Debian 12 had aimed to have a merged “/usr” file-system layout similar to other Linux distributions, but The Debian Technical Committee earlier this year decided to impose a merged-/usr file movement moratorium. But now with Debian 12 having been out for a few months, that moratorium has been repealed.

In hoping to have the merged /usr layout ready in time for Debian 13 “Trixie”, yesterday that moratorium was repealed. Debian’s UsrMerge Wiki page tracks the effort for those wishing to learn more about this modernization of the directory structure.

Debian’s merged /usr transition will hopefully be all wrapped up in time for the Debian 13 release in about two years time.