diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 05ac2b2..d7c9a64 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -279,9 +279,52 @@ jobs:
           echo "Latest version from API: $LATEST_VERSION"
           echo "✅ jq parsing works correctly"
 
+  test-rhel8:
+    name: Test RHEL8 compatibility
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    container:
+      image: rockylinux:8
+    steps:
+      - name: Install required tools
+        run: |
+          dnf install -y git curl jq tar gzip findutils which
+
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Test setup buildcache on RHEL8
+        uses: ./
+
+      - name: Verify buildcache is in PATH
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          if ! command -v buildcache &> /dev/null; then
+            echo "Error: buildcache not found in PATH"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          echo "buildcache found in PATH"
+
+      - name: Verify buildcache version
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          VERSION=$(buildcache --version)
+          echo "Installed version: $VERSION"
+          if [[ ! "$VERSION" =~ BuildCache.*version.*[0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-9]+ ]]; then
+            echo "Error: Invalid version format: $VERSION"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          echo "Version format is valid"
+
+      - name: Test buildcache basic functionality
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          buildcache -s
+          buildcache -z
+          echo "Basic buildcache commands work on RHEL8"
+
   test-summary:
     name: Test Summary
-    needs: [test-latest-version, test-specific-version, test-invalid-version, test-installation-paths, test-multiple-installations, test-url-formats, test-api-availability]
+    needs: [test-latest-version, test-specific-version, test-invalid-version, test-installation-paths, test-multiple-installations, test-url-formats, test-api-availability, test-rhel8]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     if: always()
     steps:
@@ -293,7 +336,8 @@ jobs:
              [[ "${{ needs.test-installation-paths.result }}" != "success" ]] || \
              [[ "${{ needs.test-multiple-installations.result }}" != "success" ]] || \
              [[ "${{ needs.test-url-formats.result }}" != "success" ]] || \
-             [[ "${{ needs.test-api-availability.result }}" != "success" ]]; then
+             [[ "${{ needs.test-api-availability.result }}" != "success" ]] || \
+             [[ "${{ needs.test-rhel8.result }}" != "success" ]]; then
             echo "❌ Some tests failed"
             exit 1
           fi
@@ -310,4 +354,5 @@ jobs:
           echo "| Installation Paths | ${{ needs.test-installation-paths.result == 'success' && '✅ PASS' || '❌ FAIL' }} |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           echo "| Multiple Installations | ${{ needs.test-multiple-installations.result == 'success' && '✅ PASS' || '❌ FAIL' }} |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           echo "| URL Format Compatibility | ${{ needs.test-url-formats.result == 'success' && '✅ PASS' || '❌ FAIL' }} |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
-          echo "| API Availability | ${{ needs.test-api-availability.result == 'success' && '✅ PASS' || '❌ FAIL' }} |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
\ No newline at end of file
+          echo "| API Availability | ${{ needs.test-api-availability.result == 'success' && '✅ PASS' || '❌ FAIL' }} |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
+          echo "| RHEL8 Compatibility | ${{ needs.test-rhel8.result == 'success' && '✅ PASS' || '❌ FAIL' }} |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 5556993..9b4cb42 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -5,11 +5,29 @@ This is a GitHub Action that installs [buildcache](https://gitlab.com/bits-n-bit
 ## Project Overview
 
 **Purpose**: Automated installation of buildcache (a compilation caching tool) in GitHub Actions workflows
-**Platforms**: Linux (Ubuntu) and Windows
+**Platforms**: Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, RHEL, CentOS, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, Fedora) and Windows
 **Language**: GitHub Actions YAML with Bash and PowerShell scripts
 
 ## Key Architecture
 
+### Multi-Distribution Linux Support
+The action automatically detects the Linux distribution and uses the appropriate package manager:
+
+**Distribution Detection:**
+- Uses `/etc/os-release` to identify the distribution
+- Falls back to Debian-based behavior if detection fails
+
+**Package Management:**
+- **Debian-based** (Ubuntu, Debian): Uses `apt-get` to install `libssl1.1`
+- **RHEL-based** (RHEL 8, CentOS 8, Rocky Linux 8, AlmaLinux 8): Uses `dnf`/`yum` to install `openssl-libs` and `compat-openssl11`
+- **Fedora**: Uses `dnf` to install `openssl-libs`
+- **Unsupported**: Continues without dependency installation with a warning
+
+**OpenSSL Requirements:**
+- buildcache requires OpenSSL 1.1 libraries (libcrypto.so.1.1)
+- Ubuntu 24.04+ requires adding focal repository for libssl1.1
+- RHEL 8 requires `compat-openssl11` package from PowerTools/CodeReady repository
+
 ### Download URL Handling
 The action intelligently handles different download URL formats based on buildcache version:
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8708295..79b0ef5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ This GitHub Action installs [buildcache](https://gitlab.com/bits-n-bites/buildca
 ## Features
 
 - 🚀 Supports both Linux and Windows runners
+- 🐧 Multi-distro Linux support (Ubuntu, Debian, RHEL, CentOS, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, Fedora)
 - 🔧 Optional version specification (uses latest by default)
 - ✅ Automatically adds buildcache to PATH
 - 🧹 Cleans up temporary files after installation
@@ -69,9 +70,14 @@ jobs:
 
 ## Supported Platforms
 
-- ✅ Linux (ubuntu-latest, ubuntu-22.04, ubuntu-20.04)
+- ✅ Linux (ubuntu-latest, ubuntu-22.04, ubuntu-20.04, RHEL 8, CentOS 8, Rocky Linux 8, AlmaLinux 8)
 - ✅ Windows (windows-latest, windows-2022, windows-2019)
 
+The action automatically detects the Linux distribution and uses the appropriate package manager:
+- **Debian-based systems** (Ubuntu, Debian): Uses `apt-get` to install `libssl1.1`
+- **RHEL-based systems** (RHEL, CentOS, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux): Uses `dnf`/`yum` to install `openssl-libs` and `compat-openssl11` if needed
+- **Fedora**: Uses `dnf` to install `openssl-libs`
+
 ## Download URL Compatibility
 
 The action automatically handles different download URL formats based on the buildcache version:
@@ -153,9 +159,22 @@ buildcache version 0.28.1
 
 If you specify a version that doesn't exist, the action will fail. Check the [releases page](https://gitlab.com/bits-n-bites/buildcache/-/releases) for available versions.
 
+### OpenSSL libraries on RHEL 8
+
+On RHEL 8 systems, buildcache requires OpenSSL 1.1 compatibility libraries. The action will automatically attempt to install `compat-openssl11`. If this fails, you may need to enable the PowerTools (RHEL 8) or CodeReady Builder (CentOS 8) repository:
+
+```bash
+# RHEL 8
+sudo subscription-manager repos --enable codeready-builder-for-rhel-8-$(arch)-rpms
+
+# CentOS 8 / Rocky Linux 8 / AlmaLinux 8
+sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled powertools  # CentOS 8
+sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled PowerTools  # Rocky/Alma Linux 8
+```
+
 ### Permission errors on Linux
 
-The action uses `sudo` to install buildcache to `/usr/local/bin` on Linux. This should work on GitHub-hosted runners by default.
+The action uses `sudo` to install dependencies on Linux. This should work on GitHub-hosted runners by default.
 
 ## Testing
 
diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 25a4278..5cfb6e8 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -39,52 +39,102 @@ runs:
       if: runner.os == 'Linux'
       shell: bash
       run: |
-        VERSION="${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}"
-        echo "Installing buildcache $VERSION for Linux..."
+        BUILDCACHE_VERSION="${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}"
+        echo "Installing buildcache $BUILDCACHE_VERSION for Linux..."
         
-        # Install required dependencies
-        echo "Installing required dependencies..."
-        sudo apt-get update -qq
-        # Install OpenSSL 1.1 libraries (buildcache requires libcrypto.so.1.1)
-        if ! sudo apt-get install -y libssl1.1; then
-          echo "libssl1.1 not available in default repos, adding focal repo for compatibility..."
-          echo "deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/focal-security.list
-          sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 3B4FE6ACC0B21F32
-          sudo apt-get update -qq
-          sudo apt-get install -y libssl1.1
+        # Detect Linux distribution
+        if [ -f /etc/os-release ]; then
+          . /etc/os-release
+          DISTRO_ID=$ID
+          DISTRO_NAME=$NAME
+          echo "Detected Linux distribution: $DISTRO_NAME ($DISTRO_ID)"
+        else
+          echo "Warning: Cannot detect distribution, assuming Debian-based"
+          DISTRO_ID="debian"
         fi
         
+        # Install required dependencies based on distribution
+        echo "Installing required dependencies..."
+        case "$DISTRO_ID" in
+          ubuntu|debian)
+            # Debian-based systems
+            sudo apt-get update -qq
+            # Install OpenSSL 1.1 libraries (buildcache requires libcrypto.so.1.1)
+            if ! sudo apt-get install -y libssl1.1; then
+              echo "libssl1.1 not available in default repos, adding focal repo for compatibility..."
+              echo "deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/focal-security.list
+              sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 3B4FE6ACC0B21F32
+              sudo apt-get update -qq
+              sudo apt-get install -y libssl1.1
+            fi
+            ;;
+          rhel|centos|rocky|almalinux)
+            # RHEL-based systems (RHEL 8, CentOS 8, Rocky Linux 8, AlmaLinux 8)
+            # Check if dnf is available (RHEL 8+), otherwise use yum
+            if command -v dnf &> /dev/null; then
+              PKG_MGR="dnf"
+            else
+              PKG_MGR="yum"
+            fi
+            echo "Using package manager: $PKG_MGR"
+            
+            # Install OpenSSL libraries (buildcache requires OpenSSL 1.1)
+            sudo $PKG_MGR install -y openssl-libs || true
+            
+            # For RHEL 8, we may need compat-openssl11 package for older buildcache versions
+            # Check if OpenSSL 1.1 libraries are available
+            if ! find /usr/lib /usr/lib64 /lib /lib64 -name 'libcrypto.so.1.1' 2>/dev/null | grep -q .; then
+              echo "OpenSSL 1.1 not found, trying to install compat-openssl11..."
+              if ! sudo $PKG_MGR install -y compat-openssl11; then
+                echo "Warning: compat-openssl11 not available. Buildcache may require OpenSSL 1.1 compatibility libraries."
+                echo "Enable the appropriate repository:"
+                echo "  RHEL 8: sudo subscription-manager repos --enable codeready-builder-for-rhel-8-\$(arch)-rpms"
+                echo "  CentOS 8: sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled powertools"
+                echo "  Rocky/AlmaLinux 8: sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled PowerTools"
+              fi
+            fi
+            ;;
+          fedora)
+            # Fedora systems
+            sudo dnf install -y openssl-libs
+            ;;
+          *)
+            echo "Warning: Unsupported distribution '$DISTRO_ID'. Attempting to continue without dependency installation."
+            echo "Buildcache may require OpenSSL 1.1 libraries to be installed manually."
+            ;;
+        esac
+        
         # Determine download URL based on version
         # v0.31.4+ uses buildcache-linux-amd64.tar.gz
         # v0.31.3 and earlier use buildcache-linux.tar.gz
-        VERSION_NUM=${VERSION#v}
+        VERSION_NUM=${BUILDCACHE_VERSION#v}
         MAJOR=$(echo $VERSION_NUM | cut -d. -f1)
         MINOR=$(echo $VERSION_NUM | cut -d. -f2)
         PATCH=$(echo $VERSION_NUM | cut -d. -f3)
         
         if [[ $MAJOR -eq 0 && $MINOR -lt 30 ]]; then
           # v0.29.x and earlier use GitLab package registry
-          DOWNLOAD_URL="https://gitlab.com/api/v4/projects/49153623/packages/generic/releases/$VERSION/buildcache-linux.tar.gz"
-          echo "Using package registry URL for $VERSION (≤v0.29.x)"
+          DOWNLOAD_URL="https://gitlab.com/api/v4/projects/49153623/packages/generic/releases/$BUILDCACHE_VERSION/buildcache-linux.tar.gz"
+          echo "Using package registry URL for $BUILDCACHE_VERSION (≤v0.29.x)"
         elif [[ $MAJOR -gt 0 ]] || [[ $MAJOR -eq 0 && $MINOR -gt 31 ]] || [[ $MAJOR -eq 0 && $MINOR -eq 31 && $PATCH -ge 4 ]]; then
           # v0.31.4+ uses buildcache-linux-amd64.tar.gz
-          DOWNLOAD_URL="https://gitlab.com/bits-n-bites/buildcache/-/releases/$VERSION/downloads/buildcache-linux-amd64.tar.gz"
-          echo "Using new URL format for $VERSION (v0.31.4+)"
+          DOWNLOAD_URL="https://gitlab.com/bits-n-bites/buildcache/-/releases/$BUILDCACHE_VERSION/downloads/buildcache-linux-amd64.tar.gz"
+          echo "Using new URL format for $BUILDCACHE_VERSION (v0.31.4+)"
         else
           # v0.30.0 to v0.31.3 use buildcache-linux.tar.gz
-          DOWNLOAD_URL="https://gitlab.com/bits-n-bites/buildcache/-/releases/$VERSION/downloads/buildcache-linux.tar.gz"
-          echo "Using legacy URL format for $VERSION (v0.30.0-v0.31.3)"
+          DOWNLOAD_URL="https://gitlab.com/bits-n-bites/buildcache/-/releases/$BUILDCACHE_VERSION/downloads/buildcache-linux.tar.gz"
+          echo "Using legacy URL format for $BUILDCACHE_VERSION (v0.30.0-v0.31.3)"
         fi
         
         # Download with error handling
         if ! curl -L "$DOWNLOAD_URL" -o buildcache.tar.gz --fail; then
-          echo "Error: Failed to download buildcache $VERSION. Please check if this version exists."
+          echo "Error: Failed to download buildcache $BUILDCACHE_VERSION. Please check if this version exists."
           echo "Available releases: https://gitlab.com/bits-n-bites/buildcache/-/releases"
           exit 1
         fi
         
         # Create installation directory
-        INSTALL_DIR="$HOME/.local/buildcache-$VERSION"
+        INSTALL_DIR="$HOME/.local/buildcache-$BUILDCACHE_VERSION"
         mkdir -p "$INSTALL_DIR"
         
         # Extract with error handling
@@ -129,7 +179,7 @@ runs:
         
         # Show where buildcache was installed
         INSTALLED_PATH=$(which buildcache)
-        echo "buildcache $VERSION installed successfully on Linux"
+        echo "buildcache $BUILDCACHE_VERSION installed successfully on Linux"
         echo "Binary location: $INSTALLED_PATH"
         echo "Installation directory: $BINARY_PATH"