Kagi, known for its paid and privacy-oriented search engine, is actively working on porting its Orion web browser to Linux. Recent development screenshots reveal that the Linux version will utilize GTK4/libadwaita for its graphical user interface, a sensible decision given GTK4’s widespread adoption and focus on consistency across Linux distributions. The inclusion of libadwaita should also aid Kagi developers in reproducing features that exist in its macOS and iPadOS versions.
Users familiar with Orion on Apple’s platforms may find the Linux GUI largely similar, although the number of icons shown in the toolbar varies. This difference could result from the ongoing development phase or the customization choices made by the developer who shared the image. The current build indicates that many of Orion‘s features, such as per-site customizations and focus mode, are either planned or already in progress for the initial Linux release.
As for a release date, it seems users will need to wait some time, but those interested can sign up for email notifications regarding the availability of the Linux version. While Kagi has started to open-source some components of Orion, the entire browser remains proprietary and certain features may require a paid subscription to Kagi’s search engine.
There is ongoing discussion within the Linux community about how the initial preview builds should be distributed. Many users advocate for the browser to be made available directly on Flathub rather than as a DEB package.
For updates and further information regarding the Orion web browser, you can visit their landing page or check the FAQ. Kagi has also started open-sourcing components used in the browser.