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https://www.debian.org/releases - Official information about Debian releases
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Contents

# [[#Introduction{{!}}Introduction]]
# [[#Choosing_which_version_of_Debian_to_use{{!}}Choosing which version of Debian to use]]
# [[#Current_Debian_Releases_and_repositories{{!}}Current Debian Releases and repositories]]
# [[#Versions_of_Debian_stable{{!}}Versions of Debian stable]]
# [[#Release_statistics{{!}}Release statistics]]
# [[#How_packages_move_between_different_repositories{{!}}How packages move between different repositories]]
# [[#Codenames{{!}}Codenames]]
# [[#See_also{{!}}See also]]

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== Introduction ==

Debian is under continual development but periodically declares a new version as '''stable'''. Each stable release contains a (mostly) fixed set of software: as the name stable suggests, software in stable does not change: however, security issues are fixed by Debian. A stable version of Debian is available for several [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/suggests,%20Computer_architecture computer architectures] and Debian makes it easy to upgrade to the next version of stable when it is released: this generally happens every couple of years.

The latest release is Debian {{MoinMarkup/Macro|MoinMarkupID=3|ArgCount=1|Name=DebianVersion|stable|Content=DebianVersion(stable)|Output=13.4|MoinMarkupID2=3}}. It is also (currently) known as '''[[DebianStable|stable]]''' or by its codename &quot;{{MoinMarkup/Macro|MoinMarkupID=4|ArgCount=1|Name=DebianCodenameLink|stable|Content=DebianCodenameLink(stable)|Output=[[DebianTrixie{{!}}Trixie]]|MoinMarkupID2=4}}&quot;.

At any given time, there is one stable release of Debian. Security updates are provided by [[Teams/Security|Debian security team]] for [https://www.debian.org/security/faq#lifespan three years]. This generally means that each stable release is supported for its whole life plus an extra year (or so) after a new version of stable is released. In addition, further security support is provided by the [[LTS|LTS]] and [[LTS/Extended|LTS/Extended]] projects. Only stable is recommended for production use.

Debian also provides two main development versions '''[[DebianUnstable|unstable]]''' and '''[[DebianTesting|testing]]''' which are continually updated and which form the next stable release. The latest software packages are first added to unstable (which always has the codename &quot;Sid&quot;), and are copied into testing once they meet criteria, such as lack of [https://www.debian.org/Bugs/Developer#severities release-critical bugs], and once any dependencies are met by packages also in testing.

== Choosing which version of Debian to use ==

End users should generally choose to run either stable or testing. Stable is recommended for applications requiring production-level stability and security (servers, firewalls etc) and is also recommended for those who are new to Linux. Testing is recommended for advanced users who want new software on their desktops and who are capable of [[reportbug|reporting]] and fixing bugs to help Debian. [https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-faq/choosing Choosing a debian distribution] discusses the pros and cons of choosing one Debian distribution over another. And the [[DebianSoftware|overview of software for Debian Stable]] describes common ways Debian stable is enhanced with newer software or otherwise given extended capabilities. [https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-faq/ftparchives The Debian FTP archives] chapter of the [https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-faq/ Debian FAQ] has even more information.

== Current Debian Releases and repositories ==

Debian organises its software into 'repositories', and people often use terms such as versions/releases/repositories/archives/suites interchangeably.

The main versions of Debian are:

* [[DebianOldStable|oldstable]] - The previous stable release ({{MoinMarkup/Macro|MoinMarkupID=5|ArgCount=1|Name=DebianCodenameLink|oldstable|Content=DebianCodenameLink(oldstable)|Output=[[DebianBookworm{{!}}Bookworm]]|MoinMarkupID2=5}}).
* [[DebianStable|stable]] - The current stable release ({{MoinMarkup/Macro|MoinMarkupID=6|ArgCount=1|Name=DebianCodenameLink|stable|Content=DebianCodenameLink(stable)|Output=[[DebianTrixie{{!}}Trixie]]|MoinMarkupID2=6}}).
* [[DebianTesting|testing]] - The next generation release ({{MoinMarkup/Macro|MoinMarkupID=7|ArgCount=1|Name=DebianCodenameLink|testing|Content=DebianCodenameLink(testing)|Output=[[DebianForky{{!}}Forky]]|MoinMarkupID2=7}}).
* [[DebianUnstable|unstable]] - The unstable development release ({{MoinMarkup/Macro|MoinMarkupID=8|ArgCount=1|Name=DebianCodenameLink|unstable|Content=DebianCodenameLink(unstable)|Output=[[DebianSid{{!}}Sid]]|MoinMarkupID2=8}}), where new or updated packages are introduced.

Also available are:

* [[DebianExperimental|experimental]] - Not really a release ([[DebianReleases#Codenames|RC-Buggy]]), but a repository where packages are tested (and experiments made) if they are not suited for unstable.
* [[Backports|backports]] - Not a release, but a repository for updated packages for <code>stable</code>.

== Versions of Debian stable ==

<span class="comment" style="display:none">please use [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_8601 ISO 8601 dates] to make the column align better and ease comparisons. use a tilde sign for approximate dates, with the first day of the month if unknown. for example, &quot;may 2010&quot; is ~2010-05-01 and &quot;around 2010&quot; is &quot;~2010&quot;</span>

<div>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''Version'''
| '''Code name'''
| '''Release date'''
| '''End of life date'''
| '''EOL [[LTS|LTS]]'''
| '''EOL [[LTS/Extended|ELTS]]'''
|-
| 15
| [[DebianDuke|Duke]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Duke_Caboom namesake]
|
|
|
|
|-
| 14
| [[DebianForky|Forky]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Forky namesake]
|
|
|
|
|-
| 13
| [[DebianTrixie|Trixie]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Trixie namesake]
| [https://www.debian.org/News/2025/20250809 2025-08-09]
|
|
|
|-
| 12
| [[DebianBookworm|Bookworm]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Bookworm namesake]
| [https://www.debian.org/News/2023/20230610 2023-06-10]
| 2026-06-10
| 2028-06-30
| [https://www.freexian.com/lts/extended/docs/debian-12-support/ 2033-06-30]
|-
| 11
| [[DebianBullseye|Bullseye]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Bullseye namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2021/msg00003.html 2021-08-14]
| [https://www.debian.org/News/2024/20240814 2024-08-14]
| 2026-08-31
| [https://www.freexian.com/lts/extended/docs/debian-11-support/ 2031-06-30]
|-
| 10
| [[DebianBuster|Buster]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Buster_(Toy_Story) namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2019/msg00003.html 2019-07-06]
| [https://www.debian.org/News/2022/20220910 2022-09-10]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/05/msg00002.html 2024-06-30]
| [https://www.freexian.com/lts/extended/docs/debian-10-support/ 2029-06-30]
|-
| 9
| [[DebianStretch|Stretch]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Stretch_(Toy_Story) namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2017/msg00003.html 2017-06-17]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2020/msg00004.html 2020-07-18]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/07/msg00002.html 2022-07-01]
| [https://www.freexian.com/lts/extended/docs/debian-9-support/ 2027-06-30]
|-
| 8
| [[DebianJessie|Jessie]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Jessie namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2015/msg00001.html 2015-04-25]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2018/msg00001.html 2018-06-17]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2020/msg00003.html 2020-06-30]
| [https://www.freexian.com/lts/extended/docs/debian-8-support/ 2025-06-30]
|-
| 7
| [[DebianWheezy|Wheezy]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Wheezy namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2013/msg00002.html 2013-05-04]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2016/msg00005.html 2016-04-25]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2018/msg00001.html 2018-05-31]
| ~2020-06-30
|-
| 6
| [[DebianSqueeze|Squeeze]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Little_Green_Men namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2011/msg00001.html 2011-02-06]
| [https://www.debian.org/security/2014/dsa-2907 2014-05-31]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2016/msg00002.html 2016-02-29]
|
|-
| 5
| [[DebianLenny|Lenny]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Lenny namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2009/msg00002.html 2009-02-14]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-security-announce/2011/msg00238.html 2012-02-06]
|
|
|-
| 4
| [[DebianEtch|Etch]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Etch_A_Sketch namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2007/msg00002.html 2007-04-08]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2010/msg00000.html 2010-02-15]
|
|
|-
| 3.1
| [[DebianSarge|Sarge]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Sarge_(Toy_Story) namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2005/msg00003.html 2005-06-06]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2008/msg00001.html 2008-03-31]
|
|
|-
| 3.0
| [[DebianWoody|Woody]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Woody namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2002/msg00004.html 2002-07-19]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2006/msg00002.html 2006-06-30]
|
|
|-
| 2.2
| [[DebianPotato|Potato]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Mr._Potato_Head namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/2000/msg00009.html 2000-08-15]
| 2003-06-30
|
|
|-
| 2.1
| [[DebianSlink|Slink]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Slinky_Dog namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/1999/msg00005.html 1999-03-09]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-security-announce/2000/msg00043.html 2000-09-30]
| 2000-10-30
|
|-
| 2.0
| [[DebianHamm|Hamm]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Hamm namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/1998/msg00015.html 1998-07-24]
| -
|
|
|-
| 1.3
| [[DebianBo|Bo]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Bo_Peep namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/1997/msg00013.html 1997-07-02]
| -
|
|
|-
| 1.2
| [[DebianRex|Rex]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Rex namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/1996/msg00026.html 1996-12-12]
| -
|
|
|-
| 1.1
| [[DebianBuzz|Buzz]] [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Buzz_Lightyear namesake]
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/1996/msg00021.html 1996-06-17]
| -
|
|
|-
| 0.93R6
|
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/1995/msg00007.html 1995-10-26]
| -
|
|
|-
| 0.93R5
|
| [https://lists.debian.org/debian-announce/1995/msg00004.html ~1995-03-01]
| -
|
|
|-
| 0.91
|
| ~1994-01-01
| -
|
|
|}

</div>

Reminder: the EOL date for the stable release is the date of the ''next'' stable release plus one year. For example, Debian bullseye (&quot;buster +1&quot;) was released on 2021-08-14 so Debian buster's EOL is around 2022-08.

Note: the [[DebianReleases/PointReleases|point releases]] (like 7.1 and 7.2) are detailed in each distribution's page.

== Release statistics ==

<div>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''Version'''
| '''Code name'''
| '''Freeze length'''
| '''Time from previous release'''
| '''Time from next release up to EOL'''
| '''Total lifetime'''
|-
| 1.2
| [[DebianRex|Rex]]
|
| 178 days
|
|
|-
| 1.3
| [[DebianBo|Bo]]
|
| 175 days
|
|
|-
| 2.0
| [[DebianHamm|Hamm]]
| 171 days
| 414 days
|
|
|-
| 2.1
| [[DebianSlink|Slink]]
| 125 days
| 228 days
| 76 days
| 601 days
|-
| 2.2
| [[DebianPotato|Potato]]
| 212 days
| 525 days
| 346 days
| 1049 days
|-
| 3.0
| [[DebianWoody|Woody]]
| 383 days
| 703 days
| 389 days
| 1442 days
|-
| 3.1
| [[DebianSarge|Sarge]]
| 34 days
| 1053 days
| 357 days
| 1028 days
|-
| 4.0
| [[DebianEtch|Etch]]
| 258 days
| 671 days
| 366 days
| 1044 days
|-
| 5.0
| [[DebianLenny|Lenny]]
| 202 days
| 678 days
| 365 days
| 1087 days
|-
| 6.0
| [[DebianSqueeze|Squeeze]]
| 184 days
| 722 days
| 391 days
| 1209 days
|-
| 7
| [[DebianWheezy|Wheezy]]
| 308 days
| 818 days
| 366 days
| 1087 days
|-
| 8
| [[DebianJessie|Jessie]]
| 171 days
| 721 days
| 365 days
| 1149 days
|-
| 9
| [[DebianStretch|Stretch]]
| 224 days
| 784 days
| 366 days
| 1115 days
|-
| 10
| [[DebianBuster|Buster]]
| 185 days
| 749 days
| 392 days
| 1162 days
|-
| 11
| [[DebianBullseye|Bullseye]]
| 28 days
| 770 days
| 431 days
| 1096 days
|-
| 12
| [[DebianBookworm|Bookworm]]
| 101 days
| 665 days
|
|
|-
| 13
| [[DebianTrixie|Trixie]]
| [[ThomasChung/DebianTrixie/days|116 days]]
| [[ThomasChung/DebianTrixie/days|791 days]]
|
|
|}

</div>

In the above array, data closely following &quot;current&quot; releasing tendencies have been highlighted in green. What can be deduced from those data is that the &quot;most-typical&quot; Debian release:

* endures a '''''freeze cycle of 7 +/- 1 months''''' before getting released.
* is '''''released about 2 years after the previous one''''' (the often cited example of Debian Sarge being quite an exceptional event in Debian history).
* leaves users '''''about 1 year to upgrade to the next one''''' once this latter itself gets released.
* has (from release to the end of security updates) a '''''total lifetime of 5 years (the first three years of full support followed by two years of Long Term Support (LTS))'''''.

== How packages move between different repositories ==

Here's a diagram describing how packages flow between repositories: {{MoinMarkup/Embed|MoinMarkupID=9|Type=external|URL=https://salsa.debian.org/debian/package-cycle/raw/master/package-cycle.svg|Content=https://salsa.debian.org/debian/package-cycle/raw/master/package-cycle.svg|Output=[[File:https://salsa.debian.org/debian/package-cycle/raw/master/package-cycle.svg{{!}}class{{=}}external_image{{!}}https://salsa.debian.org/debian/package-cycle/raw/master/package-cycle.svg]]|MoinMarkupID2=9}}

{{MoinMarkup/ParserSection|MoinMarkupID=10|ArgStr=tip|Args=tip|Parser=wiki|tip|Content=The above graphic is generated from a [[https://salsa.debian.org/debian/package-cycle/blob/master/package-cycle.dot{{!}}dot file]] in the [[https://salsa.debian.org/debian/package-cycle{{!}}package-cycle git repository]].|Output=
<div class{{=}}"tip">
The above graphic is generated from a [https://salsa.debian.org/debian/package-cycle/blob/master/package-cycle.dot dot file] in the [https://salsa.debian.org/debian/package-cycle package-cycle git repository].

</div>

|MoinMarkupID2=10}}
See also [[DebianDak#Design|the various software powering that archive]].

== Codenames ==

Releases of the Debian distribution have both traditional version numbers and codenames based on characters from the Pixar/Disney ''[https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Toy_Story Toy Story]'' franchise. [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Sid_Phillips Sid] was the evil, mentally &quot;unstable&quot;, neighbor who broke all the toys. The experimental repository codename, [https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/RC_Car RC-Buggy], was Andy's toy car, and is a pun on 'Release Critical' and 'Remote Control.'

== See also ==

* [[DebianStability|DebianStability]] - Changing from one release version to another.
* {{WikiPedia|MoinMarkupID=11|Debian_version_history|Output=Debian version history - Wikipedia|MoinMarkupID2=11}}

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[[CategoryRelease|CategoryRelease]]