The openSUSE team has announced the release of the openSUSE Agama 1.8 installer, marking another significant step in the development of its next-generation installation tool. Agama, which is set to be the default installer for future openSUSE Tumbleweed, ALP, and MicroOS releases, aims to provide a modern, user-friendly experience built on web technologies.
This 1.8 update is not about adding a host of new features, but rather about refining the core user experience. The development team has focused its efforts on the most intimidating part of any OS install: the storage and partitioning screen.
A Cleaner and More Intuitive Storage Experience
The highlight of the Agama 1.8 release is a completely revamped storage UI. The goal was to move away from the complex and often confusing layout of traditional installers. The new interface is described as being significantly cleaner and more intuitive.
Instead of presenting users with a wall of options, the new design guides the user through the process more logically. It provides clearer visual feedback on disk selection, partitioning schemes, and filesystem choices. This is a welcome change for both beginners, who are often stopped in their tracks by partitioning, and experienced users, who can now get through the process faster and with more confidence.
According. to the OFFICIAL GITHUB RELEASE NOTES, this redesigned storage stack UI is the main focus of the release.
In addition to the storage overhaul, Agama 1.8 includes several other smaller improvements:
Improved Registration: The process for registering the system (e.g., for SLES) has been streamlined.
Better Validation: The installer now has improved client-side validation for user input, helping to catch errors before they become a problem.
Enhanced HTTP Handling: The underlying web service now has better handling of HTTP “If-None-Match” headers, improving caching and efficiency.
While Agama is still under heavy development, this release shows a clear focus on polishing the user experience before it becomes the default standard for all openSUSE installations.
This new version will soon be available in openSUSE Tumbleweed snapshots for users who want to test the latest changes.