Linux kernel development community creates contingency plan to choose Linus Torvalds' successor, filenamed 'Conclave'

Linus Torvalds has been at the forefront of the Linux kernel development project for over 34 years, since the birth of Linux in 1991. A contingency plan was created in case a smooth transition from Torvalds to his successor becomes impossible, and was merged into the official repository on January 25, 2026, under the file name ' conclave.rst .'

linux/Documentation/process/conclave.rst at master · torvalds/linux · GitHub
https://github.com/torvalds/linux/blob/master/Documentation/process/conclave.rst

The Linux kernel development project is widely distributed and managed by over 100 maintainers, but before it can be merged into the main repository, it must pass a final check by Torvalds, who has earned him the nickname ' Benevolent Dictator for Life .'

Torvalds is also known for using very strong language, and in 2025 he made headlines for calling test code filth and sending a message saying, ' Don't add shitty links to your Git commits .'

Torvalds, 56, was born in 1969 and has indicated that he will continue to be involved in the development of the Linux kernel. However, Torvalds' retirement is inevitable, and the transition process for key personnel is being discussed in preparation for his retirement.

At the maintainer summit held in December 2025, one of the maintainers, Dan Williams, proposed a 'transition process in the event that a smooth transition from Torvalds to another person is prevented.' This process was documented and merged into the main repository on January 25, 2026.

2025 Maintainers Summit development process discussions [LWN.net]
https://lwn.net/Articles/1050179/

The file documenting the transition process is named 'conclave.rst,' after the Catholic Church's conclave, which determines the Pope. The steps outlined in conclave.rst are as follows:

Within 72 hours, the organizers of the most recent Maintainer Summit or the Chair of the Linux Foundation’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB) will initiate a meeting with invitees from the most recent Maintainer Summit. The meeting may be held online or in person. The date will be set as soon as possible to maximize attendance.
If a Maintainer Summit has not been held in the past 15 months, the participants for the meeting will be determined by the TAB.
- Those invited to the meeting may invite other maintainers to attend if necessary.
The meeting will be chaired by either the organizer of the most recent Maintainer Summit or the Chair of the TAB, and will consider a plan for the ongoing management of the top-level kernel repository, with the goal of maximizing the long-term health of the project and community.
- Information about next steps will be communicated to the community via the mailing list within two weeks.

The Linux Foundation is also expected to support and implement the transition plan as directed by the TAB.