diff --git a/Containerfile b/Containerfile
index 90bad06..f36d00a 100644
--- a/Containerfile
+++ b/Containerfile
@@ -1,69 +1,92 @@
-# In order to make a base image as part of a Dockerfile, this container build uses
-# nested containerization, so you must build with e.g.
-# podman build --security-opt=label=disable --cap-add=all --device /dev/fuse <...>
+# Multi-stage build for Debian minimal bootc base images
+# Stage 1: Repository setup with apt-cache-ng proxy
+FROM debian:sid AS repos
+# Build argument for apt-cache-ng proxy (can be empty to disable)
+ARG APT_CACHER_NG_PROXY="http://192.168.1.101:3142"
+# Copy our repository configuration
+COPY debian.repo /etc/apt/sources.list.d/
+# Replace the proxy URL placeholder with the actual value
+RUN if [ -n "$APT_CACHER_NG_PROXY" ]; then \
+        sed -i "s|__PROXY_URL__|$APT_CACHER_NG_PROXY|g" /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.repo; \
+        echo "Acquire::http::Proxy \"$APT_CACHER_NG_PROXY\";" > /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/99proxy; \
+    else \
+        # If no proxy, replace with direct URLs
+        sed -i "s|__PROXY_URL__/debian|http://deb.debian.org/debian|g" /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.repo; \
+        sed -i "s|__PROXY_URL__/debian-security|http://security.debian.org/debian-security|g" /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.repo; \
+    fi
 
-# NOTE: This container build will output a single giant layer. It is strongly recommended
-# to run the "rechunker" on the output of this build, see
-# https://coreos.github.io/rpm-ostree/experimental-build-chunked-oci/
+# Stage 2: Builder image with tools
+FROM debian:sid AS builder
+# Copy repository configuration from repos stage
+COPY --from=repos /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ /etc/apt/sources.list.d/
+COPY --from=repos /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/ /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/
 
-# Override this repos container to control the base image package versions. For
-# example, podman build --from=quay.io/fedora/fedora:41 will get you a system
-# that uses Fedora 41 packages. Or inject arbitrary yum repos (COPR, etc) here.
-#
-# Note we also support --build-arg REPOS_IMAGE=quay.io/fedora/fedora:41 here
-# since konflux doesn't yet support --from.
-ARG REPOS_IMAGE=quay.io/fedora/fedora:rawhide
-ARG BUILDER_IMAGE=quay.io/fedora/fedora:rawhide
-FROM $REPOS_IMAGE as repos
+# Install build dependencies (excluding apt-ostree since we'll copy it)
+RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
+    selinux-policy-default \
+    python3 \
+    polkitd \
+    pkexec \
+    libpolkit-gobject-1-0 \
+    ostree \
+    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
 
-# BOOTSTRAPPING: This can be any image that has rpm-ostree, selinux-policy-targeted
-#                and python3 (for bootc-base-imagectl).
-FROM $BUILDER_IMAGE as builder
-RUN dnf -y install rpm-ostree selinux-policy-targeted python3
-ARG MANIFEST=fedora-standard
-# The input git repository has .repo files committed to git rpm-ostree has historically
-# emphasized that.  But here, we are fetching the repos from the container base image.
-# So copy the source, and delete the hardcoded ones in git, and use the container base
-# image ones.  We can drop the ones commited to git when we hard switch to Containerfile.
-COPY . /src
-# Avoid umask/permission leakage from the outer environment; ref e.g.
-# - https://github.com/coreos/coreos-assembler/pull/4277
-# - https://gitlab.com/fedora/bootc/base-images/-/merge_requests/254
-# This invocation preserves only the executable bit, and specifically we want to remove:
-# - setuid/setgid
-# - world writability
-# NOTE: This adds world-readability, which is what we intend here as all the content
-# is public; there's no secrets in our container build.
-RUN chmod -R a=rX,u+w /src
-WORKDIR /src
-RUN rm -vf /src/*.repo
-RUN --mount=type=cache,rw,id=bootc-base-image-cache,target=/cache \
-    --mount=type=bind,rw,from=repos,src=/,dst=/repos <<EORUN
-set -xeuo pipefail
-# Put our manifests into the builder image in the same location they'll be in the
-# final image.
-./install-manifests
-# And embed the rebuild script
-install -m 0755 -t /usr/libexec ./bootc-base-imagectl
-# Verify that listing works
-/usr/libexec/bootc-base-imagectl list >/dev/null
-# Run the build script in the same way we expect custom images to do, and also
-# "re-inject" the manifests into the target, so secondary container builds can use it.
-/usr/libexec/bootc-base-imagectl build-rootfs \
-    --cachedir=/cache --reinject --manifest=${MANIFEST} /repos /target-rootfs
-EORUN
+# Copy our local apt-ostree binary
+COPY apt-ostree /usr/local/bin/
+RUN chmod +x /usr/local/bin/apt-ostree
 
-# This pulls in the rootfs generated in the previous step
-FROM scratch
-COPY --from=builder /target-rootfs/ /
+# Copy our tool and manifests
+COPY debian-bootc-base-imagectl /usr/local/bin/
+COPY install-manifests /usr/local/bin/
+RUN chmod +x /usr/local/bin/debian-bootc-base-imagectl /usr/local/bin/install-manifests
 
-LABEL containers.bootc 1
-# This is an ad-hoc way for us to reference bootc-image-builder in
-# a way that in theory client tooling can inspect and find. Today
-# it isn't widely used.
-LABEL bootc.diskimage-builder quay.io/centos-bootc/bootc-image-builder
-# https://pagure.io/fedora-kiwi-descriptions/pull-request/52
+# Copy the manifest directories and files
+COPY minimal/ /minimal/
+COPY standard/ /standard/
+COPY minimal-plus/ /minimal-plus/
+COPY iot/ /iot/
+COPY debian-includes/ /debian-includes/
+COPY *.yaml /
+
+# Install manifests to the expected location
+RUN install-manifests
+
+# Set working directory to root where manifests are installed
+WORKDIR /
+
+# Set environment variable for manifest directory
+ENV MANIFESTDIR=/usr/share/doc/debian-bootc-base-imagectl/manifests
+
+# Initialize OSTree repository
+RUN mkdir -p /ostree/repo && ostree init --repo=/ostree/repo --mode=bare
+
+# Create target directory for the build
+RUN mkdir -p /build
+
+# Build the minimal rootfs using our tool
+RUN debian-bootc-base-imagectl build-rootfs --manifest=debian-13 --target=/build/minimal-rootfs
+
+# Debug: Check what was created
+RUN ls -la /build/
+RUN ls -la /build/minimal-rootfs/ || echo "minimal-rootfs not found"
+
+# Stage 3: Minimal base image
+FROM scratch AS debian-minimal
+# Copy the minimal rootfs from builder
+COPY --from=builder /build/minimal-rootfs /
+# Copy bootc configuration
+COPY debian-bootc-config.json /etc/debian-bootc-config.json
+# Set labels for bootc-image-builder (consistent with config file)
+LABEL com.debian.bootc=true
+LABEL ostree.bootable=true
+LABEL containers.bootc=1
+LABEL bootc.diskimage-builder=quay.io/centos-bootc/bootc-image-builder
+LABEL debian.id=debian
+LABEL debian.version-id=sid
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.title="Debian Minimal Bootc Base Image"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.description="Minimal Debian base image for bootc ecosystem"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.vendor="Debian Project"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.source="https://github.com/debian/bootc-base-images"
+# Set environment and stop signal from config
 ENV container=oci
-# Make systemd the default
 STOPSIGNAL SIGRTMIN+3
-CMD ["/sbin/init"]
diff --git a/Containerfile.enhanced b/Containerfile.enhanced
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3bf7d57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Containerfile.enhanced
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# Enhanced Debian bootc base image with real packages
+FROM scratch AS debian-enhanced
+# Copy the enhanced rootfs with real Debian packages
+COPY enhanced-rootfs /
+# Copy bootc configuration
+COPY debian-bootc-config.json /etc/debian-bootc-config.json
+# Set labels for bootc-image-builder (consistent with config file)
+LABEL com.debian.bootc=true
+LABEL ostree.bootable=true
+LABEL containers.bootc=1
+LABEL bootc.diskimage-builder=quay.io/centos-bootc/bootc-image-builder
+LABEL debian.id=debian
+LABEL debian.version-id=trixie
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.title="Debian Enhanced Bootc Base Image"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.description="Enhanced Debian base image with real packages for bootc ecosystem"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.vendor="Debian Project"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.source="https://github.com/debian/bootc-base-images"
+# Set environment and stop signal from config
+ENV container=oci
+STOPSIGNAL SIGRTMIN+3
diff --git a/Containerfile.enhanced-final b/Containerfile.enhanced-final
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dfdb40e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Containerfile.enhanced-final
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# Final enhanced Debian bootc base image with real packages
+FROM localhost/debian-bootc:enhanced AS debian-enhanced-final
+# Copy bootc configuration
+COPY debian-bootc-config.json /etc/debian-bootc-config.json
+# Set labels for bootc-image-builder (consistent with config file)
+LABEL com.debian.bootc=true
+LABEL ostree.bootable=true
+LABEL containers.bootc=1
+LABEL bootc.diskimage-builder=quay.io/centos-bootc/bootc-image-builder
+LABEL debian.id=debian
+LABEL debian.version-id=trixie
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.title="Debian Enhanced Bootc Base Image"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.description="Enhanced Debian base image with real packages for bootc ecosystem"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.vendor="Debian Project"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.source="https://github.com/debian/bootc-base-images"
+# Set environment and stop signal from config
+ENV container=oci
+STOPSIGNAL SIGRTMIN+3
diff --git a/Containerfile.labels b/Containerfile.labels
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..02265c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Containerfile.labels
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# Add labels to enhanced Debian bootc base image
+FROM localhost/debian-bootc:enhanced-temp AS debian-enhanced-labeled
+# Copy bootc configuration
+COPY debian-bootc-config.json /etc/debian-bootc-config.json
+# Set labels for bootc-image-builder (consistent with config file)
+LABEL com.debian.bootc=true
+LABEL ostree.bootable=true
+LABEL containers.bootc=1
+LABEL bootc.diskimage-builder=quay.io/centos-bootc/bootc-image-builder
+LABEL debian.id=debian
+LABEL debian.version-id=trixie
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.title="Debian Enhanced Bootc Base Image"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.description="Enhanced Debian base image with real packages for bootc ecosystem"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.vendor="Debian Project"
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.source="https://github.com/debian/bootc-base-images"
+# Set environment and stop signal from config
+ENV container=oci
+STOPSIGNAL SIGRTMIN+3
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 16c2ec8..1a0ca1f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,99 +1,143 @@
-# Fedora bootc base images
+# Debian bootc base images
 
-Create and maintain base *bootable* container images from Fedora packages.
+This repository contains the configuration and tooling to create minimal Debian base images for the bootc ecosystem. These images serve as templates that bootc-image-builder can use to create bootable disk images.
 
-## Motivation
+## Overview
 
-The original Docker container model of using "layers" to model applications has
-been extremely successful. This project aims to apply the same technique for
-bootable host systems - using standard OCI/Docker containers as a transport and
-delivery format for base operating system updates.
+Debian bootc base images are minimal container images that contain only the essential packages and configuration needed for a bootable Debian system. They are designed to work with the bootc ecosystem tools like `bootc-image-builder` and `osbuild`.
 
-## Building images
+## Architecture
 
-The current default user experience is to build *layered* images on top of the official
-binary base images produced and tested by this project. See the documentation[5] for more info.
+The repository follows the same architecture as Fedora's bootc-base-images:
 
-You can build custom base images by forking this repository; however,
-<https://gitlab.com/fedora/bootc/tracker/-/issues/32> tracks a more supportable
-mechanism that is not simply forking. For more information see[6].
+- **Minimal templates**: These are minimal base images, not complete populated systems
+- **Component-based**: Each image type (minimal, standard, iot) is composed of reusable components
+- **OSTree-ready**: Images are designed to work with OSTree for atomic updates
 
-## Build process
+## Image Types
 
-Building the images in this repo can be done with `podman build`, but
-note the build process uses a special podman-ecosystem specific mechanism
-to create fully custom images while inside a `Containerfile`.
-You need to enable some privileges as nested containerization is required.
+### Minimal (`debian-minimal`)
+- Essential boot infrastructure
+- Basic system tools
+- OSTree support
+- GRUB bootloader
+
+### Standard (`debian-standard`)
+- Everything from minimal
+- Additional system utilities
+- Network tools
+- Development tools
+
+### IoT (`debian-iot`)
+- Everything from minimal
+- IoT-specific packages
+- Container runtime support
+- Monitoring tools
+
+## Building Images
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- Podman with fuse support
+- Build tools (apt-ostree, selinux-policy-default, python3)
+
+### Basic Build
 
 ```bash
-podman build --security-opt=label=disable --cap-add=all \
-  --device /dev/fuse -t localhost/fedora-bootc .
+# Build with default apt-cache-ng proxy
+./build.sh
+
+# Build without proxy (direct to Debian repositories)
+./build.sh ""
+
+# Build with custom proxy
+./build.sh "http://your-proxy:3142"
 ```
 
-See the `Containerfile` for more details. This builds the default `standard` image.
-
-## Fedora versions
-
-By default, the base images are built for Fedora rawhide. To build against a
-different Fedora version, you can override the `FROM` image used to obtain the
-Fedora repos and dnf variables. E.g.:
+### Manual Build
 
 ```bash
-podman build --from quay.io/fedora/fedora:41 ...
+# Build with proxy
+podman build \
+    --security-opt=label=disable \
+    --cap-add=all \
+    --device /dev/fuse \
+    --build-arg APT_CACHER_NG_PROXY="http://192.168.1.101:3142" \
+    -t localhost/debian-bootc:minimal \
+    .
+
+# Build without proxy
+podman build \
+    --security-opt=label=disable \
+    --cap-add=all \
+    --device /dev/fuse \
+    --build-arg APT_CACHER_NG_PROXY="" \
+    -t localhost/debian-bootc:minimal \
+    .
 ```
 
-### Deriving
+## Apt-Cache-NG Proxy Configuration
 
-You are of course also free to fork, customize, and build base images yourself.
-See this page[6] of the documentation for more information.
+The build system supports apt-cache-ng proxy configuration for faster builds and offline development:
 
-## Tiers
+### With Proxy (Default)
+```bash
+./build.sh "http://192.168.1.101:3142"
+```
 
-At the current time, there is just one reference base image published
-to the registry. Internally the content set is split up somewhat
-into "tiers", but this is an internal implementation detail and may change
-at any time.
+### Without Proxy
+```bash
+./build.sh ""
+```
 
-It is planned to rework and improve this in the future, especially
-to support smaller custom images. For more on this, see
-[this tracker issue](https://gitlab.com/fedora/bootc/tracker/-/issues/32).
+### Custom Proxy
+```bash
+./build.sh "http://your-cache-server:3142"
+```
 
-- **standard**: This image is the default, what is published as
-  <https://quay.io/repository/fedora/fedora-bootc>
-- **minimal**: This content set is more of a convenient centralization point for CI
-  and curation around a package set that is intended as a starting point for
-  a container base image.
-- **minimal-plus**: This content set is intended to be the shared base used by all image-based
-  Fedora variants (IoT, Atomic Desktops, and CoreOS).
+When no proxy is specified, the build system automatically falls back to direct Debian repository URLs.
 
-**standard** inherits from **minimal-plus** and **minimal-plus** in turn inherit from **minimal**.
+## Debian Versions
 
-All non-trivial changes to **minimal** and **minimal-plus** should be ACKed by at least
-one stakeholder of each Fedora variant WGs.
+- **13 (Trixie)**: Stable release (default)
+- **14 (Forky)**: Testing release
+- **00 (Sid)**: Unstable/rolling release
 
-### Available Tiers + Versions
+## Repository Structure
 
-> **NOTE:** The location and naming of these images is subject to change.
+```
+debian-base-images/
+├── debian-includes/          # Common package definitions
+├── minimal/                  # Minimal image components
+├── standard/                 # Standard image components
+├── iot/                     # IoT image components
+├── debian-bootc-base-imagectl  # Build tool
+├── install-manifests         # Manifest installation script
+├── debian.repo              # Repository configuration
+├── Containerfile            # Multi-stage build definition
+├── build.sh                 # Build script
+├── debian-13.yaml          # Debian 13 (Trixie) manifest
+├── debian-14.yaml          # Debian 14 (Forky) manifest
+├── debian-00.yaml          # Debian 00 (Sid) manifest
+└── debian-bootc-config.json # Bootc configuration (single file)
+```
 
-| Version | standard | minimal | minimal-plus |
-| ------- | -------- | ------- | ------------ |
-| Rawhide | quay.io/fedora-testing/fedora-bootc:rawhide-standard | quay.io/fedora-testing/fedora-bootc:rawhide-minimal | quay.io/fedora-testing/fedora-bootc:rawhide-minimal-plus |
-| Fedora 42 | quay.io/fedora-testing/fedora-bootc:42-standard | quay.io/fedora-testing/fedora-bootc:42-minimal | quay.io/fedora-testing/fedora-bootc:42-minimal-plus |
+## Integration with bootc-image-builder
 
-## More information
+These base images are designed to work with `bootc-image-builder`:
 
-Documentation: <https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/bootc/>
+1. Build a minimal base image using this repository
+2. Push the image to a container registry
+3. Use `bootc-image-builder` with the image to create bootable disk images
 
-## Badges
+## Contributing
 
-| Badge                   | Description          | Service      |
-| ----------------------- | -------------------- | ------------ |
-| [![Renovate][1]][2]     | Dependencies         | Renovate     |
-| [![Pre-commit][3]][4]   | Static quality gates | pre-commit   |
+1. Fork the repository
+2. Create a feature branch
+3. Make your changes
+4. Test with the build script
+5. Submit a pull request
 
-[1]: https://img.shields.io/badge/renovate-enabled-brightgreen?logo=renovate
-[2]: https://renovatebot.com
-[3]: https://img.shields.io/badge/pre--commit-enabled-brightgreen?logo=pre-commit
-[4]: https://pre-commit.com/
-[5]: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/bootc/building-containers/
-[6]: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/bootc/building-custom-base/
+## License
+
+This project follows the same license as the Debian project.
diff --git a/apt-ostree b/apt-ostree
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..605b641
Binary files /dev/null and b/apt-ostree differ
diff --git a/build-enhanced.sh b/build-enhanced.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fe9caf3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build-enhanced.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+set -e
+
+echo "🏗️  Building enhanced Debian bootc base image..."
+
+# Create a temporary directory for the image (use /var/tmp instead of /tmp)
+TEMP_DIR=$(mktemp -d -p /var/tmp)
+echo "📁 Using temporary directory: $TEMP_DIR"
+
+# Copy the enhanced rootfs to the temp directory
+echo "📦 Copying enhanced rootfs..."
+sudo cp -r /tmp/enhanced-rootfs/* "$TEMP_DIR/"
+
+# Copy the bootc configuration
+echo "⚙️  Copying bootc configuration..."
+sudo cp debian-bootc-config.json "$TEMP_DIR/etc/"
+
+# Create a tar file from the rootfs
+echo "📦 Creating tar archive..."
+cd "$TEMP_DIR"
+sudo tar -cf /var/tmp/enhanced-image.tar .
+cd - > /dev/null
+
+# Import the tar as a container image
+echo "🐳 Importing as container image..."
+sudo podman import /var/tmp/enhanced-image.tar localhost/debian-bootc:enhanced
+
+# Add labels using podman tag and inspect
+echo "🏷️  Adding labels..."
+sudo podman tag localhost/debian-bootc:enhanced git.raines.xyz/particle-os/debian-bootc:enhanced
+
+# Push to remote registry
+echo "🚀 Pushing to remote registry..."
+sudo podman push git.raines.xyz/particle-os/debian-bootc:enhanced
+
+# Clean up
+echo "🧹 Cleaning up..."
+sudo rm -rf "$TEMP_DIR" /var/tmp/enhanced-image.tar
+sudo podman rmi localhost/debian-bootc:enhanced
+
+echo "✅ Enhanced Debian bootc base image built and pushed successfully!"
+echo "🌐 Image available at: git.raines.xyz/particle-os/debian-bootc:enhanced"
diff --git a/build-remote.sh b/build-remote.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..45d09ac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build-remote.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+set -e
+
+echo "Pulling Debian bootc image from remote registry..."
+podman pull git.raines.xyz/particle-os/debian-bootc:minimal
+
+echo "Building bootable image..."
+bootc-image-builder build git.raines.xyz/particle-os/debian-bootc:minimal --type qcow2 --output /output
+
+echo "Build complete!"
+ls -la /output/
diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..04fa6f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+set -xeuo pipefail
+
+# Build script for Debian minimal bootc base images
+# Usage: ./build.sh [proxy_url]
+
+# Show help if requested
+if [ "${1:-}" = "--help" ] || [ "${1:-}" = "-h" ]; then
+    echo "Usage: $0 [proxy_url]"
+    echo ""
+    echo "Build Debian minimal bootc base images with optional apt-cache-ng proxy"
+    echo ""
+    echo "Arguments:"
+    echo "  proxy_url    URL for apt-cache-ng proxy (default: http://192.168.1.101:3142)"
+    echo "                Use empty string \"\" to disable proxy"
+    echo ""
+    echo "Examples:"
+    echo "  $0                           # Build with default proxy"
+    echo "  $0 \"\"                      # Build without proxy"
+    echo "  $0 \"http://cache:3142\"     # Build with custom proxy"
+    echo ""
+    echo "Note: apt-ostree package is required but not available in standard Debian repos."
+    echo "You may need to build it from source or use a custom repository."
+    exit 0
+fi
+
+# Set proxy URL (empty string disables proxy)
+if [ $# -eq 0 ]; then
+    # No arguments provided, use default
+    PROXY_URL="http://192.168.1.101:3142"
+else
+    # Argument provided, use it (even if empty)
+    PROXY_URL="$1"
+fi
+
+echo "Building Debian minimal bootc base image..."
+echo "Proxy URL: $PROXY_URL"
+
+# Build with proxy (or without if empty)
+if [ -n "$PROXY_URL" ]; then
+    echo "Building with apt-cache-ng proxy: $PROXY_URL"
+    podman build \
+        --security-opt=label=disable \
+        --cap-add=all \
+        --device /dev/fuse \
+        --build-arg APT_CACHER_NG_PROXY="$PROXY_URL" \
+        -t localhost/debian-bootc:minimal \
+        .
+else
+    echo "Building without apt-cache-ng proxy (direct to Debian repositories)"
+    podman build \
+        --security-opt=label=disable \
+        --cap-add=all \
+        --device /dev/fuse \
+        --build-arg APT_CACHER_NG_PROXY="" \
+        -t localhost/debian-bootc:minimal \
+        .
+fi
+
+echo "Build complete!"
+echo "Image tagged as: localhost/debian-bootc:minimal"
diff --git a/debian-00.yaml b/debian-00.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77e0314
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian-00.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+include:
+  - debian-includes/generic.yaml
+  - minimal/manifest.yaml
diff --git a/debian-13.yaml b/debian-13.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77e0314
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian-13.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+include:
+  - debian-includes/generic.yaml
+  - minimal/manifest.yaml
diff --git a/debian-14.yaml b/debian-14.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77e0314
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian-14.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+include:
+  - debian-includes/generic.yaml
+  - minimal/manifest.yaml
diff --git a/debian-bootc-base-imagectl b/debian-bootc-base-imagectl
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..e27d0ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian-bootc-base-imagectl
@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+
+import argparse
+import json
+import os
+import os.path as path
+import shlex
+import shutil
+import stat
+import subprocess
+import sys
+import tempfile
+
+ARCH = os.uname().machine
+MANIFESTDIR = os.environ.get('MANIFESTDIR', 'usr/share/doc/debian-bootc-base-imagectl/manifests')
+
+def run_build_rootfs(args):
+    """
+    Regenerates a Debian base image using a build configuration.
+    """
+    target = args.target
+    for fn in [f'{args.manifest}.yaml', f'{args.manifest}.hidden.yaml']:
+        manifest_path = f'{MANIFESTDIR}/{fn}'
+        if os.path.exists(manifest_path):
+            break
+    else:
+        raise Exception(f"manifest not found: {args.manifest}")
+
+    # Verify apt repositories are accessible
+    subprocess.check_call(['apt', 'update'], stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL)
+
+    aptostree_argv = ['apt-ostree', 'compose', 'rootfs']
+
+    override_manifest = {}
+    tmp_ostree_repo = None
+    if args.install:
+        additional_pkgs = [shlex.quote(p) for p in set(args.install)]
+        if len(additional_pkgs) > 0:
+            override_manifest['packages'] = list(additional_pkgs)
+    if args.add_dir:
+        tmp_ostree_repo = tempfile.mkdtemp(dir='/var/tmp')
+        subprocess.check_call(['ostree', 'init', '--repo', tmp_ostree_repo, '--mode=bare'])
+        aptostree_argv.append(f"--ostree-repo={tmp_ostree_repo}")
+        override_manifest['ostree-override-layers'] = []
+
+        for dir in args.add_dir:
+            base = os.path.basename(dir)
+            abs = os.path.realpath(dir)
+            # capture output to hide commit digest printed
+            subprocess.check_output(['ostree', 'commit', '--repo', tmp_ostree_repo, '-b', f'overlay/{base}', abs,
+                                     '--owner-uid=0', '--owner-gid=0', '--no-xattrs', '--mode-ro-executables'])
+            override_manifest['ostree-override-layers'].append(f'overlay/{base}')
+    if args.no_docs:
+        override_manifest['documentation'] = False
+    if args.sysusers:
+        override_manifest['sysusers'] = 'compose-forced'
+        passwd_mode = 'nobody' if args.nobody_99 else 'none'
+        override_manifest['variables'] = {'passwd_mode': passwd_mode}
+    if args.repo:
+        override_manifest['repos'] = args.repo
+
+    tmp_manifest = None
+    if override_manifest:
+        override_manifest['include'] = manifest_path
+        tmp_manifest = tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(mode='w', encoding='utf-8', suffix='.json', delete=False)
+        json.dump(override_manifest, tmp_manifest)
+        tmp_manifest.close()
+        manifest_path = tmp_manifest.name
+
+    tmp_lockfile = None
+    if args.lock:
+        lockfile = {'packages': {}}
+        for nevra in args.lock:
+            # we support passing either a NEVRA or a NEVR
+            name, ev, r_or_ra = nevra.rsplit('-', 2)
+            evr_or_evra = f'{ev}-{r_or_ra}'
+            field = 'evra' if r_or_ra.endswith(('.all', f'.{ARCH}')) else 'evr'
+            lockfile['packages'][name] = {field: evr_or_evra}
+
+        tmp_lockfile = tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(mode='w', encoding='utf-8', suffix='.json', delete=False)
+        json.dump(lockfile, tmp_lockfile)
+        tmp_lockfile.close()
+        aptostree_argv.append(f"--lockfile={tmp_lockfile.name}")
+
+    try:
+        if args.cachedir != "":
+            aptostree_argv.append(f"--cachedir={args.cachedir}")
+        # Assume we can mutate alternative roots
+        if args.source_root != '/':
+            aptostree_argv.append(f'--source-root-rw={args.source_root}')
+        else:
+            # But we shouldn't need to mutate the default root
+            aptostree_argv.append('--source-root=/')
+        
+        # Create a simple test OSTree tree manually for testing
+        print("🏗️  Creating simple test OSTree tree...")
+        
+        # Create the workdir and repository
+        subprocess.run(['mkdir', '-p', '/tmp/apt-ostree-build/repo'], check=True)
+        subprocess.run(['ostree', 'init', '--repo', '/tmp/apt-ostree-build/repo', '--mode=bare'], check=True)
+        
+        # Create a simple test tree
+        subprocess.run(['mkdir', '-p', '/tmp/test-tree'], check=True)
+        subprocess.run(['echo', 'test content'], stdout=open('/tmp/test-tree/testfile.txt', 'w'), check=True)
+        
+        # Commit the test tree
+        subprocess.run(['ostree', 'commit', '--repo', '/tmp/apt-ostree-build/repo', '-b', 'test/minimal', '/tmp/test-tree', '--owner-uid=0', '--owner-gid=0'], check=True)
+        
+        print("✅ Test OSTree tree created successfully")
+        
+        # Now extract the rootfs
+        aptostree_argv.extend([manifest_path, target])
+        # Perform the build
+        subprocess.run(aptostree_argv, check=True)
+        # Work around permission issues - only if target exists
+        if os.path.exists(target):
+            root_mode = os.lstat(target).st_mode
+            if (root_mode & stat.S_IXOTH) == 0:
+                print("Updating rootfs mode")
+                os.chmod(target, root_mode | stat.S_IXOTH)
+        else:
+            print(f"Warning: Target directory {target} was not created by apt-ostree")
+    finally:
+        if tmp_manifest:
+            os.unlink(tmp_manifest.name)
+        if tmp_lockfile:
+            os.unlink(tmp_lockfile.name)
+        if tmp_ostree_repo:
+            shutil.rmtree(tmp_ostree_repo)
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Debian bootc base image creation tool')
+    subparsers = parser.add_subparsers(dest='command')
+    
+    build_parser = subparsers.add_parser('build-rootfs', help='Build minimal root filesystem')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--manifest', required=True, help='Manifest to use')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--target', required=True, help='Target directory')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--install', nargs='*', help='Additional packages to install')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--add-dir', nargs='*', help='Additional directories to add')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--no-docs', action='store_true', help='Exclude documentation')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--sysusers', action='store_true', help='Enable sysusers')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--nobody-99', action='store_true', help='Use nobody:99 for passwd mode')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--repo', nargs='*', help='Additional repositories')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--lock', nargs='*', help='Lock package versions')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--cachedir', default='', help='Cache directory')
+    build_parser.add_argument('--source-root', default='/', help='Source root directory')
+    
+    list_parser = subparsers.add_parser('list', help='List available manifests')
+    
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+    
+    if args.command == 'build-rootfs':
+        run_build_rootfs(args)
+    elif args.command == 'list':
+        # List available manifests
+        manifest_dir = f'{MANIFESTDIR}'
+        if os.path.exists(manifest_dir):
+            for f in os.listdir(manifest_dir):
+                if f.endswith('.yaml'):
+                    print(f.replace('.yaml', ''))
+        else:
+            print(f"Manifest directory {manifest_dir} not found")
+    else:
+        parser.print_help()
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    main()
diff --git a/debian-bootc-config.json b/debian-bootc-config.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb192aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian-bootc-config.json
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+    "Labels": {
+        "containers.bootc": "1",
+        "bootc.diskimage-builder": "quay.io/centos-bootc/bootc-image-builder",
+        "debian.id": "debian",
+        "debian.version-id": "sid"
+    },
+    "StopSignal": "SIGRTMIN+3",
+    "Env": [
+        "container=oci"
+    ]
+}
diff --git a/debian-includes/generic.yaml b/debian-includes/generic.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..114a8a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian-includes/generic.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+variables:
+  distro: "debian"
+  releasever: "trixie"  # Debian 13 (stable)
+  basearch: "amd64"
+
+# Repository configuration using apt-cache-ng proxy
+repos:
+  - debian
+  - debian-updates
+  - debian-security
+  - particle-os
+
+# Core packages for Debian base images
+packages:
+  - debian-archive-keyring
+  - systemd-resolved
+  - apt
+  - apt-utils
+  - ca-certificates
+  - wget
+  - curl
+  - gnupg
+  - lsb-release
diff --git a/debian-iot.yaml b/debian-iot.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c5a365
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian-iot.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+include:
+  - debian-includes/generic.yaml
+  - iot/manifest.yaml
diff --git a/debian-minimal-plus.yaml b/debian-minimal-plus.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c20eecf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian-minimal-plus.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+include:
+  - debian-includes/generic.yaml
+  - minimal-plus/manifest.yaml
diff --git a/debian-minimal.yaml b/debian-minimal.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77e0314
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian-minimal.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+include:
+  - debian-includes/generic.yaml
+  - minimal/manifest.yaml
diff --git a/debian-standard.yaml b/debian-standard.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f0b8878
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian-standard.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+include:
+  - debian-includes/generic.yaml
+  - standard/manifest.yaml
diff --git a/debian.repo b/debian.repo
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6d40845
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian.repo
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+# Debian repository configuration with apt-cache-ng proxy
+# Note: This follows the same structure as fedora.repo but adapted for Debian
+# The proxy URL will be replaced during build with the APT_CACHER_NG_PROXY build arg
+
+[debian]
+name=Debian $releasever - $basearch
+baseurl=__PROXY_URL__/debian $releasever main contrib non-free
+enabled=1
+#metadata_expire=7d
+repo_gpgcheck=0
+type=deb
+gpgcheck=1
+gpgkey=file:///usr/share/keyrings/debian-archive-keyring.gpg
+skip_if_unavailable=False
+
+[debian-updates]
+name=Debian $releasever - $basearch - Updates
+baseurl=__PROXY_URL__/debian $releasever-updates main contrib non-free
+enabled=1
+repo_gpgcheck=0
+type=deb
+gpgcheck=1
+metadata_expire=6h
+gpgkey=file:///usr/share/keyrings/debian-archive-keyring.gpg
+skip_if_unavailable=False
+
+[debian-security]
+name=Debian $releasever - $basearch - Security Updates
+baseurl=__PROXY_URL__/debian-security $releasever-security main contrib non-free
+enabled=1
+repo_gpgcheck=0
+type=deb
+gpgcheck=1
+metadata_expire=6h
+gpgkey=file:///usr/share/keyrings/debian-archive-keyring.gpg
+skip_if_unavailable=False
+
+[debian-backports]
+name=Debian $releasever - $basearch - Backports
+baseurl=__PROXY_URL__/debian $releasever-backports main contrib non-free
+enabled=0
+repo_gpgcheck=0
+type=deb
+gpgcheck=1
+metadata_expire=7d
+gpgkey=file:///usr/share/keyrings/debian-archive-keyring.gpg
+skip_if_unavailable=False
+
+[sid]
+name=Debian - Sid - Developmental packages for the next Debian release
+baseurl=__PROXY_URL__/debian sid main contrib non-free
+enabled=1
+#metadata_expire=7d
+repo_gpgcheck=0
+type=deb
+gpgcheck=1
+gpgkey=file:///usr/share/keyrings/debian-archive-keyring.gpg
+skip_if_unavailable=False
+
+[debian-devel]
+name=Debian $releasever - $basearch
+baseurl=__PROXY_URL__/debian sid main contrib non-free
+enabled=1
+#metadata_expire=7d
+repo_gpgcheck=0
+type=deb
+gpgcheck=1
+gpgkey=file:///usr/share/keyrings/debian-archive-keyring.gpg
+skip_if_unavailable=False
+
+[particle-os]
+name=Particle OS - Additional packages
+baseurl=https://git.raines.xyz/particle-os/-/packages/debian/
+enabled=1
+repo_gpgcheck=0
+type=deb
+gpgcheck=0
+metadata_expire=7d
+skip_if_unavailable=False
diff --git a/debian.sources.list b/debian.sources.list
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ad1864f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian.sources.list
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# Debian Trixie (13) - Stable
+deb http://192.168.1.101:3142/http://deb.debian.org/debian trixie main contrib non-free
+deb http://192.168.1.101:3142/http://deb.debian.org/debian trixie-updates main contrib non-free
+deb http://192.168.1.101:3142/http://security.debian.org/debian-security trixie-security main contrib non-free
+
+# Debian Sid (00) - Unstable/Rolling (equivalent to Fedora Rawhide)
+deb http://192.168.1.101:3142/http://deb.debian.org/debian sid main contrib non-free
+
+# Debian Forge (particle-os) - Additional packages
+deb https://git.raines.xyz/particle-os/-/packages/debian/ ./
+
+# Debian Backports (optional)
+# deb http://192.168.1.101:3142/http://deb.debian.org/debian trixie-backports main contrib non-free
diff --git a/install-manifests b/install-manifests
index f36a442..d48efa3 100755
--- a/install-manifests
+++ b/install-manifests
@@ -2,21 +2,27 @@
 set -xeuo pipefail
 # This script copies the manifests from the current directory
 # into their installed location.
-manifestdir=${1:-/usr/share/doc/bootc-base-imagectl/manifests}
+manifestdir=${1:-/usr/share/doc/debian-bootc-base-imagectl/manifests}
 mkdir -p "$manifestdir/"
 for image in minimal standard minimal-plus iot; do
     # Embed the generic defaults
     cp -a $image $manifestdir/
-    # And the top-level Fedora-specific manifests
+    # And the top-level Debian-specific manifests
     if [ -f $image.hidden.yaml ]; then
         cp -a $image.hidden.yaml $manifestdir/
     else
         cp -a $image.yaml $manifestdir/
     fi
-    # And the legacy `fedora-` prefixed names
-    cp -a fedora-$image.yaml $manifestdir/
+    # And the Debian version-specific names
+    cp -a debian-$image.yaml $manifestdir/
 done
+
+# Copy version-specific manifests (debian-13.yaml, debian-14.yaml, debian-00.yaml)
+cp -a debian-13.yaml $manifestdir/ 2>/dev/null || echo "debian-13.yaml not found"
+cp -a debian-14.yaml $manifestdir/ 2>/dev/null || echo "debian-14.yaml not found"
+cp -a debian-00.yaml $manifestdir/ 2>/dev/null || echo "debian-00.yaml not found"
+
 # Set the default
-ln -s fedora-standard.yaml $manifestdir/default.yaml
+ln -s debian-13.yaml $manifestdir/default.yaml
 # And install dependency manifests
-cp -a fedora-includes $manifestdir
+cp -a debian-includes $manifestdir
diff --git a/minimal.yaml b/minimal.yaml
index a6b3b23..77e0314 100644
--- a/minimal.yaml
+++ b/minimal.yaml
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 include:
-  - fedora-includes/generic.yaml
+  - debian-includes/generic.yaml
   - minimal/manifest.yaml
diff --git a/minimal/basic-fixes.yaml b/minimal/basic-fixes.yaml
index c636e8c..897cd02 100644
--- a/minimal/basic-fixes.yaml
+++ b/minimal/basic-fixes.yaml
@@ -1,35 +1,30 @@
-# Fix general bugs
-
+# Basic fixes for Debian minimal base images
 postprocess:
-  # See also https://github.com/openshift/os/blob/f6cde963ee140c02364674db378b2bc4ac42675b/common.yaml#L156
-  # This one is undoes the effect of
-  # # RHEL-only: Disable /tmp on tmpfs.
-  #Wants=tmp.mount
-  # in /usr/lib/systemd/system/basic.target
-  # We absolutely must have tmpfs-on-tmp for multiple reasons,
-  # but the biggest is that when we have composefs for / it's read-only,
-  # and for units with ProtectSystem=full systemd clones / but needs
-  # a writable place.
+  # Fix common issues and set up essential configuration
   - |
     #!/usr/bin/env bash
     set -xeuo pipefail
-    mkdir -p /usr/lib/systemd/system/local-fs.target.wants
-    if test '!' -f /usr/lib/systemd/system/local-fs.target.wants/tmp.mount; then
-      ln -sf ../tmp.mount /usr/lib/systemd/system/local-fs.target.wants
-    fi
-
-    # See https://github.com/containers/bootc/issues/358
-    # basically systemd-tmpfiles doesn't follow symlinks; ordinarily our
-    # tmpfiles.d unit for `/var/roothome` is fine, but this actually doesn't
-    # work if we want to use tmpfiles.d to write to `/root/.ssh` because
-    # tmpfiles gives up on that before getting to `/var/roothome`.
-    #
-    # Redirect stdout to /dev/null because of some weird stdout issue
-    # with newer rpm-ostree: https://github.com/coreos/rpm-ostree/pull/5388#issuecomment-2971623787
-    sed -i -e 's, /root, /var/roothome,' /usr/lib/tmpfiles.d/provision.conf > /dev/null
-    # Because /var/roothome is also defined in rpm-ostree-0-integration.conf
-    # we need to delete /var/roothome
-    #
-    # Redirect stdout to /dev/null because of some weird stdout issue
-    # with newer rpm-ostree: https://github.com/coreos/rpm-ostree/pull/5388#issuecomment-2971623787
-    sed -i -e '/^d- \/var\/roothome /d' /usr/lib/tmpfiles.d/provision.conf > /dev/null
+    
+    # Fix locale issues
+    echo "en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8" > /etc/locale.gen
+    echo "LANG=en_US.UTF-8" > /etc/default/locale
+    
+    # Set up timezone
+    echo "UTC" > /etc/timezone
+    
+    # Fix permissions on essential files
+    chmod 644 /etc/default/locale
+    chmod 644 /etc/timezone
+    
+    # Ensure proper hostname configuration
+    echo "debian-atomic" > /etc/hostname
+    
+    # Set up basic networking
+    cat > /etc/network/interfaces << 'EOF'
+    auto lo
+    iface lo inet loopback
+    EOF
+    
+    # Fix systemd configuration
+    systemctl enable systemd-networkd
+    systemctl enable systemd-resolved
diff --git a/minimal/bootc.yaml b/minimal/bootc.yaml
index a2500ce..4e3f84e 100644
--- a/minimal/bootc.yaml
+++ b/minimal/bootc.yaml
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
-# The bootc components.
+# Bootc configuration for Debian minimal base images
 packages:
- - systemd
- - bootc
- # Required by bootc install, sgdisk has been replaced by Rust crate
- # in bootc https://github.com/containers/bootc/pull/775
- - xfsprogs e2fsprogs dosfstools
+  # Bootc core components
+  - bootc
+  - bootc-ostree
 
-exclude-packages:
-  # Exclude kernel-debug-core to make sure that it doesn't somehow get
-  # chosen as the package to satisfy the `kernel-core` dependency from
-  # the kernel package.
-  - kernel-debug-core
+# Bootc configuration
+bootc:
+  # Enable bootc functionality
+  - enable=true
+  # OSTree integration
+  - ostree-support=true
+  # Container runtime support
+  - container-support=true
diff --git a/minimal/bootupd.yaml b/minimal/bootupd.yaml
index 2932317..83099db 100644
--- a/minimal/bootupd.yaml
+++ b/minimal/bootupd.yaml
@@ -1,41 +1,15 @@
-# Integration with https://github.com/coreos/bootupd and bootloader logic
-# xref https://github.com/coreos/fedora-coreos-tracker/issues/510
+# Bootupd configuration for Debian minimal base images
 packages:
+  # Bootupd for bootloader management
   - bootupd
 
-# bootloader
-packages-aarch64:
-  - grub2-efi-aa64 efibootmgr shim
-packages-ppc64le:
-  - grub2 ostree-grub2
-packages-riscv64:
-  - grub2-efi-riscv64 efibootmgr
-  # Don't specify just `shim` for now because riscv isn't built in
-  # main koji instance yet and thus isn't signed. Here we specify
-  # the path to the provided file so when we do switch to the signed
-  # `shim` package it will transparently happen and we can clean up
-  # this packagelist entry later.
-  - /boot/efi/EFI/fedora/shimriscv64.efi
-packages-s390x:
-  # For zipl
-  - s390utils-core
-packages-x86_64:
-  - grub2 grub2-efi-x64 efibootmgr shim
-  - microcode_ctl
-
-conditional-include:
-  - if: basearch != "s390x"
-    # And remove some cruft from grub2
-    include: grub2-removals.yaml
-
-postprocess:
-  - |
-    #!/bin/bash
-    set -xeuo pipefail
-    # Transforms /usr/lib/ostree-boot into a bootupd-compatible update payload
-    /usr/bin/bootupctl backend generate-update-metadata
-  - |
-    #!/bin/bash
-    # Workaround for https://issues.redhat.com/browse/RHEL-78104
-    set -xeuo pipefail
-    rm -vrf /usr/lib/ostree-boot/loader
+# Bootupd configuration
+bootupd:
+  # Enable bootupd functionality
+  - enable=true
+  # OSTree integration
+  - ostree-support=true
+  # Bootloader configuration
+  - bootloader: grub
+  # EFI support
+  - efi-support: true
diff --git a/minimal/initramfs.yaml b/minimal/initramfs.yaml
index fc1fdc2..1e822e9 100644
--- a/minimal/initramfs.yaml
+++ b/minimal/initramfs.yaml
@@ -1,28 +1,17 @@
-# Configuration for the initramfs
-postprocess:
-  - |
-    #!/usr/bin/env bash
-    set -xeuo pipefail
-    mkdir -p /usr/lib/dracut/dracut.conf.d
-    cat > /usr/lib/dracut/dracut.conf.d/20-bootc-base.conf << 'EOF'
-    # We want a generic image; hostonly makes no sense as part of a server side build
-    hostonly=no
-    # Dracut will always fail to set security.selinux xattrs at build time
-    # https://github.com/dracut-ng/dracut-ng/issues/1561
-    export DRACUT_NO_XATTR=1
-    add_dracutmodules+=" kernel-modules dracut-systemd systemd-initrd base ostree "
-    EOF
-    cat > /usr/lib/dracut/dracut.conf.d/22-bootc-generic.conf << 'EOF'
-    # Extra modules that we want by default that are known to exist in the kernel
-    add_dracutmodules+=" virtiofs "
-    EOF
-    cat > /usr/lib/dracut/dracut.conf.d/49-bootc-tpm2-tss.conf << 'EOF'
-    # We want this for systemd-cryptsetup tpm2 locking
-    add_dracutmodules+=" tpm2-tss "
-    EOF
-    cat > /usr/lib/dracut/dracut.conf.d/59-altfiles.conf << 'EOF'
-    # https://issues.redhat.com/browse/RHEL-49590
-    # On image mode systems we use nss-altfiles for passwd and group,
-    # this makes sure dracut uses them which also fixes kdump writing to NFS.
-    install_items+=" /usr/lib/passwd /usr/lib/group "
-    EOF
+# Initramfs configuration for Debian minimal base images
+packages:
+  # Initramfs tools
+  - initramfs-tools
+  - initramfs-tools-core
+
+# Initramfs configuration
+initramfs:
+  # Enable initramfs generation
+  - enable=true
+  # Include essential modules
+  - modules:
+    - ext4
+    - xfs
+    - btrfs
+    - overlay
+    - ostree
diff --git a/minimal/kernel-install.yaml b/minimal/kernel-install.yaml
index 1d75cd9..0c87629 100644
--- a/minimal/kernel-install.yaml
+++ b/minimal/kernel-install.yaml
@@ -1,25 +1,19 @@
-# Configuration to enable kernel-install integration
-postprocess:
-  - |
-    #!/usr/bin/env bash
-    set -xeuo pipefail
-    source /usr/lib/os-release
-    echo -e "# kernel-install will not try to run dracut and allow rpm-ostree to\n\
-    # take over. Rpm-ostree will use this to know that it is responsible\n\
-    # to run dracut and ensure that there is only one kernel in the image\n\
-    layout=ostree" | tee /usr/lib/kernel/install.conf > /dev/null
-    # By default dnf keeps multiple versions of the kernel, with this
-    # configuration we tell dnf to treat the kernel as everything else.
-    # https://dnf.readthedocs.io/en/latest/conf_ref.html#main-options
-    # Let's add the config to a distribution configuration file if dnf5
-    # is used, we append to /etc/dnf/dnf.conf if not.
-    # Also set protect_running_kernel=False, dnf/yum pre-dates Containers and
-    # uses uname to protect the running kernel even on Container builds.
-    if [ -d "/usr/share/dnf5/libdnf.conf.d/" ]; then
-      echo -e "[main]\ninstallonlypkgs=''" >> /usr/share/dnf5/libdnf.conf.d/20-ostree-installonlypkgs.conf
-      echo -e "[main]\nprotect_running_kernel=False" >> /usr/share/dnf5/libdnf.conf.d/20-ostree-protect_running_kernel.conf
-    else
-      echo "installonlypkgs=''" >> /etc/dnf/dnf.conf
-      echo "protect_running_kernel=False" >> /etc/dnf/dnf.conf
-    fi
+# Kernel install configuration for Debian minimal base images
+packages:
+  # Kernel installation tools
+  - linux-base
+  - linux-image-amd64
+
+# Kernel install configuration
+kernel-install:
+  # Enable kernel installation
+  - enable=true
+  # Use systemd-boot for UEFI systems
+  - bootloader: systemd-boot
+  # Kernel install directory
+  - install-dir: /boot/ostree
+  # Initramfs configuration
+  - initramfs: true
+  # Kernel command line
+  - cmdline: "ro root=LABEL=ROOT ostree=/ostree/boot.1/debian/14/x86_64/minimal/0"
 
diff --git a/minimal/kernel.yaml b/minimal/kernel.yaml
index 0dd777d..5eb34e5 100644
--- a/minimal/kernel.yaml
+++ b/minimal/kernel.yaml
@@ -1,6 +1,18 @@
-# Enable the Linux kernel; see also kernel-rt.
+# Debian kernel configuration for minimal base images
 packages:
- - kernel
+  # Essential kernel packages - let apt resolve the version
+  - linux-image-amd64
+  - linux-headers-amd64
+  # Only specify specific version if absolutely necessary for compatibility
+  # - linux-image-6.1.0-13-amd64  # Commented out - let apt resolve
 
-exclude-packages:
-  - kernel-debug
+# Kernel configuration
+kernel:
+  # Ensure kernel supports essential features
+  - CONFIG_DEVTMPFS=y
+  - CONFIG_CGROUPS=y
+  - CONFIG_NAMESPACES=y
+  - CONFIG_SECCOMP=y
+  - CONFIG_BLK_DEV_INITRD=y
+  - CONFIG_EFI_STUB=y
+  - CONFIG_EFI=y
diff --git a/minimal/manifest.yaml b/minimal/manifest.yaml
index 646dc26..4f15d7b 100644
--- a/minimal/manifest.yaml
+++ b/minimal/manifest.yaml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 metadata:
-  summary: Effectively just bootc, systemd, kernel, and dnf as a starting point.
+  summary: Minimal Debian bootc base image with essential boot infrastructure.
 
 edition: "2024"
 
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ variables:
 # Be minimal
 recommends: false
 
-# Default to `bash` in our container, the same as other containers we ship.
+# Default to systemd init in our container
 container-cmd:
   - /sbin/init
 
@@ -31,18 +31,28 @@ include:
   - basic-fixes.yaml
   - kernel-install.yaml
   - systemd-presets.yaml
+  - partitioning.yaml
 
 packages:
-  # this is implied by dependencies but let's make it explicit
+  # Essential system utilities
   - coreutils
-  # We need dnf for building derived container images. In Fedora, this pulls
-  # in dnf5. In CentOS/RHEL, this pulls in dnf(4). We can simplify this back to
-  # just `dnf` once the `dnf` package is retired from Fedora.
-  - /usr/bin/dnf
-  # Even in minimal, we have this.  If you don't want SELinux today, you'll need
-  # to build a custom image.
-  - selinux-policy-targeted
-  # And we want container-selinux because trying to layer it on later currently causes issues.
+  # Package management - we need apt for building derived container images
+  - apt
+  - apt-utils
+  # System initialization
+  - systemd
+  - systemd-sysv
+  # Kernel and boot infrastructure
+  - linux-image-amd64
+  - initramfs-tools
+  # OSTree support
+  - ostree
+  # Basic networking
+  - netbase
+  - ifupdown
+  # Security (optional - can be removed if not needed)
+  - selinux-policy-default
+  # Container support
   - container-selinux
-  # Needed for tpm2 bound luks
+  # TPM support for LUKS encryption
   - tpm2-tools
diff --git a/minimal/ostree.yaml b/minimal/ostree.yaml
index 99e256e..d2f6bad 100644
--- a/minimal/ostree.yaml
+++ b/minimal/ostree.yaml
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
+# OSTree configuration for Debian minimal base images
 packages:
- - ostree nss-altfiles
+  # OSTree core packages
+  - ostree
+  - ostree-utils
+  - libostree-1-1
 
-postprocess:
-  # Set up default root config
-  - |
-    #!/usr/bin/env bash
-    set -xeuo pipefail
-    mkdir -p /usr/lib/ostree
-    cat > /usr/lib/ostree/prepare-root.conf << EOF
-    [composefs]
-    enabled = yes
-    [sysroot]
-    readonly = true
-    EOF
+# OSTree configuration
+ostree:
+  # Enable OSTree functionality
+  - enable=true
+  # Repository configuration
+  - repo-path=/ostree/repo
+  # Boot configuration
+  - boot-path=/boot/ostree
diff --git a/minimal/partitioning.yaml b/minimal/partitioning.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..98c47bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/minimal/partitioning.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+# Partitioning configuration for Debian minimal base images
+# Following Fedora's proven partition scheme:
+# /boot/efi (ESP) - EFI System Partition
+# /boot - Boot partition (separate from root)
+# / (root) - Root filesystem (read-only for atomic systems)
+
+partitions:
+  # EFI System Partition (ESP)
+  efi:
+    size: 512M
+    filesystem: vfat
+    mountpoint: /boot/efi
+    flags: [esp, boot]
+    label: EFI-SYSTEM
+
+  # Boot partition (separate from root)
+  boot:
+    size: 1G
+    filesystem: ext4
+    mountpoint: /boot
+    label: BOOT
+
+  # Root filesystem
+  root:
+    size: 100%  # Use remaining space
+    filesystem: ext4
+    mountpoint: /
+    label: ROOT
+
+# Partition table
+partition_table: gpt
+
+# Bootloader configuration
+bootloader:
+  type: grub
+  target: both  # UEFI and BIOS
+  efi_directory: /boot/efi
+  boot_directory: /boot
diff --git a/minimal/postprocess-conf.yaml b/minimal/postprocess-conf.yaml
index 6c3894a..42e8a35 100644
--- a/minimal/postprocess-conf.yaml
+++ b/minimal/postprocess-conf.yaml
@@ -1,37 +1,29 @@
-# This file configures things relevant to `rpm-ostree compose postprocess`.
-
-# We want content lifecycled with the image
-opt-usrlocal: "root"
-
-# https://github.com/CentOS/centos-bootc/issues/167
-machineid-compat: true
-
-rpmdb: target
-# We never want rpmdb.sqlite-shm as it's unreproducible
-rpmdb-normalize: true
-
-ignore-removed-users:
-  - root
-ignore-removed-groups:
-  - root
-# By default users and groups are injected to nss-altfiles
-# which is immutable. This list moves a selected set
-# to /etc/group instead, which is mutable per system
-# and allows local users to become part of these groups.
-etc-group-members:
-  - wheel
-  - systemd-journal
-  - tss # https://issues.redhat.com/browse/BIFROST-618
-  - adm
-
-conditional-include:
-  - if: passwd_mode == "full"
-    include: check-passwd.yaml
-  - if: passwd_mode == "nobody"
-    include: check-passwd-nobody.yaml
-  - if: passwd_mode == "none"
-    include:
-      check-passwd:
-        type: "none"
-      check-groups:
-        type: "none"
+# Post-processing configuration for Debian minimal base images
+postprocess:
+  # Set up essential system configuration
+  - |
+    #!/usr/bin/env bash
+    set -xeuo pipefail
+    
+    # Create essential directories
+    mkdir -p /etc/apt/apt.conf.d
+    mkdir -p /etc/systemd/system
+    mkdir -p /etc/ostree
+    
+    # Configure APT for minimal system
+    cat > /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/99-minimal << 'EOF'
+    APT::Install-Recommends "false";
+    APT::Install-Suggests "false";
+    APT::Get::Assume-Yes "true";
+    EOF
+    
+    # Set up OSTree configuration
+    cat > /etc/ostree/ostree.conf << 'EOF'
+    [core]
+    repo_mode=bare
+    EOF
+    
+    # Ensure proper permissions
+    chmod 755 /etc/apt/apt.conf.d
+    chmod 644 /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/99-minimal
+    chmod 644 /etc/ostree/ostree.conf
diff --git a/minimal/systemd-presets.yaml b/minimal/systemd-presets.yaml
index fee068a..e6150d4 100644
--- a/minimal/systemd-presets.yaml
+++ b/minimal/systemd-presets.yaml
@@ -1,30 +1,20 @@
-# Postprocessing relating to systemd presets on the system.
-postprocess:
-  - |
-    #!/bin/bash
-    set -xeuo pipefail
-    # Override some of the default presets.
-    cat <<EOF > usr/lib/systemd/system-preset/85-bootc.preset
-    # Disable dnf-makecache.timer on bootc/image mode systems
-    # https://github.com/coreos/fedora-coreos-tracker/issues/1896#issuecomment-2848251507
-    disable dnf-makecache.timer
-    EOF
-  # Enable bootloader-update.service on F43+.
-  # https://github.com/coreos/fedora-coreos-tracker/issues/1468#issuecomment-2996654547
-  # https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/AutomaticBootloaderUpdatesBootc
-  - |
-    #!/bin/bash
-    set -xeuo pipefail
-    source /usr/lib/os-release
-    if [ $ID == "fedora" ] && [ ${VERSION_ID} -ge 43 ]; then
-      echo "enable bootloader-update.service" >> /usr/lib/systemd/system-preset/85-bootc.preset
-    fi
-  # Undo RPM scripts enabling units; we want the presets to be canonical
-  # https://github.com/projectatomic/rpm-ostree/issues/1803
-  - |
-    #!/bin/bash
-    set -xeuo pipefail
-    rm -rf /etc/systemd/system/*
-    systemctl preset-all
-    rm -rf /etc/systemd/user/*
-    systemctl --user --global preset-all
+# Systemd presets for Debian minimal base images
+systemd-presets:
+  # Enable essential systemd services
+  enable:
+    - systemd-networkd
+    - systemd-resolved
+    - systemd-timesyncd
+    - systemd-udevd
+    - systemd-logind
+  
+  # Disable unnecessary services
+  disable:
+    - systemd-firstboot
+    - systemd-hwdb-update
+    - systemd-machine-id-commit
+    - systemd-pstore
+    - systemd-random-seed
+    - systemd-sysctl
+    - systemd-user-sessions
+    - systemd-vconsole-setup
diff --git a/minimal/tmpfiles.yaml b/minimal/tmpfiles.yaml
index 0065b98..014799a 100644
--- a/minimal/tmpfiles.yaml
+++ b/minimal/tmpfiles.yaml
@@ -1,8 +1,25 @@
-postprocess:
+# Tmpfiles configuration for Debian minimal base images
+tmpfiles:
+  # Essential system directories
   - |
-    #!/bin/bash
-    set -xeuo pipefail
-    cat >/usr/lib/tmpfiles.d/bootc-base-rpmstate.conf <<'EOF'
-    # Workaround for https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=771713
-    d /var/lib/rpm-state 0755 - - -
-    EOF
+    # Create essential directories with proper permissions
+    d /var/log 0755 root root -
+    d /var/cache 0755 root root -
+    d /var/tmp 1777 root root -
+    d /tmp 1777 root root -
+    d /run 0755 root root -
+    
+    # OSTree specific directories
+    d /ostree 0755 root root -
+    d /sysroot 0755 root root -
+    
+    # Boot directories
+    d /boot/ostree 0755 root root -
+    
+    # Systemd directories
+    d /etc/systemd/system 0755 root root -
+    d /etc/systemd/user 0755 root root -
+    
+    # APT directories
+    d /var/lib/apt 0755 root root -
+    d /var/cache/apt 0755 root root -
diff --git a/test-manifest.yaml b/test-manifest.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bac5919
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test-manifest.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+api_version: "1.0"
+kind: "tree"
+metadata:
+  ref_name: "test/debian-minimal"
+  version: "0.1.0"
+  description: "Test Debian minimal base image with kernel packages and OSTree boot support"
+repositories:
+  - name: "debian"
+    url: "http://deb.debian.org/debian"
+    suite: "trixie"
+    components: ["main"]
+    enabled: true
+packages:
+  base: 
+    - "debian-archive-keyring"
+    - "systemd"
+    - "systemd-sysv"
+    - "apt"
+    - "apt-utils"
+    - "ca-certificates"
+    - "wget"
+    - "curl"
+    - "gnupg"
+    - "lsb-release"
+    - "coreutils"
+    - "netbase"
+    - "ifupdown"
+    - "selinux-policy-default"
+    - "tpm2-tools"
+    # Add kernel package so GRUB can actually boot
+    - "linux-image-amd64"
+    # Add OSTree boot support packages
+    - "ostree-boot"
+    - "dracut"
+    - "grub-efi-amd64"
+  additional: []
+  excludes: []
+output:
+  generate_container: true
+  container_path: "/tmp/apt-ostree-container"
+  export_formats:
+    - "docker-archive"
+    - "oci"