particle-os/02-installer-bootc

Debian Atomic Desktop - Bootc Installer (Phase 2 Alternative)

This is an alternative approach to Phase 2 that uses bootc + Calamares instead of live-build. This approach is more modern and consistent with our atomic architecture.

Architecture Overview

Instead of using live-build to create a traditional installer ISO, this approach:

1. Creates a bootc container that includes Calamares
2. Calamares handles partitioning, user setup, and system configuration
3. Post-install script uses bootc install to deploy the atomic image
4. bootc creates the ISO from the container

Advantages Over Live-Build

• ✅ Consistent tooling - Everything uses bootc
• ✅ No sysvinit conflicts - Pure systemd environment
• ✅ Atomic guarantees - The installer itself is atomic
• ✅ Simpler maintenance - One build system instead of two
• ✅ Modern approach - Uses container-native tooling

Quick Start

Basic Workflow

1. Build the installer:

   just build-installer
   

2. Test the installer:

   just test-installer-systemd
   

3. Create ISO (when ready):

   just create-iso
   

Full Test Workflow

For complete testing with KVM and VNC:

# Run the complete workflow
just test-full-workflow

This will:

1. Build the installer container
2. Create the ISO (when bootc ISO creation is implemented)
3. Create a test VM with KVM and VNC access

Manual VM Testing

If you prefer to control each step:

# Build the installer
just build-installer

# Create test VM (requires KVM and libvirt)
just create-test-vm

# Start/stop the VM
just start-test-vm
just stop-test-vm

# Clean up
just destroy-test-vm

How It Works

1. Container Build

The Containerfile creates a bootc container with:

• Calamares installer
• bootc for atomic deployment
• Systemd services
• Partitioning tools

2. Calamares Configuration

• settings.conf - Main Calamares configuration
• Handles partitioning, user setup, etc.
• Calls our post-install script

3. Post-Install Script

• post-install.sh - Uses bootc to deploy atomic image
• Gets target device from Calamares
• Runs bootc install to-disk

4. ISO Creation

• bootc creates bootable ISO from container
• ISO boots into Calamares installer
• Installer deploys atomic image

File Structure

02-installer-bootc/
├── Containerfile          # Bootc container definition
├── justfile              # Build automation
├── README.md             # This file
├── calamares-config/     # Calamares configuration
│   └── settings.conf     # Main Calamares settings
└── scripts/              # Installation scripts
    └── post-install.sh   # Bootc deployment script

Comparison with Live-Build Approach

Aspect	Live-Build	Bootc + Calamares
Build System	live-build	bootc
Dependencies	Complex package conflicts	Clean container
Maintenance	Two build systems	One build system
Atomic Guarantees	Limited	Full atomic
Modern Tooling	Traditional	Container-native

Next Steps

1. Test the basic container - Verify Calamares works
2. Configure Calamares - Add proper partitioning and user modules
3. Test bootc deployment - Verify atomic image installation
4. Create ISO - Use bootc to generate bootable ISO
5. Integration testing - Test full installation flow

Prerequisites

• podman or docker
• just
• bootc
• qemu (for testing)

For VM Testing

• qemu-kvm
• libvirt-daemon-system
• libvirt-clients
• virt-install
• User in libvirt group
• virt-manager (optional, for GUI management)

This approach should eliminate the sysvinit conflicts we encountered with live-build and provide a cleaner, more modern installer experience.