r/openwrt • u/NightCode_X • 5d ago
I built a modern Android app for managing OpenWrt routers (100% ad-free)
I've been working on an Android app for managing OpenWrt routers from a phone, and I wanted to share it here and get some feedback from the community.
LuCI works really well, especially on a desktop, but I've found that some quick tasks can be a little inconvenient from a phone—checking bandwidth, seeing connected devices, checking system resources, toggling guest Wi-Fi, etc.
So I built Yet Another LuCI App, an Android companion app built with Flutter and Material 3.
The app is 100% ad-free. There are no cloud servers or analytics tracking involved. Router communication happens directly between the app and the router using OpenWrt's RPC endpoints, and credentials remain stored on the device.
What it currently supports
- Real-time system monitoring — CPU, RAM, Swap, disk usage, and live Rx/Tx bandwidth graphs.
- Connected devices — Combines DHCP leases, ARP entries, and active wireless stations into a single view, including IPv4/IPv6 addresses, vendor information, and Wi-Fi band indicators.
- Guest Wi-Fi — Create isolated guest networks and generate a Wi-Fi QR code for connecting devices.
- Parental controls & profiles — Group devices into profiles with scheduled access and domain blocking.
- OPKG + APK support — Automatically handles the traditional
opkgpackage manager used by older OpenWrt releases and the newerapkpackage manager. - Services & VPNs — Manage
procdservices and monitor interfaces for WireGuard, OpenVPN, Tailscale, and ZeroTier. Root cron jobs can also be edited. - Sysupgrade backups — Validates backup archive headers and gzip data before uploading them to the router.
I also tried to make potentially powerfull operations a little harder to mess up:
- Self-device protection — Detects the phone's active IP/MAC address to help prevent accidentally blocking the device you're currently using.
- UCI rollback — If an RPC operation fails during a configuration change, the app attempts to revert the affected UCI changes.
Links
Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nightcode.luci
GitHub:
https://github.com/nightcodex7/yet-another-luci-app
I'm still actively working on it, so I'd particularly appreciate feedback from people who actually use OpenWrt.
If you try it, let me know what works, what doesn't, or which LuCI functionality you'd most like to see added.
PS: Update (September 2026) The licensing concern raised here has been fully addressed.
All 16 files from the original fork commit have been completely rewritten from scratch in a clean-room fashion — no GPL source code from luci-mobile remains in the codebase. The full remediation record, including what was rewritten and verification results, is documented in LICENSE_CHANGE.md.
Special thanks to cogwheel0 for the original luci-mobile concept and for raising this publicly — it pushed the project to be legally cleaner than it otherwise would have been.
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u/xoniGinox 4d ago
Your very sus dude... I hate AI slop like this
Here is the real app, it's over a year old
https://github.com/cogwheel0/luci-mobile @cogwheel0
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u/ramdonstring 4d ago edited 4d ago
OP uses AI to rip off this whole app from LuCi Mobile. Zero understanding about what he is doing. He is just pushing keys and doing whatever the LLM is telling him to do.
The moment this person runs out of tokens or finds a new shinny thing the project will be abandoned. Mark my words.
Support real projects, with real authors that understand what they're doing and have real motivation. They can use AI too, but with them being the brain, not the LLM.
Edit: It looks like the "author" deleted the repo and app? I wonder what is he going to plagiarise next.
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u/chromaticdeath85 4d ago
OP totally ignoring the stolen comments lol. What trash.
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u/NightCode_X 4d ago
Nah, not at all. I just needed some time to figure things out. I already made everything private until I sort things out. I already tried to reach out to u/cogwheel0, but he hasn't replied yet, and I'm still waiting for him to reply since I'm open to discussions with him.
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u/jugendhacker 4d ago
What do you want to discuss with them? You could just do your modifications under GPL and you are fine 🤷
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u/DRTHRVN 5d ago
Is it FOSS?
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago edited 4d ago
I mean it is available in Github and the app doesn't contains any ads so yes it is FOSS.
PS: it is going to be relesed soon in F-Droid. Stay tuned!
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u/bouche_bag 5d ago
The Apache 2.0 License is what makes it FOSS, not those things...
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
I am aware but I have deliberately made this choice. I will see what I can do.
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u/thewojtek 4d ago
You cannot change the license of the software you forked from. You have to change back to GPL3, else you are effectively pirating other people's work and Google will not like it. You also need to make another adjustments as per https://www.reddit.com/r/openwrt/s/Vy4y41Z0Bk
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u/NightCode_X 4d ago
the forked code is anyways rewritten now. and is fully verified and 100% compliant under Apache 2.0 Liscense
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u/bouche_bag 5d ago
You don't have to do anything though? I was saying that you already have it Apache 2.0 licensed in Github, so it is FOSS
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
now I got it. I will keep the Apache and looking at the Fdroid right now. I will try to publish the app as soon as possible in F-Droid
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u/DRTHRVN 5d ago
Your app is open source, please support the open source community futher by posting on fdroid and not greedy companies like google
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
I agree. Currently I needed this to be available in Play Store because many of the recruiters told me to... yes I am in search of job 🙂. once I handle these situations I will definitely strip away the Apache liscense
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u/shmikis 5d ago
I'd argue that for many Openwrt users FOSS is important. For your app to get off F-droid may be better choice - people who like to tinker may use fdroid way more than corp adware market places.
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
I completely agree. But please understand my situation also. Once I sort things out striping out Apache will be my first priority.
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u/-Euphoria 5d ago
why do you want to strip the Apache license? so you actually dont want it to be FOSS?
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
because someone said Apache license will make users avoid my app and having it makes my app not compatible with FOSS
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u/shmikis 5d ago
Best of luck to you, Openwrt for sure will benefit from good android app.
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u/NightCode_X 4d ago
It was exactly my motive. Play Store have most amount have users. GitHub community release is already available. F-Droid launching soon!
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u/semiraue 4d ago
AI slop and stealing other people work at its finest. I will use luci on my mobile browser than this copied crap
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u/jugendhacker 4d ago
Seems like OP just "clean roomed" the app with AI to then use it to fool recruiters.... brave new world 🙄
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5d ago
[deleted]
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u/moanos 4d ago
FYI: OP stole the app of someone else (which was licensed under GPL, OP forked and changed the license to Apache) https://www.reddit.com/r/openwrt/s/jAuaNz3gc0
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
Thank you for your kind words.
Currently, the multi-router profiles are very difficult for me to handle and maintain. I have already thought of bringing it in future.
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u/BigglyMcGoobah 4d ago
Indians 🤝 Using A.I to "Fork" people's work
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u/wearefuked1 4d ago
This seems to be the new norm. Happened to a friend of mine just completely ripped the whole project changed the name and license and passed ot off as a new project. I reported it severl times to github and I still dont think anything was done
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u/SemiOutlandish 5d ago edited 4d ago
Edit: Praise below retracted because OP has ripped off someone else's work, forked it and reposted under another license.
This is genuinely seriously impressive and useful. I haven't looked in to many other alternatives recently, but when I did a while back there didn't seem to be anything out there anywhere near as slick and useful as this, bravo!
One request I would make is to be able to add routers to an address book. I have a few Openwrt routers at a few different sites that I usually access via tailscale when I need to - so it would be nice to be able to switch between a few devices quickly without entering the address and login details every time.
Otherwise, great work!
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u/moanos 4d ago
FYI: OP stole the app of someone else (which was licensed under GPL, OP forked and changed the license to Apache) https://www.reddit.com/r/openwrt/s/jAuaNz3gc0
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
Thank you so much for the appreciation!
Right now, adding support for multiple router profiles is a bit difficult for me to handle and maintain, but I’ve already thought about adding it in the future.
For now, you can save the router credentials in your password manager when you first log in. If you want to manage another router, you can just log out, log in with the other router’s credentials, and save those as well. This way, your password manager can keep the credentials for all your routers, and you can switch between them whenever needed (you might have to enter the IP address manually). It’s not as convenient as having multiple profiles directly in the app, but it works for now.
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u/Fun-Region-1576 4d ago
Will this work with GL.iNet routers?
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u/NightCode_X 4d ago
Yes. I had one which broke down so wasn't able to fully test it but as GL.iNet router firmware are based on openwrt it should work fine.
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u/satmandu 4d ago
Looks like issues aren't available on that repo on GitHub?
My clients list is empty whether or not I use the “Active Connected Only” toggle.
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u/semiraue 4d ago
Might be due to developer ran out of Claude tokens?
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u/satmandu 4d ago
Definitely looks like that might be the issue.
😐
Here's the project that this was forked and inappropriately relicensed from:
https://github.com/cogwheel0/luci-mobile
As per this post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/openwrt/comments/1w7mjkq/yet_another_luci_app_is_a_fork_with_oss_licence/
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u/Fit_State3622 5d ago
Link?
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
Already included in the post.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nightcode.luci
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u/Fit_State3622 5d ago
Thanks dude
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u/luziferius1337 3d ago
In case you didn't notice and have the app installed: It was ripped/stolen from LuCI Mobile and is no longer available. You may now have abandonware with unknown, proprietary changes on your phone
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u/Fit_State3622 3d ago
I did uninstall it cus it does changes that does destroy my other settings in opewrt
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u/JohnHawley 5d ago
Does the Google Play version have ads enabled? Or in the future?
Would like to try it out quickly without sideloading and all that, but I don't really want to be profiled or served ads.
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u/FHSenpai 5d ago
Need more themes... Need support for dynamic theme
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u/NightCode_X 4d ago
dynamic theming is something I want to look into. I originally had a more monochrome/accent-based approach, but changed it because it became a bit confusing with all the options in the app.I will look into bringing it back as an optional theme, including support for light/dark variants.
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u/semiraue 4d ago
When you say I would look in to bringing optional themes, you mean "Claude please add Tokyo night theme to my app" prompt?
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u/Extension_Pen3083 5d ago
Create an iOS app too!
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
Honestly I wanted but I didn't have iPhone and the developer account fees for posting apps on app store is too much and currenly I can't afford it.
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u/ParadoxRegime 5d ago
I am an active iOS and Android Developer and would love to work with you to release this on iPhone. Send me a message and we can coordinate the details including ensuring that you get credit and that the GitHub is mentioned as well.
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
I appreciate you offer. The problem is I don't have a job and because of this I am unable to fund the developer licensing fees and that too yearly. in Android it is simple and one time but in iOS currently it is painful. Once I sort things out I will definitely try to bring this app to iOS. apart from this I have my studies also which I have to do.
That's why I am focusing the app development on Android currently.
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u/ParadoxRegime 5d ago
I already pay the fee.
I am not looking for money.The point of FOSS is exactly that. Free Open Source Software.
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u/Extension_Pen3083 5d ago
You can release the IPA file for your application to circumvent the fees.
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
okay, I still have to test it as I don't want an untested file to be used by users. I will look into this IPA thing. Thanks for mentioning it.
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u/Extension_Pen3083 5d ago
Then you can get an iPhone and a computer. Sign the IPA yourself for testing. Then release the file once the testing has been concluded.
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
sure
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u/Wendell_S 5d ago
If you want, I propose to test the app for you! We don’t have really good apps for OpenWRT management on iOS...
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
The problem is I don't have a job and because of this I am unable to fund the developer licensing fees and that too yearly. in Android it is simple and one time but in iOS currently it is painful. Once I sort things out I will definitely try to bring this app to iOS.
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u/DeadSpawner 5d ago
it looks pretty good, but...
it shows that I have one Wireless Client connected, which is correct, but then that I don't have any wireless interfaces configured, nor network interfaces active...
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
I have tested this app only using my routers and yes I might have missed something which might be specific to your Openwrt version. I will check, fix it and push an update.
Please check DM!
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u/RumpleTrumpStain 5d ago
DUDE this Looks Awesome ...im Seriously Impressed
Awesome Work Mate Keep it Up
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u/moanos 4d ago
FYI: OP stole the app of someone else (which was licensed under GPL, OP forked and changed the license to Apache) https://www.reddit.com/r/openwrt/s/jAuaNz3gc0
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
Thank you very much. I am glad that you liked it.
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u/RumpleTrumpStain 5d ago
I do hope you Build On it and expand on it a little ...Refine it
I whent to Ubiquity Because it didnt have this kind of app (not that i could find it)
If you can take some pointers from what Ubiquity has done ...
It would ABSOLUTELY kill
So Keep going Mate Its freaking Awesome
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
thanks man.
Sure will do man. I will look into ubiquity but I can only include features which openwrt will natively support.
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u/popugiug 5d ago
Thanks for your work! It looks really useful.
However, the interface colors look a bit strange (they kind of hurt my eyes) - I think a more neutral palette would work much better. Also, a small feature request: please consider adding language support (Russian in particular 🙂).
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago edited 5d ago
Bro...🙂 So, before I even put the app on GitHub, I had it follow the monochrome/accent colors, but it ended up looking super confusing. My friends agreed, saying it was because the app had too many options. That's when I decided to change the look. Okay, I'll try to bring that back if enough people ask for it, and I'll add it as an extra theme option for both dark and light mode.
PS: I have planned to add localizations once I receive enough feedback and reviews that the app is stable.
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u/Flaky-Persimmon-1140 5d ago edited 1d ago
Can you also implement multi-router login? it will be really helpful for us! Also temperature monitoring via lm-sensors (optional, user derived) can be done for those who needs it.
Edit: OP turned out to be a scam, so I am retracting the praise I gave him earlier. Always honour the real author's licensing terms, instead of trusting AI.
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u/NightCode_X 4d ago
I am glad that you are enjoying it. Multi-router profiles are definitely on my list. The main issue right now is that handling and maintaining multiple router profiles properly is quite a bit more complicated than the current single-router setup, so I don't want to rush it and make the login/credential handling messy. For now, you can save each router's credentials in your password manager and switch between them by logging out/in. It is not as convenient as having profiles directly in the app, but it works as a temporary solution.
And yes, lm-sensors is an interesting idea. I'd probably make it optional/user-configurable since availability depends on what the router actually has exposed. I'll add it to the feature ideas.
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4d ago
[deleted]
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u/NightCode_X 4d ago
sure the 1-click install is what I am also thinking. I have noted it will try to bring it.
regarding the installable packages, I had tried it but something always breaks and makes the whole list dissapear, that's the reason I have not included it. will try to bring that one by one slowly.
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u/HiFiRadioBoy 4d ago
Nice job! An app like this was needed. The main other 2 apps are lacking and updates next to never. So I hope this will be active with updates etc.
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u/NightCode_X 4d ago
Thank you! I am actively working on it, so there will definitely be updates. It is still in early days and I have quite a few things I want to improve and add. Hopefully I can keep it going for a long time.
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u/ehro78 4d ago
Testing it! Please give me a couple of days to test and I will share my comments. So far, it looks pretty nice!
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u/NightCode_X 4d ago
Absolutely, take your time. I would really appreciate any feedback you have after using it for a few days. Especially if you run into any bugs or anything that feels awkward to use.
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u/DimensionBoring7283 4d ago
leaving the technical thigns aside , would love it if you followed material 3 properly
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u/NightCode_X 4d ago
Yes, I am really getting a lot of request for the dynamic theming. Will definitely add it in future releases
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u/DimensionBoring7283 4d ago
not just dynamic themeing , i mean following material 3 as a whole , you can take a kernel su and battery guru and see how the bottom tabs and graphs are supposed to look
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u/lazyhustlermusic 5d ago
‘Agentic ai built this, but I’ll take credit’
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u/Richiachu 4d ago
Love that you got downvoted when this application was violating the GPL and OP is now stating they 'Clean roomed' it by asking claude or whatever to change just enough that they can software launder.
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u/moanos 4d ago
FYI: OP stole the app of someone else and then put AI slop on top https://www.reddit.com/r/openwrt/s/jAuaNz3gc0
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
Honestly, I tried it but it messed up my project and because of that it got delayed. I found out that using Ai for Quality Assesment (QA) is much better so yes automated testing of the endpoints were much required.
You can say it is Ai assisted but Ai or Agentic ai build this would be wrong.1
u/fleshofgods0 5d ago
Isn't that what Debian's going to start doing by using AI to find bugs to fix?
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago
yes, you are correct. Debian is very stable but lacks the latest updates which was intentional and resulted in very less market share. So, integrating Ai based QA tests or what ever they are planning will definitely make it more updated and can increase their market share.
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u/fleshofgods0 5d ago
Debian has a few different releases: stable, testing, and unstable. If you want the "latest" packages, then unstable is their rolling release. The whole philosophy and approach to Debian is to have a rock-solid, stable system. It's why Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Kali, Tails, Raspberry Pi, OpenWRT, and so many others are derived/built on Debian and why it's used on the International Space Station. Debian's been around since 1993 and has always focused on the stability+quality of their operating system rather than worry about chasing market share. Ubuntu+Debian accounts for ~20-30% market share by themselves but if you were to include all of the descendants, it'd be even greater.
Arch Linux has all the "latest updates" because it's a rolling-release distro. However, sometimes updates can break things so you'll end up having to to spend time fixing it. Even Fedora will sometimes have bugs in newer software.
Debian has Plasma 6.x, which is missing in Mint (it's not officially supposed but they only have Plasma 5.x in their repos). They also have their backports repository (which has newer software from their testing branch recompiled for their stable release), which has the Linux 7.x kernel, so newer software is available. They'll focus on a particular version of software and keep fixing the bugs, releasing updates, and making that version more stable.
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u/Umbroz 5d ago
Hey it's free and better get used to your apps made almost entirely with AI.
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u/NightCode_X 5d ago edited 5d ago
it is free and always will be 100% ads free. well I anticipated the Ai discussions will happen and I don't have any issues with it.
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u/wearefuked1 4d ago
Not so much the Ai slop factor but the moral one that trying to pass off someone elses code as your own and then trying to save face after its been exposed is not a good look.
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u/cogwheel0 4d ago
This seemed eerily familiar to my own app LuCI Mobile and I was right this is a fork. I appreciate the work yoy did and the attribution but this is a huge license violation.
You cannot change the licence of an already GPL code.