This page summarizes Gentoo releases and milestones for 2026.
Last Updated: March 21, 2026
Gentoo follows a continuous rolling release model with regular updates:
| Component | Update Frequency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stage3 Snapshots | Weekly | Autobuilds updated every 7 days for all architectures |
| Portage Tree | Continuous | Ebuild updates as packages are added/updated |
| Installation Media | Frequent | Minimal LiveCDs updated with latest kernel and tools |
| Documentation | Continuous | Wiki and handbook updated by community editors |
| Type | Init System | Architectures | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base/OpenRC | OpenRC | All | Command-line only; default for servers and minimal installs |
| Base/systemd | systemd | AMD64, X86, ARM64 | Command-line only; for systemd-requiring environments |
| Desktop | OpenRC/systemd | AMD64 | Pre-configured with video/audio USE flags; includes pre-built LLVM and Rust |
| No-multilib | OpenRC/systemd | AMD64 | 64-bit only; excludes 32-bit libraries |
| Hardened | OpenRC | AMD64, X86 | Security-hardened with PaX, SSP, and hardening flags |
| Experimental | Various | AMD64 | LLVM and/or Musl-based; for advanced users |
| Architecture | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AMD64 | ✅ Recommended | 64-bit x86 (Intel/AMD, post-2015); primary focus |
| X86 | ✅ Stable | 32-bit x86 (legacy systems) |
| ARM | ✅ Stable | 32-bit ARM (ARMv7+) |
| ARM64 | ✅ Stable | 64-bit ARM (AArch64); growing adoption |
| PPC | ✅ Stable | 32-bit PowerPC |
| PPC64 | ✅ Stable | 64-bit PowerPC (big-endian) |
| PPC64 LE | ✅ Stable | 64-bit PowerPC (little-endian) |
| SPARC | ✅ Stable | SPARC architecture |
| MIPS | ⚠️ Experimental | MIPS architecture |
| HPPA | ⚠️ Experimental | HP PA-RISC |
| Alpha | ⚠️ Experimental | DEC Alpha |
| RISC-V | ✅ Growing | RISC-V architecture; increasing community interest |
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Model | Rolling release with weekly stage3 snapshots |
| Latest Stage3 | Weekly autobuilds (updated every 7 days) |
| Package Manager | Portage with ebuild system (~20,000 packages) |
| Init Systems | OpenRC (default), systemd (alternative stage3) |
| Supported Architectures | 11 architectures (AMD64 recommended) |
| Installation Method | Stage3 tarballs (stage1/stage2 in FAQ) |
| Documentation | Gentoo Wiki Handbook (actively maintained) |
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 (documentation); various (packages) |
| Governance | Gentoo Foundation, Inc. + Förderverein Gentoo e.V. |
| Community | Forums, IRC (Libera.Chat), mailing lists, Discord, Reddit |
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Weekly | Stage3 snapshot builds for all architectures |
| Continuous | Portage tree updates with new ebuilds |
| As Needed | Security updates and critical bug fixes |
| Monthly | Installation media refreshes |
| Organization | Role |
|---|---|
| Gentoo Foundation, Inc. | US 501©(6) non-profit; holds assets and trademarks |
| Förderverein Gentoo e.V. | German registered association; supports EU activities |
| Team | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Release Engineering | Weekly stage snapshots, installation media, Catalyst |
| Security Team | GLSA advisories, vulnerability coordination |
| Infrastructure | Servers, mirrors, distfiles, services |
| Documentation | Wiki, handbook, guides, translations |
| Quality Assurance | Package testing, stability keywords |
| DevRel | Developer relations, community support |
| Channel | Platform |
|---|---|
| Forums | forums.gentoo.org |
| IRC | Libera.Chat (#gentoo, #gentoo-dev, #gentoo-docs) |
| Mailing Lists | lists.gentoo.org |
| Wiki | wiki.gentoo.org |
| Discord | Gentoo Discord Server |
| r/gentoo |