Architecture
The Comparison
Traditional Distro
- Forked kernel
- Patched desktop environment
- Custom repo servers
- Branding assets everywhere
- System-wide hooks
- Complex installer (20+ questions)
Result: Massive maintenance, inevitable bugs.
Tebian
- Stock Debian kernel
- Pure upstream packages
- Uses official Debian repos
- Zero branding in system files
- Everything in
~/Tebian/ - One question: Desktop? Y/n
Result: Zero maintenance, rock solid stability.
The Stack
Each layer removes a level of complexity. We don't reinvent the wheel; we just give you the steering wheel.
The 3-Package Math
A functional desktop doesn't require thousands of packages. Tebian's core is built on three high-performance C binaries:
Total: ~16MB installed. Zero background bloat. Zero Python/JS overhead.
The One Folder Rule
Tebian follows a strict rule: Do not touch the base system.
Every configuration, every script, and every Tebian-specific asset lives in ~/Tebian/ (or symlinked from it). If you delete that folder, you are back to a pure, stock Debian system instantly. No traces. No scars.
Ricing without Killing
On Arch or Void, a bad rice can brick your system. On Tebian, your rices are isolated to user-space. Experiment, break things, and push the limits—the Debian foundation underneath remains untouchable. If you mess up, just revert the folder.