2.1.5 The unstable distribution

Package entries for the unstable distribution, always codenamed "Sid", are recorded into the unstable (symlink to sid/) directory after they are uploaded to the Debian archive and stay here until they are moved to testing/. New physical packages are located under the pool directory ( The pool directory, Section 2.1.10). There are also main, contrib, and non-free subdirectories in unstable/, which serve the same functions as in stable/.

The unstable distribution contains a snapshot of the most current development system. Users are welcome to use and test these packages, but are warned about their state of readiness. The advantage of using the unstable distribution is that you are always up-to-date with the latest in the Debian software project—but if it breaks, you get to keep both parts. :-)

The current status of unstable distribution bugs is reported on the Unstable Problems web page.