The openSUSE project has launched the beta version of openSUSE Leap 16, inviting public testing ahead of its final release later this year. This iteration is based on the new Adaptable Linux Platform (ALP) from SUSE and operates on the Linux kernel 6.12 LTS.
Users can experience this upcoming operating system variant through a fresh installer called Agama, developed by the team behind the classic YaST tool. Agama optimizes installation by supporting Integration with third-party tools and usability for multiple OS versions such as openSUSE Tumbleweed and MicroOS.
The beta version currently supports three installation options: a Base (default), GNOME (version 47), and KDE (version 6.3), all of which utilize Wayland exclusively. The update also marks a significant shift in security management by replacing AppArmor with SELinux as the default Mandatory Access Control (MAC) system, known for its larger community support and suitability for high-security environments.
Additional enhancements in Leap 16 include a new metadata management system tailored to architectures, support for parallel package downloads via Zypper for expedited installations, an inclusion of Cockpit for system management, and Myrlyn as a replacement for YaST.
The beta can be downloaded from the official website, with a recommendation to opt for the Network image since offline installation isn’t supported yet. The full release is anticipated for later in 2025, likely in October, along with a smooth upgrade process for existing users and a migration path for Leap Micro users. More information about this can be found in the release announcement.