openSUSE:Roadmap
openSUSE Release Cycle
openSUSE provides multiple release models to suit different use cases: rolling releases for users who want the latest software, atomic releases for secure and stable read-only systems, and classic releases for enterprise-grade stability.
Release Types
Rolling Releases
| Release | Description | Release Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Tumbleweed | Continuously updated; always the latest packages. | Rolling |
| Slowroll | Experimental, slower than Tumbleweed; still newer than Leap. | 30 days |
Atomic Rolling Releases
| Release | Description | Release Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Aeon | Initially based on MicroOS; read-only system for stability. | Same as Tumbleweed |
| Kalpa | Experimental KDE Plasma spin on MicroOS; read-only. | Same as Tumbleweed |
| MicroOS | Server/desktop atomic system; secure and stable. | Same as Tumbleweed |
Classic Releases
| Release | Description | Minor Release Cycle | Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leap | Regular release based on the newest SUSE Linux Enterprise available at the time. | ~12 months | Maintenance updates for 2 releases (~24 months) |
| Leap Micro | Combines Leap stability with MicroOS security; specialized appliances. | Twice a year | Lifecycle aligned with Leap |
For detailed lifecycle info of Tumbleweed and Leap, see The Lifetime Wiki Page.
Calendar & Scheduling
Events are listed on the openSUSE calendar.
- Default scheduling: 15:00–15:30 (full-day events not supported).
- Supports iCalendar subscriptions: product schedule.
Note: The product schedule view still has some usability issues.
Active Releases
Leap 16.0
Important: Leap Micro 6.2 adopts the Leap 16.0 schedule. Leap Micro 6.3 will follow Leap 16.1.
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Alpha Availability | Mon, Oct 7, 2024 | Install images: https://get.opensuse.org/, openQA testing |
| Alpha Availability | Wed, Jan 15, 2025 | Matches SLES 16 Beta 1; upgrade tests in place |
| Beta Code Submission | Mon, Apr 21, 2025 | SLES 16 Public Beta deadline |
| Beta Build Done | Tue, Apr 29, 2025 | Public availability of first Beta; regular updates weekly/bi-weekly |
| SLES ABI & Crypto Freeze | Mon, May 26, 2025 | Informative: SLES Final Product ABI and Crypto |
| Hard kABI Freeze | Thu, Jun 26, 2025 | Informative: SLES Hard kABI freeze |
| RC Code Submission | Mon, Jul 21, 2025 | In sync with SLES 16 Public RC; SLFO:Main branched into stabilization |
| Gold Master Candidate Code Submission | Mon, Aug 18, 2025 | All translations pulled; finalized release notes |
| Gold Master Build | Wed, Sep 24, 2025 | ~1 week after confirmed SLES 16.0 GM |
| Public Availability | Wed, Oct 1, 2025 | GA at 12:00 UTC |
| Release Retrospective Survey Open | Wed, Oct 1, 2025 | survey.opensuse.org |
| Collect Feedback | Wed, Oct 15, 2025 | Data available at https://en.opensuse.org/Category:Leap |
Leap 15.6
- **Public Availability:** Wed, Jun 12, 2024, GA at 12:00 UTC
- **End of Life:** Thu, Apr 30, 2026
- See SDB:How_to_migrate_to_SLE for migration options.
Leap 15.5
- **End of Life:** Tue, Dec 31, 2024
- See SDB:How_to_migrate_to_SLE for migration options.
Active Leap Micro Releases
Leap Micro is a re-brand of SLE Micro RPMs with minor configuration tweaks. Typically trails SLE Micro releases by ~1 month.
Leap Micro 6.0
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Availability | Tue, Jun 25, 2024 | Available |
| Planned End of Life | Thu, Apr 30, 2025 | After Leap Micro 6.2 release |
Leap Micro 6.1
| Milestone | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Availability | Thu, Dec 5, 2024 | Available |
| Planned End of Life | Thu, Nov 30, 2025 | After Leap Micro 6.3 release |
Leap Micro 5.5
- **End of Life:** Tue, Dec 31, 2024
- No longer supported.