CachyOS is now prioritizing Wayland, the next-generation display server protocol, making it the default experience for new users. This move signals a growing shift within the Linux community away from the older X11 windowing system, offering potentially smoother performance and improved security.
CachyOS Puts Wayland First in Latest Release
The change, spotted by Linuxiac, impacts both the live ISO—the bootable environment you test before installing—and the installer itself. CachyOS isn’t entirely abandoning X11, but Wayland is now front and center.
What’s the difference between Wayland and X11? X11 is an older display server protocol that’s been the standard for decades. Wayland is a more modern alternative designed to address some of X11’s limitations, like security vulnerabilities and performance bottlenecks.
The updated installer now utilizes Plasma Login Manager and skips installing Xorg dependencies for those choosing Wayland, streamlining the setup process. It also includes both stable and Long-Term Support (LTS) kernels for broader hardware compatibility.
A Smoother Installation Experience
The CachyOS team has also focused on optimizing the installation process. The new installer performs an early architecture check, potentially saving up to one gigabyte of download bandwidth. Limine is now the default bootloader, offering a modern alternative to older options.
This move follows a trend within the Linux world. Other distributions, like Budgie and GNOME 50, have also recently embraced Wayland as their default display server. While users can still typically install X11 manually, the direction of travel is clear.
For those interested in exploring the changes, the full CachyOS January 2026 release notes are available online. The new ISO can be downloaded from the CachyOS download page.
