Canonical has announced a new approach to its kernel strategy for Ubuntu development builds, which aims to make testing new Linux kernels much easier. Unlike previous methods where development versions of Ubuntu would rely on the same kernel as the last stable release for a majority of the development cycle, the new approach will allow for routine packaging of new upstream kernel releases from the start.
Under this new policy, development will feature not only the final target kernel version but also intermediate versions. For instance, while Ubuntu 25.04 shipped with Linux 6.14, the upcoming 25.10 will utilize Linux 6.17. The intermediate versions 6.15 and 6.16 will now be included in development builds, which were previously not tested. This change is expected to uncover potential issues earlier, resulting in greater confidence in the final kernel quality before the Ubuntu General Availability (GA) image is released.
As part of this initiative, the Ubuntu kernel team is already working on a build based on the Linux 6.15 kernel for testing, with plans for the Linux 6.16 kernel to follow shortly. This policy aligns with Canonical’s commitment to using the latest available kernel in new releases, even during the development phase.
Moreover, the inclusion of interim kernel releases will complement the recent introduction of monthly snapshots intended to expose compatibility issues and bugs sooner through enhanced automated testing strategies. This proactive approach simplifies the process of testing new upstream kernels, allowing users to download a daily build or a monthly snapshot instead of relying on third-party sources for kernel features.
For further details, visit the Canonical announcement on the new kernel strategy.