Peppermint OS, the lightweight Debian- and Devuan-based Linux distribution built around the XFCE desktop, has begun testing an updated Debian edition that replaces the X.Org Server with XLibre while keeping the X11 display protocol.
According to the project, the change is planned for upcoming Peppermint OS ISO refreshes, with XLibre replacing X.Org for graphical rendering, window drawing, and input devices like keyboards and mice. The devs say that so far, testing has not uncovered significant compatibility issues.
Importantly, the move to XLibre does not signal a transition to Wayland. Peppermint OS says it has no immediate plans to move away from X11 for the foreseeable future. The project also points to XFCE’s development direction, which currently aims to support both X11 and Wayland rather than abandoning one in favor of the other.
Users interested in trying the changes can download the latest 64-bit Debian flagship nightly image. Alongside the switch to XLibre, the ISO includes refreshed core packages and a newer Linux kernel. Peppermint has not specified the exact kernel version in its announcement.
Despite the changes underneath, users should not expect any visible difference on the desktop. Peppermint says the interface and general experience remain identical to the current stable release.
Apart from that, there is a notable change in how the Debian edition is built. This is the project’s first Debian-based ISO created without Debian’s traditional live-build tooling.
Peppermint OS has moved its build system to start directly from mmdebstrap rather than debootstrap, following the same architecture developed for its Devuan edition. The team warns the new build process may still have minor issues and asks testers to report any problems.
The Devuan-based Peppermint OS edition is also moving to XLibre. That image is currently receiving a few final fixes and will be made available for community testing separately once it is ready.
For more details, see the announcement.
