The new version of SparkyLinux 8.0, codenamed “The Seven Sisters,” arrived a few days ago with some interesting new features. This edition is based on Debian 13.0 “Trixie”, with which it maintains full compatibility, ensuring stability and access to the vast Debian package ecosystem. This new version is a major update with a new base, unlike the previous one. 7.8 which arrived in mid-July.
Name “The Seven Sisters” refers to the Pleiades, the most famous open cluster in the sky, cataloged as M45 by Messier. Its popularity is due to the fact that it can be easily observed with the naked eye, and it is located in the constellation of Taurus, about 444 light years from Earth. This is not information that I know of; it simply appears in the notes from this release.
Main news of SparkyLinux 8.0
In this release, all packages have been updated from the stable Debian and Sparky repositories as of August 13, 2025. The system includes the Linux kernel 6.12.41-LTS, although the versions are also available in the repositories 6.16.0 y 6.6.99-LTS for those who wish to update them.
Among the featured applications, we find LibreOffice 25.2.3, Firefox ESR 128.13.0 (with version 141.0.3 available in the Sparky repositories) and Thunderbird ESR 128.13.0.
The desktop environments have also been revamped:
- KDE Plasma arrives in its version 6.3.6,
- LXQt to 2.1.0,
- MATE remains in the 1.26,
- Xfce reaches the 4.20,
- y open box is in the 3.6.1.
As new features, all ISO images now include GIMP pre-installed and the tool has been added sparky-package-tool (spt), designed to manage packages conveniently from the console. In addition, the text-mode installer (sparky-installer) incorporates new functions: encryption of the /home partition y self-partitioning to use the entire disk in a single partition.
In the edition open box, the file manager PCManFM has been replaced by Thunar, and the Sparky APTus AppCenter application center is also updated, removing packages that have disappeared from the Debian “Trixie” repository.
Finally, it is worth taking into account the known issues:
- El disk encryption using Calamares does not work properly during installation.
- En KDE Plasma, some older themes obtained from external sources are not compatible with Plasma 6.
SparkyLinux 8.0 reaffirms its commitment to offering a lightweight, flexible, and up-to-date distribution, ideal for those seeking an optimized Debian experience without sacrificing customization.