Salix OS retains full backwards compatibility with Slackware. This enables Slackware users to benefit from Salix repositories, which they can use as an "extra" source of software for their distribution. However, while in the KISS principle that Slackware adheres to, "Simple" refers to the system design, Salix OS applies it to daily use as well. It aims to be simple, fast and easy to use.

To paraphrase the words of a journalist: the target audience for Salix OS might well be described as "lazy Slackers", users familiar with Linux in general and Slackware in particular who do not mind having additional tools to reduce their workload, while maintaining the maximum compatibility with Slackware possible. Salix OS adds automated dependency resolution, enhanced internationalization and localization, a larger repository of applications, and a well equipped suite of native administration and configuration tools for both the GUI and the command line. In so doing it is making the system more user friendly than vanilla Slackware to newcomers as well.

Installation modes
Salix had seven editions, namely MATE, Xfce, Fluxbox, OpenBox, KDE, and Ratpoison editions, until 2016 when Salix 14.2 came with Xfce desktop environment only.

The installation provided in Salix is text dialog based. It is easy to navigate and offers a complete choice of options. Spkg, which runs underneath, is optimized for speed. A "full" mode installation only takes a few minutes on a modern PC. For those who prefer a more conventional GUI installer, one is provided in Salix Live editions.

Salix offers three different modes of installation :
Core: Only the minimum essentials for a console system to start. Salix ncurses system tools are included, but a graphical system is not. This mode is designed for experienced users who want to customize their installation for a specific purpose, such as a web server, file server, etc.

Basic: This includes the previous Core mode applications with, depending on the particular edition, the addition of only the Xfce or OpenBox desktop environment, a web browser (Firefox with Xfce and Midori with Openbox), the gslapt package manager and Salix system GUI utilities. This mode is designed for advanced users that would like to install a lightweight Desktop environment and add their own choice of applications.

Full: This installs a complete set of application one could need on a day-to-day basis. That includes all the Basic mode applications with the addition of Claws-mail email client, the complete Libreoffice suite, a Java Runtime Environment, the Parole media player, Exaile music manager, etc., following the "one application per task" rationale.

All three installation modes come with a complete development environment, so users do not need to add anything to start developing and compiling applications.