particle-os/02-installer-bootc-tui

Debian Atomic Terminal Installer

This directory contains a terminal-based installer approach for Debian Atomic, designed as a simpler alternative to the Calamares GUI installer.

Overview

Instead of using Calamares GUI, this approach:

1. Boots from a minimal ISO in a VM
2. Stays in terminal mode
3. Uses automated scripts to:
   • Partition the drive
   • Create user accounts
   • Transfer the OS to the target drive
   • Make it bootable

Structure

• Containerfile - Builds the minimal bootable image
• scripts/ - Installation and automation scripts
• justfile - Build and test commands
• config/ - Configuration files for the installer

Workflow

1. Build minimal bootable ISO
2. Boot ISO in VM (terminal only)
3. Run automated installation script
4. Reboot into installed system

Advantages

• Simpler than Calamares (no GUI dependencies)
• More reliable (fewer moving parts)
• Easier to debug and customize
• Consistent with atomic principles
• Can be fully automated for testing

Usage

# Build the installer
just build

# Create bootable ISO
just create-iso

# Test in VM
just test-vm