The Linux community has implemented a succession plan for when Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, steps down or is no longer able to lead the project. This initiative emerged from the Maintainers Summit held in December 2025, where continuity planning was a key topic of discussion.
During the summit, it became evident that there was a pressing need to address the future leadership of the Linux project. With Torvalds being the central figure in incorporating changes into the mainline repository, the community recognized that a succession plan was crucial to avoid potential chaos in the event of his absence.
Dan Williams, a principal engineer at Intel and Linux kernel maintainer, led the session. He opened the discussion by acknowledging the seriousness of the topic while maintaining a light-hearted tone in reference to “our eventual march toward death.” This discussion highlighted the community’s apprehension about Torvalds’ eventual departure, emphasizing the importance of having a clear protocol in place.
The attendees quickly came to a consensus that there are already measures in place for managing the repository. Several individuals possess the ability to commit to the repository, and redundancy has been established for the stable repository. The ideal outcome would see Torvalds facilitating a smooth transition to his successor when he decides to retire. However, Torvalds reaffirmed that he has no intention of stepping back soon.
A major concern was what would happen if a sudden event prevented a planned transition, potentially leaving the community without direction. To address this, Williams proposed that in the "worst-case scenario," the most recent attendees of the Maintainers Summit would convene to decide on the next steps. This might include appointing another "benevolent dictator" or moving towards a collective management system.
The plan, humorously coined as a "Conclave" to channel a Papal vibe—complete with white smoke to announce decisions—was documented to formalize the process. This continuity document outlines how the community will respond in the event of Torvalds’ unforeseen absence, ensuring that the Linux project remains on stable footing.
As Linux continues to be a fundamental part of global infrastructure, this plan emphasizes its critical role in technology today. The collaborative spirit displayed in establishing this succession plan ensures that even as leadership may change, the principles of open source and the vision behind Linux will endure.
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