Distrobox: Use any Linux distribution inside your terminal (github.com)

Article summary

Distrobox is a tool that allows users to run any Linux distribution inside their terminal, providing a mutable environment on an immutable OS and enabling the use of different distributions for specific tasks. It uses podman, docker, or lilipod to create containers that are tightly integrated with the host system, allowing for shared access to the user's home directory, external storage, and graphical apps. Distrobox aims to bring any distro userland to any other distro supporting podman, docker, or lilipod, and is implemented as a single statically-linked Go binary. The tool has various use cases, including testing, development, and gaming.

Main themes

• Linux containerization
• Distrobox use cases
• Immutable OS
• Toolbox comparison
• LXD and systemd-nspawn alternatives
• Home directory integration
• GUI application support
• Development and testing environments

What commenters say

• Distrobox is useful for testing software in different environments and can be a game changer for immutable distros.
• The tool is particularly useful for running Arch Linux on top of other distributions, providing access to the Arch User Repository.
• Some users prefer Distrobox over other containerization tools like Toolbox due to its ability to run separate HOMEs for each instance.
• Distrobox is not meant for isolation, but rather for providing a mutable environment on an immutable OS.
• The tool has similarities with other containerization solutions like LXD, but has a different default configuration and ease of use.
• Distrobox is not the only solution for running multiple distributions, and other tools like LXD and systemd-nspawn can also be used.
• The integration of the home directory with the container is a key feature of Distrobox, but it is not unique to this tool.
• Some users find Distrobox to be a convenient solution for running GUI applications from other distributions.