Sounds like an headless install.
I never actually have used RPI OS, mostly due to the fact that I started with different SBCs (Pine64, NanoPI $ the infamous PocketCHIP) before I ever bought an RPi4. Which is currently running DietPi. But bound to my 3D Printer.
Anyway, I can actually recommend DietPi as an alternative. Especially when you’re going headless. In short, check their distrostats as well as their optimized and officially supported software stack.
But I can’t really change their color scheme / branding and the (in my opinion) awful logo 
