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Build a Linux Image ​

For most Linux distributions, we recommend starting from an official cloud image rather than installing the operating system from an ISO.

Cloud images already include cloud-init and are optimized for virtualized environments.

Official cloud images are available for many popular distributions:

  • Ubuntu
  • Debian
  • AlmaLinux
  • Rocky Linux
  • Fedora
  • openSUSE

Workflow ​

text
Download Cloud Image
        ↓
Customize (Optional)
        ↓
Convert to RAW
        ↓
Compress
        ↓
Upload
        ↓
Use URL in Custom Profile

Download a Cloud Image ​

Example (Ubuntu 24.04):

bash
wget https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/noble/current/noble-server-cloudimg-amd64.img

Most cloud images are provided in QCOW2 format.

Customize the Image (Optional) ​

If you need additional software, you can boot the image in a virtual machine and make your changes.

Common customizations include:

  • Installing packages
  • Creating users
  • Configuring services
  • Adding application files

When customization is complete, shut down the virtual machine cleanly.

Convert to RAW ​

Convert the image to RAW format:

bash
qemu-img convert \
    -O raw \
    noble-server-cloudimg-amd64.img \
    ubuntu.raw

Compress the Image ​

We recommend Zstandard compression:

bash
zstd -19 ubuntu.raw

This produces:

text
ubuntu.raw.zst

Upload the Image ​

Upload the compressed image to a location accessible via HTTP or HTTPS.

Examples:

  • S3-compatible storage
  • Cloudflare R2
  • GitHub Releases
  • Web servers
  • CDN providers

The resulting URL can be used directly in a Custom Profile.

Example:

text
https://example.com/images/ubuntu.raw.zst

Alternative: Build from an ISO ​

If a cloud image is not available for your distribution, you can install the operating system from an ISO.

Requirements

  • cloud-init must be installed
  • the system must boot successfully
  • shut down the virtual machine before capturing the image

No additional cloud-init configuration is required. TinyInstaller automatically configures cloud-init during deployment.

After installation:

  1. Shut down the virtual machine.
  2. Convert the disk to RAW format.
  3. Compress the RAW image.
  4. Upload the image and use its URL in your Custom Profile.

Notes ​

For the best compatibility and deployment speed:

  • Prefer official cloud images whenever possible.
  • Use RAW images compressed with Zstandard (.raw.zst).
  • Compressed images are supported only for RAW disk images.
  • Avoid distributing compressed virtual disk formats such as .qcow2.zst, .vhdx.gz, or .vmdk.xz.
  • Convert the image to RAW before compression.