January 9, 2026
New tabs, old beefs
Kagi releases alpha version of Orion for Linux
Linux gets Orion's alpha, and the crowd's split: AI wishes, Apple rage, open‑source side‑eye
TLDR: Kagi launched an alpha of its Orion Linux browser with basic tabs, bookmarks, and session restore, but no extensions or sync yet. Comments erupted over WebKit, Apple’s locked iOS search defaults, closed‑source concerns, and demands for built‑in “ELI5” AI—making the debut both exciting and divisive.
Kagi just dropped an alpha of its Orion browser for Linux—a rough-and-ready test build with menus, tabs, bookmarks, history, and even passwords getting foundational support. But the real show wasn’t the feature list—it was the comments. One camp is asking, loudly, why WebKit (the engine behind Apple’s Safari), while others simply shrug: “Orion uses WebKit, that’s the deal.” Another camp is raging that they still can’t set Kagi as the default search in iOS Safari, calling Apple’s limited choices “a paid product placement” and scoffing at the workaround extension that “hijacks” searches.
Then came the open‑source vs closed‑source fireworks: Linux diehards aren’t thrilled about a proprietary browser on an open platform, with one Kagi customer asking point‑blank if Orion for Linux will be open‑sourced. Meanwhile, a different vibe emerged: the “give me AI in my browser” crowd. One fan wished Perplexity would ship its Comet browser on Linux so they could just highlight text and say “ELI5” (Explain Like I’m Five) and get instant clarity.
Under the drama, Orion’s alpha is basic but promising: tabs run independently and remember your session, bookmarks have folders, and local import/export is here. Missing pieces? The Tab Switcher UI, extensions, and sync. Verdict: the tech is early, the feelings are not.
Key Points
- •Kagi released an alpha version of the Orion browser for Linux, intended for testing and considered unstable.
- •Core UI components and basic navigation (homepage, tabs, simple searches) are functional.
- •Advanced tab management works (independent, parallel tabs), but the Tab Switcher UI is not yet supported.
- •Session persistence, bookmarks (with folder organization), and advanced history management are implemented.
- •A password management framework with local export/import is included; WebKit extension support and sync are planned for future releases.