Alpine Linux 3.23 Adopts /usr-Merged File System Layout

TL;DR

Alpine Linux 3.23 will transition to a /usr-merged file system layout, centralizing executables and libraries to reduce maintenance and improve containerization.

Key Points

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Alpine Linux will transition to a /usr-merged file system layout starting with version 3.23, where /lib, /bin, and /sbin will become symbolic links to their /usr counterparts.

The /usr-merged layout centralizes executables and libraries, which reduces packaging maintenance and enhances containerization by separating user-owned data from distribution-provided data.

Existing users can upgrade to version 3.23 without being forced to adopt the /usr-merge, but future releases will require it, and non-merged systems will eventually become unsupported.

The /usr-merged setup aligns with the standard in most of the Linux ecosystem, potentially reducing maintenance burdens as many maintainers may not support non-/usr-merged filesystems.

Detailed migration instructions are provided for users to transition their systems to the /usr-merged layout, ensuring better support and safety in future releases.

Key Numbers

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3.23

Alpine Linux will transition to a /usr-merged file system layout starting with a specific version.

Stakeholder Relationships

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People

Key entities and stakeholders, categorized for clarity: people, organizations, tools, events, regulatory bodies, and industries.

Alpine Linux Technical Steering Committee

Responsible for deciding the transition to a /usr-merged file system layout in Alpine Linux.

Organizations

Key entities and stakeholders, categorized for clarity: people, organizations, tools, events, regulatory bodies, and industries.

Alpine Linux Linux Distribution

The organization implementing the transition to a /usr-merged file system layout starting with version 3.23.

Tools

Key entities and stakeholders, categorized for clarity: people, organizations, tools, events, regulatory bodies, and industries.

mkinitfs Tool

Used to ensure necessary modules to mount /usr are present in the initramfs during the transition to a /usr-merged file system.

Events

Key entities and stakeholders, categorized for clarity: people, organizations, tools, events, regulatory bodies, and industries.

Announcement of /usr-merge in Alpine Linux 3.23 Implementation Event

Marks the beginning of the transition to a /usr-merged file system layout in Alpine Linux.

Future Obligatory /usr-merge Future Event

The /usr-merge will become obligatory in future releases, possibly starting with Alpine Linux 3.26 or 3.27.

End of Support for Non-Merged Systems Support Event

Non-/usr-merged systems will be considered unsupported once Alpine Linux 3.22 reaches its end of life.

Industries

Key entities and stakeholders, categorized for clarity: people, organizations, tools, events, regulatory bodies, and industries.

Cloud Computing Industry

Impacted by the transition due to the need for streamlined maintenance and improved containerization.

Software Development Industry

Affected by the transition as it impacts how applications are managed and deployed on Alpine Linux.

Telecommunications Industry

Uses Linux-based systems for network management, which are impacted by the transition to a /usr-merged file system.

Timeline of Events

Timeline of key events and milestones.

2025-10-08 Preparation for /usr-merge completed

Preparations for the /usr-merge have been ongoing for months and are now completed, allowing new edge installations to be /usr-merged.

2025-10-08 Release of Alpine Linux 3.23

This version marks the start of the /usr-merged file system layout for new installations. Users can upgrade from older releases to 3.23 without being forced to merge their systems.

Future End-of-Support for Alpine Linux 3.22

Once version 3.22 reaches its end of life, non-/usr-merged systems will be officially unsupported.

Future Release (Possibly 3.26 or 3.27) /usr-merge becomes obligatory

The /usr-merge will become obligatory for all users, and non-merged installations will break when attempting to upgrade if they are not merged.

Long-form summary

Alpine Linux is making a significant shift to a /usr-merged file system layout starting with version 3.23. This change involves converting directories like /lib, /bin, and /sbin into symbolic links pointing to their counterparts under /usr. The main benefit of this transition is a reduction in packaging maintenance, as it resolves conflicts between busybox symlinks and other applications over installation locations. This move aligns Alpine Linux with the broader Linux ecosystem, potentially easing the maintenance load for the development team. It also enhances containerization by centralizing distribution-provided data under /usr, simplifying the separation of user-owned and distribution-provided data.

Existing users are encouraged, but not required, to transition to a /usr-merged system with the release of version 3.23. Upgrades from older versions can proceed without an immediate merge. However, once version 3.22 reaches its end of life, support for non-merged systems will cease. Future releases, possibly starting with version 3.26 or 3.27, will mandate the /usr-merged layout, and non-merged systems will encounter upgrade issues.

The transition maintains backward compatibility through symbolic links, ensuring existing paths remain functional. Users who have manually installed binaries in /lib, /bin, or /sbin, or those with separate / and /usr partitions, may need to adjust. Detailed migration instructions are available to aid users in a smooth transition. The Alpine Linux team highlights that the /usr-merged system will offer better support and increased safety in the future.