access-date= 31 August 2021 |archive-date= 26 January 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170126001013/https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-the-availability-of-clear-linux-os-in-azure-marketplace/ |url-status= live }}</ref> <ref name="clearlinux-news-installer-v20">{{cite web |title= Clear Linux Installer v2.0 |url= https://clearlinux.org/news-blogs/clear-linux-installer-v20 |website= Clear Linux* Project: Blogs & News |language= en |access-date= 2021-08-30 |archive-date= 2021-08-30 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210830114117/https://clearlinux.org/news-blogs/clear-linux-installer-v20 |url-status= live }}</ref> <ref name="clearlinux-news-highlights-5-auto-updating">{{cite web |title= Clear Linux Highlights #5 |url= https://clearlinux.org/news-blogs/clear-linux-highlights-5 |website= Clear Linux* Project: Blogs & News |date= 2016-11-28 |language= en |access-date= 2021-08-31 |archive-date= 2021-08-31 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210831045524/https://clearlinux.org/news-blogs/clear-linux-highlights-5 |url-status= live }}</ref> <ref name="heise-2020-04-30-Ausprobiert-leistungsfaehige">{{cite web |last1= Wolski |first1= David |trans-title= Tried: Clear Linux, Intel's powerful Linux distribution |title= Ausprobiert: Clear Linux, Intels leistungsfähige Linux-Distribution |url= https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Ausprobiert-Clear-Linux-Intels-leistungsfaehige-Linux-Distribution-4712058.html |website= heise online |date= 2020-04-30 |language= de |access-date= 2021-08-31 |archive-date= 2020-04-30 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200430061330/https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Ausprobiert-Clear-Linux-Intels-leistungsfaehige-Linux-Distribution-4712058.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

<ref name="bundle-desktop-kde">{{cite web |title=KDE Plasma 5 bundle |url=https://clearlinux.org/software/bundle/desktop-kde |website=clearlinux.org |access-date=25 September 2021 |archive-date=25 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925112153/https://clearlinux.org/software/bundle/desktop-kde |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="amazon-web-services">{{cite web |title=AWS Marketplace: Clear Linux OS |url=https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-etajttzzjzs24 |website=aws.amazon.com |access-date=7 January 2023 |archive-date=6 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706005909/https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-etajttzzjzs24 |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref name="clear-linux-system-requirements">{{cite web |title=Recommended minimum system requirements - Documentation for Clear Linux* project |url=https://clearlinux.github.io/clear-linux-documentation/reference/system-requirements.html#system-requirements |website=clearlinux.github.io |access-date=7 January 2023 |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126162444/https://clearlinux.github.io/clear-linux-documentation/reference/system-requirements.html#system-requirements |url-status=live }}</ref> </references>

== Further reading == * {{cite book |arxiv=2007.16123 |doi=10.1109/ICSME46990.2020.00072|chapter=On Package Freshness in Linux Distributions|title=2020 IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance and Evolution (ICSME)|year=2020|last1=Legay|first1=Damien|last2=Decan|first2=Alexandre|last3=Mens|first3=Tom|pages=682–686|isbn=978-1-7281-5619-4|s2cid=220920020}}

== External links == * {{Official website}} * {{github|clearlinux-pkgs}} * {{DistroWatch|clear|Clear Linux}}

Category:Enterprise Linux distributions Category:Independent Linux distributions Category:Linux distributions Category:Rolling release Linux distributions Category:X86-64 Linux distributions Category:Discontinued Linux distributions