Running a linux distro installer from a working system? (feddit.cl)

submitted 1 day ago by lambisio@feddit.cl to c/linuxquestions@lemmy.zip

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Title.

I know there are tools to set up a linux distro's installer on a USB flashdrive. What I'm looking for is slightly different: I want to install a linux distro (a Debian derivative, but am still unsure which) on a USB hard drive, but I want to do it from a running system, rather that have to boot into installer mode.

The rationale is that this is the only active machine I have ATM. I guess this exists since that's how "live distros" with installers even function in the first place, but I haven't had much luck searching for information.

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[-] yuman@programming.dev 2 points 17 hours ago

debootstrap handles that, arch-install-scripts has got a lot of helpful tools. after the initial install, you arch-chroot to it and install stuff you want, via apt, tasksel, etc.

[-] lambisio@feddit.cl 1 points 11 hours ago

Thanks, taking a look at debootstrap and virt-manager ATM.

this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2026

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