Bluefin
The next generation cloud-native Linux workstation, designed for reliability, performance, and sustainability.
See projectbluefin.io | Documentation | GitHub
Overview
Bluefin is an immutable desktop Linux distribution built on Fedora Silverblue with a GNOME desktop designed specifically for developers. It bridges the gap between consumer usability and enterprise-grade infrastructure practices through atomic updates and cloud-native development patterns.
The system separates the operating system from the developer environment - tooling is containerized, runs in virtual machines, or is scoped to the user’s home directory rather than installed on the host system.
Features
- Immutable OS: Image-based, automatic system updates ensure stability and reliability
- Developer Mode (bluefin-dx): Enhanced variant with Visual Studio Code, Docker, DevPod, Podman Desktop, and performance tooling pre-configured
- DevContainers: First-class support for reproducible development environments using devcontainer.json specifications
- Container Runtime: Podman as default system container runtime with full podman tooling suite
- GitOps Workflow: Proper testing branches and deployment pipeline (2026+)
- Progressive Updates: Moves away from legacy technologies to provide best possible developer experience
- Multiple Editions: Standard Bluefin, bluefin-dx (developer), and NVIDIA-specific builds
Superpowers
Bluefin is designed for serious developers who want a reliable, cloud-native workstation without the maintenance burden. The immutable nature means your system stays consistent and reproducible - updates are atomic and can be rolled back if needed.
The containerized development workflow translates directly to modern cloud infrastructure deployment patterns. Your local devcontainer setup mirrors production container deployments, reducing “works on my machine” issues.
For teams, the GitOps approach and image-based updates mean everyone can run the same tested OS image, ensuring consistency across development environments. The separation of OS and tooling means developers can customize their environments without breaking the base system.
Ideal for:
- Developers working with containerized applications
- Teams requiring consistent development environments
- Cloud-native application development
- Anyone wanting a stable, low-maintenance Linux workstation
Benefits:
- Reduced system maintenance and troubleshooting
- Automatic, atomic updates with rollback capability
- Development environment portability via devcontainers
- Enterprise-grade reliability with consumer-friendly UX
- Native integration with modern cloud development tools
System Requirements
Minimum Specifications:
- CPU: 64-bit Intel or AMD processor
- RAM: 16 GB (officially recommended), though can run on 8 GB
- Storage: 128 GB minimum
- GPU: Any modern Intel/AMD GPU (integrated graphics supported)
- Firmware: UEFI required (must be activated)
Disk Space Usage:
- Standard Bluefin: 11 GB
- Bluefin-dx (developer mode): 19 GB
Platform Support
x86_64 (Intel/AMD):
- Full support on modern Intel and AMD systems
- Works on laptops with integrated graphics (no dedicated GPU needed)
- NVIDIA-specific builds available for systems with NVIDIA GPUs
ARM64 (Raspberry Pi & others):
- ARM support available through Bluefin LTS (alpha stage)
- Built on CentOS Stream 10 for Long Term Support
- Currently in testing, suitable for ARM devices like Raspberry Pi
- Standard Fedora-based ARM images coming later
Not Supported:
- WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) - use standard Fedora WSL or run in VM
- Legacy BIOS systems (UEFI required)
- 32-bit systems
Developer Tools
The bluefin-dx image includes:
- Visual Studio Code with DevContainers extension
- DevPod: Open-source tool for reproducible developer environments (similar to GitHub Codespaces)
- Podman Desktop: Graphical container management
- Homebrew: Package manager for user-space tools
- Devbox with Fleek: Nix-based development environment manager
- Docker: Container platform integration
- Performance tooling: Various profiling and optimization tools
Roadmap (2026)
- Fedora 43/44 Base: Bluefin GTS merges into mainline Bluefin (March 1, 2026), moving to F43 then F44 base
- GitOps Workflow: Implementation of proper testing branches for more robust updates
- Architectural Cleanup: Focus on sustainability and maintenance improvements
- Feature Complete: Most planned features already implemented, focus shifting to polish and stability
Pricing
Free and open-source (MIT License)
Sources
- Bluefin | The Next Generation Linux Workstation
- Project Bluefin: A Linux Desktop for Serious Developers - The New Stack
- Welcome to Bluefin | Bluefin Documentation
- GitHub - ublue-os/bluefin
- Developer Mode | Bluefin
- Bluefin, a Next-Gen Linux Workstation for Containerized Apps - The New Stack
- Bluefin 2025 Wrap-up: State of the Raptor
- Bluefin LTS (Alpha) for ARM - Universal Blue
- Introduction to Bluefin LTS
- Taking a Spin on Bluefin’s Immutable Linux - FOSS Force
- Installation | Bluefin