Early on, there were debates about the design principles of Linux compared to MINIX, with Andrew S. Tanenbaum, the creator of MINIX, criticizing Linux's monolithic kernel architecture.

Linus is known for his direct and sometimes harsh communication style, particularly in kernel mailing lists. This has occasionally sparked controversy, although many defend it as a way to maintain code quality and efficiency.

Linus temporarily steps down from his role as maintainer of the Linux kernel to work on his behavior, after acknowledging that his communication style had become unprofessional and harmful. He vowed to take a break and seek assistance in improving his leadership skills.