Light, Intentional, Yours, Always.

A clean, fast, Arch-based Linux distribution for those who build with purpose, not noise.

Arch-Based, Rolling Release

Liya Linux is built directly on top of Arch Linux, inheriting its powerful rolling-release model. Users gain access to the latest packages, updates, and the Arch User Repository (AUR) — all while skipping the complex manual installation process. With Liya, you get Arch's flexibility with none of its initial friction. 

Graphical Installer with Zero Hassle

Forget command-line installation. Liya ships with the user-friendly Calamares installer, allowing you to set up your system through a clean, graphical interface. It guides you through timezone, partitioning, encryption, and user setup in minutes — making it ideal for beginners and time-conscious users alike.

Low Resource, High Efficiency

Optimized for systems from 2010–2020, Liya runs smoothly on machines with just 4 GB of RAM. At idle, it typically consumes around 600 MB of memory. Whether you're on an old laptop or a desktop, Liya remains responsive, focused, and ready to work.

Essential Tools, No Bloat

Liya includes only what matters: Brave for browsing, OnlyOffice for documents, Timeshift for backup, and a lean set of system tools. Every included app is selected for purpose — not marketing. There’s no telemetry, no junk, and no distractions.

Customizable by You

Want a different desktop environment? Need a tailored setup? Liya offers custom ISO builds on request, or you can use the upcoming liso script to generate your own. Whether you're a minimalist or a power user, Liya gives you full control over your system — by design.

Secure by Design, Private by Default

Liya respects your privacy. It includes no telemetry, no background data sync, and no hidden trackers. Optional full-disk encryption is available during installation, and the system runs with minimal services to reduce attack surfaces. Your system belongs to you — not to corporations or analytics scripts.

Screenshots & Showcase

A glimpse into Liya’s clarity.
No clutter, no distractions — just a system that stays silent and obeys. 

What Users Say

Liya doesn’t advertise. It earns respect.
Here’s what early adopters and minimalists have to say.

Liya is the first distro that didn’t make me uninstall it after two days. It’s Arch, but sane. Fast, clean, and honest

Ayan M.
Indie Dev, India

I revived a 2012 ThinkPad with Liya. Boots under 15 seconds and idles at 500MB. I didn’t expect this much polish from a quiet distro

Derek W.
SysAdmin, UK

Liya taught me more about Linux in one week than Ubuntu did in a year. Nothing is hidden, everything is yours

Farah K.
CS Student, Malaysia

It feels like using a sharpened tool instead of a gadget. I don’t want to go back to bloated desktops anymore.

Jamil R.
Writer, Jordan

Every time I boot Liya, I remember what computing used to feel like: focused, quiet, mine.

Rayen B.
Designer, Tunisia

After trying many distros on my old hardware, Liya Linux feels just right. It’s minimal, efficient, and gives me exactly what I need — one app per task, like Celuloid for videos and Pix for images. The theme is comfortable, the icons are clean, and the overall look is great without sacrificing usability. I feel at home using Liya.

Anonymous
From Distrowatch

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to what matters — no fluff, no distractions. Everything you need to know about installing, using, and customizing Liya Linux.

Does it have a software center or app store? 

Yes. Cinnamon Edition comes with a graphical package manager (Pamac) for easy software installation.

Is Liya suitable for beginners? 

Liya is beginner-friendly for users willing to learn. It offers a simpler setup than Arch, but assumes basic comfort with Linux concepts.

How do I update the system?

Please update the system from updates tab in Pamac (Add/Remove Software)

What is Liya Linux?

Liya Linux is a lightweight, Arch-based distribution with a preconfigured desktop, graphical installer, and essential apps — designed for performance, simplicity, and user control.

Where can I get help or support?

You can visit the official forum, join the community channels, or contact the maintainers through the website or GitLab.

Who should use Liya?

Liya is ideal for users who want a clean Arch experience without the manual setup. It's for developers, minimalists, students, or anyone seeking performance and clarity on mid-range hardware

How is Liya different from Arch or Manjaro?

Unlike Arch, Liya comes with a graphical installer and pre-set desktop. Unlike Manjaro, it follows Arch's repositories directly with no delay or re-packaging. Liya is closer to pure Arch, but easier to install.

What are the system requirements? 

Recommended:

  • 64-bit CPU (2GHz dual-core or better)

  • 4 GB RAM

  • 15 GB disk space

  • 4 GB USB stick or DVD for installation

Is Liya good for old laptops?

Liya is ideal for users who want a clean Arch experience without the manual setup. It's for developers, minimalists, students, or anyone seeking performance and clarity on mid-range hardware

🧭 Liya Is Not for Everyone

Liya doesn’t try to please everyone — and that’s intentional. This distribution isn’t for people who want an operating system to do everything for them. It’s not for those who fear the terminal, demand instant convenience, or rely on flashy, bloated software stacks.
Liya is for those who:
 • Prefer clarity over comfort
 • Value speed, silence, and minimalism
• Are willing to learn, configure, and grow
• See their OS as a tool — not a toy
• Want a system that reflects discipline, not distraction

If you want full control without starting from scratch…
If you believe your OS should work with you, not decide for you…
If you’ve outgrown hand-holding and want something that stays out of your way… Then Liya was built for you. But if you want automation over understanding, or luxury over logic —
Liya will probably frustrate you. And that’s okay. We’re not for everyone.
We’re for the ones who choose their path — and walk it clean.

Ready To Switch?

What you install shapes how you think. Start with silence.

Download (direct) Torrent

Installation Instructions

1. Visit rufus.ie and download Rufus.

2. Insert your USB drive into your PC and open Rufus as Administrator by right-clicking and selecting "Run as administrator."

3. Ensure that the correct USB device is selected (all data will be wiped).

4. Choose the Liya ISO image, then click "Start" and select DD mode (not ISO mode).

5. Wait for the ISO image to be written to the USB drive.

6. Open Disk Manager and create a partition for Liya, ensuring it is at least 50GB in size.

7. Shut down your PC and enter the BIOS (usually done by pressing keys like Esc, F12, or Delete during startup)

.8. In the BIOS, select to boot from USB and ensure Secure Boot is disabled.

9. At the SYSLINUX or GRUB screen, select your driver type carefully. If incorrect, shut down and retry with the correct drivers.

10. Upon booting, find the "Install System" icon on the desktop to proceed with the installation. During partitioning, select the newly created partition for Liya.

Meet The Developer

Liya Linux was born out of hands-on experience and necessity. After spending years exploring various Linux distributions — particularly on aging hardware — the developer behind Liya found that most systems were either too bloated, too unstable, or too detached from real user needs. Arch Linux stood out for its flexibility and control, but many Arch-based distributions came with compromises. X Distro, despite its popularity, frequently caused issues with AUR compatibility and reliability. The ideal solution would be something faster, lighter, and cleaner — without sacrificing usability or design. This pursuit led to the creation of a new distribution, initially called Anita, which launched in January 2022 with KDE Plasma. It aimed to deliver a preconfigured, bloat-free, and aesthetic desktop experience right out of the box. Due to naming complications and other early roadblocks, the project was briefly paused — but not abandoned. It was later revived as Liya, with a renewed focus on performance, simplicity, and clarity. Today, Liya Linux offers Cinnamon edition, staying true to its core mission: to provide a minimal, reliable, and user-friendly Arch experience for those who prefer quiet power over unnecessary features.

Thank You for Visiting

We appreciate your time, your curiosity, and your intention. Liya Linux was built for those who seek clarity over clutter, purpose over popularity.
Whether you choose to download, contribute, or simply explore — your presence here matters. Stay minimal. Stay intentional. Stay true.