XanMod released updated kernel builds today, introducing Linux 7.1.8-xanmod1 for the rolling mainline branch and Linux 6.18.44-xanmod1 for the long-term support line. The updates also include a real-time variant at 6.18.44-rt-xanmod1, featuring XanMod's custom optimizations such as LLVM ThinLTO compilation, AMD 3D V-Cache tuning, Cloudflare TCP Collapse, and native Steam Deck EC sensor support. Both branches incorporate extensive upstream fixes spanning graphics, networking, and security, with the LTS branch maintaining stability and support through December 2028. Users can install these builds via the XanMod APT repository across major Debian and Ubuntu derivatives, selecting from x86_64 ABI packages ranging from x64v1 to x64v3 to match their specific CPU generation.

XanMod Updates Mainline and LTS Kernels with 7.1.8 and 6.18.44 Builds

XanMod pushed new kernel builds to its repository today. The rolling mainline track is now sitting on top of Linux 7.1.8, while the long-term support branch has been updated to Linux 6.18.44. Both builds are compiled today and they carry the usual XanMod bag of optimizations.

The project has been around since 2015. Maintained by Alexandre Frade, XanMod takes upstream kernels and loads them with custom tuning. This includes LLVM ThinLTO compilation, x86_64 CPU-specific optimizations, and a curated set of third-party patches that you likely won't find in a standard distro release.

What's in the Update

The changes for this cycle cover a wide range of subsystems. XanMod applied hundreds of upstream fixes to both branches. These touch everything from graphics and networking to Bluetooth and virtualization. Security patches for s390 and the audit subsystem made it in as well.

On top of that, XanMod keeps rolling out its custom feature set. The AMD 3D V-Cache optimizer is included, which is great if you're gaming on a 5700X3D or 7800X3D. Cloudflare's TCP Collapse patch is also there, along with Google's BBRv3 congestion control as the default.

Valve fans will appreciate the added Steam Deck EC sensor modules. These include steamdeck, steamdeck-hwmon, and leds-steamdeck. If you're running Waydroid, the Android Binder IPC patch is handy for container support.

There's also an RT variant available. The real-time build is based on Linux 6.18.44-rt-xanmod1. It's designed for deterministic scheduling, which matters for audio production and industrial control systems.

One thing to keep in mind is the x86_64 ABI levels. XanMod ships packages at x64v1, x64v2, and x64v3. You should match your CPU generation to avoid performance penalties. Modern AMD Zen processors, from Zen up through Zen 5, and Intel chips from Haswell onward should go with x64v3. Older hardware from the Core 2 era will need x64v1.

The 6.18 LTS line won't see EOL until December 2028. That's a solid window for production servers. It covers hardware up to the November 2025 upstream cutoff and provides a stable base for enterprise deployments.

Getting It

The APT repository is the easiest way to get these builds. You'll need to add the repo, grab the signing key, and install the appropriate variant.

wget -qO - https://dl.xanmod.org/archive.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -vo /etc/apt/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg] http://deb.xanmod.org $(lsb_release -sc) main" | sudo tee /etc/sources.list.d/xanmod-release.list
sudo apt update && sudo apt install linux-xanmod-lts-x64v3

XanMod also includes NVIDIA drivers in the repository. If you need those, add the non-free component to the repo line and install nvidia-driver-595-open.

Not exactly bleeding edge, but close enough for most of us. The 6.18 LTS line is a healthy middle ground between the bleeding edge and ancient stability. The mainline branch is for desktop users who want the latest hardware support. Pick your track and enjoy the patches.