OpenRC is a dependency-based init system used primarily in the Gentoo Linux distribution. It manages system services and their startup order, allowing for efficient booting and service management. OpenRC is designed to be simple and flexible, making it easy for users to customize their system. Unlike traditional init systems, OpenRC does not rely on systemd and instead uses shell scripts to control services. This approach allows for better compatibility with various Unix-like operating systems. OpenRC supports parallel service startup, which can speed up the boot process and improve overall system performance.