Alpine Linux 3.22 is now officially released, as first detailed in a May 30 post by Linux-focused tech blog linuxiac. This latest release of the security-centric and lightweight Linux distribution brings sweeping enhancements to system architecture, desktop environment compatibility, and toolchain packages.
A key highlight of version 3.22 is the continued advancement of the /usr-merge initiative, aimed at simplifying the traditional Linux file system hierarchy by consolidating system binaries and libraries into the /usr directory. This change enhances management efficiency and aligns Alpine with modern Linux standards, easing compatibility and maintainability.
Another pivotal update is the introduction of apk-tools v3, set to become default in Alpine 3.23. While Alpine 3.22 ships with apk-tools v2.14, users can preview v3 by enabling the test repository and installing the apk-tools3 package. This new version will feature an improved package format and a more efficient indexing mechanism for faster and more reliable package management.
From a desktop perspective, Alpine 3.22 marks a full transition to Wayland, discontinuing support for KDE Plasma’s X11 session. Users still running the deprecated plasma-workspace-x11 package are advised to remove it to avoid conflicts. The graphical stack now features Plasma 6.3.5 and GNOME 48, with adwaita-fonts set as the new GTK application default. Customization remains available via alternative fonts and gsettings.
Under the hood, Alpine 3.22 upgrades a host of core packages:
In terms of networking, the BIRD routing daemon now uses a multi-threaded v3 architecture. Although compatible with v2 configurations, the update introduces changes to memory consumption and log behavior, possibly impacting automation. Users preferring stability can revert to the bird2 package.
This version also purges obsolete or unmaintained packages:
Ruby-grpc bindings have been removed
LXD has been demoted to the test repo with Incus as a recommended alternative
Qt 5 libraries are deprecated in favor of Qt 6
Other removed components include Meilisearch, Botan 2, and under-maintained packages
The secure boot system also sees a key change: secureboot-hook now defaults to using systemd-efistub over gummiboot-efistub. Users are encouraged to review their secureboot.conf settings to ensure seamless upgrades.
With this release, Alpine continues to evolve as a powerful and minimalist option for developers, system administrators, and users seeking robust performance with a focus on security and efficiency. For those interested in upcoming changes like the full apk-tools v3 transition and deeper /usr-merge integration, Alpine 3.23 will be a critical follow-up.
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