A new version of the Liquorix Kernel 6.18-11 has been released, bringing low-latency tweaks, latency-driven improvements, and an optional Docker build pipeline to Debian, Ubuntu, and Arch systems. For most users, the official install script can be used to easily install a drop-in replacement kernel with reduced input latency without any manual configuration. Power users who prefer a transparent build chain can use Docker to compile their own packages from source, allowing for customization of signing and packaging options. The Liquorix kernel brings several low-latency features, including Zen Interactive Tuning, Background Hugepage Reclaim, and High-Resolution 1000 Hz Tick, making it a great solution for gaming, audio production, and other interactive workloads.

Liquorix Kernel 6.18‑11: Unleash Low‑Latency Power on Debian, Ubuntu, and Arch

A fresh drop of the Liquorix Kernel 6.18‑11 arrives with a tidy merge of Linux 6.18.10, a set of latency‑driven tweaks, and an optional Docker build pipeline that lets power users verify every step. The result is a kernel ready to cut milliseconds from gaming, audio production, and other interactive workloads.

Quick Install for Most Users

If the goal is a drop‑in replacement without wrestling with Docker, the official install script does all the heavy lifting in one line:

curl -s 'https://liquorix.net/install-Liquorix.sh' | sudo bash

The script auto‑detects Debian or Ubuntu and hands the correct signed package. After a reboot, uname ‑r should reveal something like 6.18‑11‑liq. The key advantage here is that Liquorix swaps the default scheduler for Kyber (multiqueue) or BFQ (single queue), immediately lowering input latency without any manual configuration.

Building Your Own Packages with Docker

For those who prefer a transparent build chain, Docker keeps the environment reproducible across Debian stable, testing, unstable, or Ubuntu. The workflow involves three steps: bootstrap the base images, compile source packages, then create binaries.

1. Bootstrap the images – This pulls the appropriate debootstrap tarballs and installs all build dependencies inside a clean container. Running it again simply updates layers rather than rebuilding from scratch:

   ./scripts/debian/docker_bootstrap.sh
   

2. Compile the source package – Provide the target distribution and release (e.g., debian bookworm). The script generates a .dsc and .orig.tar.gz, which can be inspected or tweaked later:

   ./scripts/debian/docker_build-source.sh debian bookworm
   

3. Build the binary – Choose the architecture (currently only amd64) and let dpkg-buildpackage finish the job:

   ./scripts/debian/docker_build-binary.sh amd64 debian bookworm
   

The resulting .debs land in artifacts/debian/bookworm. Building yourself allows the insertion of a custom GPG key for signing or the removal of signatures entirely for quick local testing.

Handling GPG Signing (Optional)

Liquorix prefers packages signed with a personal key. If one is absent, generate it:

gpg --full-gen-key

Follow the prompts, then list secret keys to locate the long ID:

gpg --list-secret-keys

Add that key as default in ~/.gnupg/gpg.conf:

default‑key YOURKEYID

If signing errors appear or authenticity is not a concern for a local install, add --no-sign to each dpkg-buildpackage invocation. A single search-and-replace on the scripts handles this change.

Feature Highlights Worth Knowing

The Liquorix kernel brings several low‑latency features that feel tangible in real workloads:

• Zen Interactive Tuning – Reduces scheduler timeslice to 2 ms, making UI interactions snappier at the cost of raw throughput.
• Background Hugepage Reclaim – Enabled by default; helps prevent stalls when memory‑intensive apps request large pages.
• PDS/BMQ CPU Scheduler – A fair process scheduler tuned for mixed gaming and multimedia loads.
• High‑Resolution 1000 Hz Tick – Delivers finer granularity for real‑time tasks, useful in DAWs and low‑latency networking.
• TCP BBR2 Congestion Control – Often outperforms Cubic on high‑speed broadband links, though its gains are muted over congested home Wi‑Fi.

Final Thoughts

Whether opting for the quick script or the Docker build path, Liquorix Kernel 6.18‑11 offers a ready‑to‑run low‑latency solution for anyone who cares about responsiveness without sacrificing stability. Deploy it, test your workflows, and see how much smoother everything feels.