How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

the_strange · 2022-02-18 08:20:52

Hello everyone, as the title suggests, I would like to create my own kind of "custom distro" to avoid having to install everything every time.

I already use various tools, such as the arch gui installer, various scripts of my own that I use where I installed arch, etc.
Having to use arch on various machines and often finding myself uninstalling and then reinstalling arch, I thought calmly, to create my own distro customizing so that once the classic system installation was finished everything was already set up with programs, desktop settings, etc:

I also thought about cloning the system but then I would have problems with the drivers of the various machines, so I also discarded this option.

I already state that, I have not the slightest intention of redistributing this distro, I do not want (and I am not able) to improve arch, I do not want to put custom mirrors. In a nutshell I want to create a customized distro for my own business to speed up my work.

Sorry for my English

Last edited by the_strange (2022-02-18 08:42:53)

V1del · 2022-02-18 09:50:01

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Archiso

Has everything to get you started on spinning up a custom ISO with your own set of packages, note that the arch GUI installer is not an affiliated and nor an endorsed project, so if you have questions in regard to explicitly that you need to ask on their support channels.

Other than that this is such a broadly and open ended question that it's basically the picture book definition of a help vampire question. If the wiki link isn't sufficient for any reason, make your question more focused on what exactly you want to do and with actable tasks and questions

Head_on_a_Stick · 2022-02-18 13:11:35

Perhaps also consider Ansible or one of the other configuration management solutions.

the_strange · 2022-02-19 12:26:47

Thanks for the answers, archiso I had already seen it some time ago but I was unable to "take with me" the graphical installer with which I installed this version of archlinux...

Slithery · 2022-02-19 12:46:57

There are no 'versions' of Arch Linux.

If you used an unsupported graphical installer then you aren't running Arch and won't be given support on these forums, as the rules that you agree to when you signed up stated...

Forum Rules wrote:

These forums are for Arch Linux x86_64 ONLY.
Not Antegros, or Apricity, or Manjaro, or any of the "easy Arch installers", nor Arch-ARM; nothing other than vanilla 64-bit Arch Linux. Ask those communities for support.
If you have installed Arch, please read the rules before posting. README: Forum Rules.

Code of Conduct - Arch Linux distribution support ONLY wrote:

Arch-based distributions have their own support fora and users of those distributions should be actively encouraged to seek support there. These distributions often use different packages, package versions, repositories, or make custom system configurations silently, practically rendering support for such projects within Arch Linux impossible. Community technical support shall only be provided for the Arch Linux distribution and the Arch User Repository. Posting issues with, and requesting support for, derivative distributions or operating systems other than Arch Linux are prohibited.

the_strange · 2022-02-19 20:12:10

Slithery wrote:

There are no 'versions' of Arch Linux.
If you used an unsupported graphical installer then you aren't running Arch and won't be given support on these forums, as the rules that you agree to when you signed up stated...
Forum Rules wrote:
These forums are for Arch Linux x86_64 ONLY.
Not Antegros, or Apricity, or Manjaro, or any of the "easy Arch installers", nor Arch-ARM; nothing other than vanilla 64-bit Arch Linux. Ask those communities for support.
If you have installed Arch, please read the rules before posting. README: Forum Rules.
Code of Conduct - Arch Linux distribution support ONLY wrote:
Arch-based distributions have their own support fora and users of those distributions should be actively encouraged to seek support there. These distributions often use different packages, package versions, repositories, or make custom system configurations silently, practically rendering support for such projects within Arch Linux impossible. Community technical support shall only be provided for the Arch Linux distribution and the Arch User Repository. Posting issues with, and requesting support for, derivative distributions or operating systems other than Arch Linux are prohibited.

I have not installed any derivative of arch linux, so I have not installed neither manjaro nor Antegros and Apricity I have never even heard of it, with archisio I did various tests months ago and I never managed to pass the graphic configurations of my machine , that is Desktop settings. The iso installed everything for me as if it were a vanilla version, I also went to copy my folders to the workfolder to make sure it worked but I never succeeded. I still apologize for my English

Slithery · 2022-02-19 20:27:53

Which graphical installer are you talking about?

Head_on_a_Stick · 2022-02-19 22:21:05

the_strange wrote:

[The iso installed everything for me as if it were a vanilla version

There is no such thing as a "vanilla" version of Arch. It is an entirely custom distribution.

The official methods of installation are supported because we can easily determine the system configuration. That does not appear to be the case for your method, which is why we cannot support it here.

the_strange · 2022-02-20 10:13:15

I saw the program in an American / English video, however in fact you told me not to use a graphical installer and so I did, yesterday I used the classic command line installer (archinstall), so I installed a basic system dia arch, then I installed xfce and to do a quick test I installed archiso.

I created a working folder, putting in the package file the packages I usually use, and in the skel folder (always in the working one) some simple configurations such as the themes folder, but when I create the iso and try to install it on a virtual machine , I don't understand why the installer restarts.

Head_on_a_Stick · 2022-02-20 10:17:34

the_strange wrote:

I don't understand why the installer restarts.

Which "installer" is this? Please share any and all configuration files relating to archiso and this mysterious installer of which you speak.

the_strange · 2022-02-20 10:24:27

My bad English is most likely causing problems, but hasn't archlinux introduced an installer on the live cd for almost a year? When you run the live it starts by running the command "archinstall"?

Head_on_a_Stick · 2022-02-20 10:32:22

Yes, that's right.

I presume you're using the releng profile for archiso? Have you made any modifications? If so then please share them here.

the_strange · 2022-02-20 11:00:15

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:

Yes, that's right.
I presume you're using the releng profile for archiso? Have you made any modifications? If so then please share them here.

Yes right I used the releng profile, for now the only changes I have done (I'm doing some tests) is to put some packages in the packages file, if you want I will copy it to you but they are only package names, if you make me the list of the files of configuration you need I'll copy them.

However then as I start the iso restarts the arch live cd without starting the system

Head_on_a_Stick · 2022-02-20 14:52:31

Just adding packages and configuration files under releng/ will not make archinstall place them in the installed system. The packages and configuration will only be available in the live environment.

I think you need to create a configuration file for archinstall and also make a custom profile.

Arch Linux

#1 2022-02-18 08:20:52

How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#2 2022-02-18 09:50:01

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#3 2022-02-18 13:11:35

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#4 2022-02-19 12:26:47

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#5 2022-02-19 12:46:57

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#6 2022-02-19 20:12:10

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#7 2022-02-19 20:27:53

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#8 2022-02-19 22:21:05

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#9 2022-02-20 10:13:15

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#10 2022-02-20 10:17:34

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#11 2022-02-20 10:24:27

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#12 2022-02-20 10:32:22

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#13 2022-02-20 11:00:15

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

#14 2022-02-20 14:52:31

Re: How to create my own distro customize to not always install everything

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