Alpine Linux in a chroot - Revision history

Threshold Wanderer: OpenRC will lock up if you don't include the `firstboot` service

2025-11-26T07:57:10Z

OpenRC will lock up if you don't include the `firstboot` service

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:57, 26 November 2025
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	rc-update add mount-ro shutdown		rc-update add mount-ro shutdown
	rc-update add killprocs shutdown		rc-update add killprocs shutdown
	rc-update add savecache shutdown}}		rc-update add savecache shutdown

			rc-update add firstboot default}}

	=== Installing bootloader ===		=== Installing bootloader ===

Prabuanand: fixed sentence

2025-06-16T11:00:14Z

fixed sentence

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:00, 16 June 2025
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	This page explains how to set up an Alpine Linux [[Chroot\|chroot]] environment under a host Linux distro. Inside the chroot environment, you can build, debug, and run Alpine packages or develop things. It's the most known way to do so without replacing your system or using a Virtual Machine. This chroot can also be used to install Alpine Linux from a non-Alpine Linux system or live environment.		This page explains how to set up an Alpine Linux [[Chroot\|chroot]] environment under a host Linux distro. Inside the chroot environment, you can build, debug, and run Alpine packages or develop things. It's the most known way to do so without replacing your system or using a Virtual Machine. This chroot can also be used to install Alpine Linux from a non-Alpine Linux system or live environment.

	{{Tip\| ~~Using~~ [[#alpine-chroot-install script\|alpine-chroot-install]] ~~script is recommended as it takes seconds~~ to ~~prepare a chroot and install fresh~~ Alpine Linux ~~including gcc~~ build environment.}}		{{Tip\|Use [[#alpine-chroot-install script\|alpine-chroot-install script]] to setup Alpine Linux chroot build environment on any linux host in few seconds.}}

	== Prerequisites ==		== Prerequisites ==

Prabuanand: moved and rephrased sentence to add clarity

2025-06-16T08:57:11Z

moved and rephrased sentence to add clarity

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:57, 16 June 2025
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	* target media with at least 100M, 900MB for more complete solution as minimum		* target media with at least 100M, 900MB for more complete solution as minimum
	* internet connection		* internet connection

	~~The below variables are used in this page, replace them by actual values:~~

	*'''${chroot_dir}''' = Should point to the new root directory(eg./alpine or /var/chroots/alpine)
	*'''${mirror}''' = Should be replaced with [https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/MIRRORS.txt one of the available Alpine Linux mirrors].
	*'''${arch}''' = Should be the cpu architecture like '''x86_64''' for current amd64 or '''x86''' for older i386..

	== alpine-chroot-install script ==		== alpine-chroot-install script ==

	The official [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/ alpine-chroot-install] script simplifies installation of Alpine Linux build environment on any x86_64 Linux system using chroot. It takes seconds to prepare a chroot, install fresh Alpine Linux including gcc build environment and execute first command!		The official [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/ alpine-chroot-install] script simplifies installation of Alpine Linux build environment on any x86_64 Linux system using chroot. With this script, it takes seconds to prepare a chroot, install fresh Alpine Linux including gcc build environment and execute first command!

	The script provides commands to {{ic\|enter-chroot}} and {{ic\|destroy}} the chroot. Refer to the [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/blob/master/alpine-chroot-install documentation] page for more information.		The script provides commands to {{ic\|enter-chroot}} and {{ic\|destroy}} the chroot. Refer to the [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/blob/master/alpine-chroot-install documentation] page for more information.

	== Manual set up of chroot ==		== Manual set up of chroot ==

			The below variables are used in this page:

			*'''${chroot_dir}''' = Should point to the new root directory(eg./alpine or /var/chroots/alpine)
			*'''${mirror}''' = Should be replaced with [https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/MIRRORS.txt one of the available Alpine Linux mirrors].
			*'''${arch}''' = Should be the cpu architecture like '''x86_64''' for current amd64 or '''x86''' for older i386.

	=== Installation ===		=== Installation ===
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	Download the latest apk static package by replacing the variables like <tt>${version}</tt> with actual version found on the chosen Download mirror: {{Cmd\|curl -LO ${mirror}/latest-stable/main/${arch}/apk-tools-static-${version}.apk}}		Download the latest apk static package by replacing the variables like <tt>${version}</tt> with actual version found on the chosen Download mirror: {{Cmd\|curl -LO ${mirror}/latest-stable/main/${arch}/apk-tools-static-${version}.apk}}

	.apk packages are just gzipped tarballs, you can unpack them using: {{Cmd\|tar -xzf apk-tools-static-*.apk}}		{{ic\|.apk}} packages are just gzipped tarballs, you can unpack them using: {{Cmd\|tar -xzf apk-tools-static-*.apk}}

	Install the Alpine Linux base installation onto the chroot. {{Cmd\|./sbin/apk.static -X ${mirror}/latest-stable/main -U --allow-untrusted -p ${chroot_dir} --initdb add alpine-base}}		Install the Alpine Linux base installation onto the chroot. {{Cmd\|./sbin/apk.static -X ${mirror}/latest-stable/main -U --allow-untrusted -p ${chroot_dir} --initdb add alpine-base}}
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	=== Installing bootloader ===		=== Installing bootloader ===

	If you plan to use your chroot to setup a new Alpine Linux system and boot from it ~~[[#Entering your chroot\|enter your chroot]] and follow the steps given in the [[Bootloaders#Syslinux\|Syslinux]]~~ bootloader ~~page~~.{{Warning\|Bootloaders can be installed only if Alpine Linux chroot was installed to a dedicated partiton mounted at the <nowiki>${chroot_dir}</nowiki> directory.}}		If you plan to use your chroot to setup a new Alpine Linux system and boot from it, you need a bootloader.
			{{Warning\|Bootloaders can be installed only if Alpine Linux chroot was installed to a dedicated partiton mounted at the <nowiki>${chroot_dir}</nowiki> directory.}} If you have a dedicated partition in which the chroot is installed, [[#Entering your chroot\|enter your chroot]] and follow the steps given in the [[Bootloaders#Syslinux\|Syslinux]] page.

	== Troubleshooting ==		== Troubleshooting ==

Prabuanand: fixed typo

2025-06-16T07:20:59Z

fixed typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:20, 16 June 2025
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	The script provides commands to {{ic\|enter-chroot}} and {{ic\|destroy}} the chroot. Refer to the [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/blob/master/alpine-chroot-install documentation] page for more information.		The script provides commands to {{ic\|enter-chroot}} and {{ic\|destroy}} the chroot. Refer to the [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/blob/master/alpine-chroot-install documentation] page for more information.

	== Manual set up of ~~Chroot~~ ==		== Manual set up of chroot ==

	=== Installation ===		=== Installation ===

Prabuanand: fixed typo

2025-06-16T07:13:56Z

fixed typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:13, 16 June 2025
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	Enter your chroot by running this command as the root user (UID 0): {{Cmd\|chroot ${chroot_dir} /bin/ash -l}}		Enter your chroot by running this command as the root user (UID 0): {{Cmd\|chroot ${chroot_dir} /bin/ash -l}}

	== ~~using~~ chroot for other purposes ==		== Using chroot for other purposes ==

	The above chroot method is commonly used to have Alpine Linux installed in a existing system. If you plan to use your chroot for other purposes, then the following steps are needed.		The above chroot method is commonly used to have Alpine Linux installed in a existing system. If you plan to use your chroot for other purposes, then the following steps are needed.

Prabuanand: rearranged sentence placement

2025-06-16T07:13:10Z

rearranged sentence placement

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:13, 16 June 2025
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	=== Installing bootloader ===		=== Installing bootloader ===

	~~{{Warning\|Bootloaders can be installed only if Alpine Linux chroot was installed to a dedicated partiton mounted at the <nowiki>${chroot_dir}</nowiki> directory.}}~~		If you plan to use your chroot to setup a new Alpine Linux system and boot from it [[#Entering your chroot\|enter your chroot]] and follow the steps given in the [[Bootloaders#Syslinux\|Syslinux]] bootloader page.{{Warning\|Bootloaders can be installed only if Alpine Linux chroot was installed to a dedicated partiton mounted at the <nowiki>${chroot_dir}</nowiki> directory.}}

	If you plan to use your chroot to setup a new Alpine Linux system and boot from it [[#Entering your chroot\|enter your chroot]] and follow the steps given in the [[Bootloaders#Syslinux\|Syslinux]] bootloader page.

	== Troubleshooting ==		== Troubleshooting ==

Prabuanand: reworded and rearranged heading levels

2025-06-16T07:09:14Z

reworded and rearranged heading levels

Show changes

Prabuanand: added wikilinks fixed heading levels

2025-04-26T18:12:59Z

added wikilinks fixed heading levels

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:12, 26 April 2025
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	{{TOC right}}		{{TOC right}}

	Inside the chroot environment, you can build, debug, and run Alpine packages or develop things. It's the most known way to do so without replacing your system or using a Virtual Machine.		Inside the [[Chroot\|chroot]] environment, you can build, debug, and run Alpine packages or develop things. It's the most known way to do so without replacing your system or using a Virtual Machine. This document explains how to set up an Alpine build environment in a chroot under a host Linux distro, that can also be used to install Alpine Linux from a non-Alpine Linux system or live environment.
	This document explains how to set up an Alpine build environment in a chroot under a host Linux distro, that can also be used to install Alpine Linux from a non-Alpine Linux system or live environment.

	{{Tip\|You can use the [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/ alpine-chroot-install] script to do all these steps for you.}}		{{Tip\|You can use the [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/ alpine-chroot-install] script to do all these steps for you.}}
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	==== Entering your chroot ====		==== Entering your chroot ====

	You then can enter your chroot by running this command as the root user (UID 0).		You then can enter your chroot by running this command as the root user (UID 0): {{Cmd\|chroot ${chroot_dir} /bin/ash -l}}

	{{Cmd\|chroot ${chroot_dir} /bin/ash -l}}

	==== Preparing init services ====		==== Preparing init services ====
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	{{Warning\|Make sure that the device you give the <code>dd</code> utility is the one you want to install the bootloader to. This process cannot be reverted!}}		{{Warning\|Make sure that the device you give the <code>dd</code> utility is the one you want to install the bootloader to. This process cannot be reverted!}}
	-->		-->
	= Troubleshooting =		== Troubleshooting ==

	== Hardened kernels or alpine as chroot host ==		=== Hardened kernels or alpine as chroot host ===

	If you are using Alpine as a native build system you will have to make sure that you can run <code>chmod</code> from a chroot. Add the following to <code>/etc/sysctl.conf</code>		If you are using Alpine as a native build system you will have to make sure that you can run <code>chmod</code> from a chroot. Add the following to <code>/etc/sysctl.conf</code>
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	<code>kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_chmod = 0</code>		<code>kernel.grsecurity.chroot_deny_chmod = 0</code>

	Then reload the sysctl configuration		Then reload the sysctl configuration:

	<code>sysctl -p</code>		<code>sysctl -p</code>

	== chroot: cannot run command ' ... Exec format error ==		=== chroot: cannot run command ' ... Exec format error ===

	This usually indicates that you booted with one architecture (e.g. armf) and are trying to chroot into another (e.g. x86_64). The binaries must be built for the architecture that the host runs!		This usually indicates that you booted with one architecture (e.g. armf) and are trying to chroot into another (e.g. x86_64). The binaries must be built for the architecture that the host runs!
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	Note that with '''one exception you can run 32 bit x86 chroot in x86_64, but not viceversa'''!		Note that with '''one exception you can run 32 bit x86 chroot in x86_64, but not viceversa'''!

	== WARNING: Ignoring APKINDEX.xxxx.tar.gz ==		=== WARNING: Ignoring APKINDEX.xxxx.tar.gz ===

	~~Make sure <code>${chroot_dir}/etc/apk/repositories</code> is valid and run:~~

	<code>apk ~~update~~</code>		Make sure <code>${chroot_dir}/etc/apk/repositories</code> is valid and run: {{Cmd\|# apk update}}

	= ~~External links~~ =		== See also ==

	* ~~You can also use script~~ [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/ alpine-chroot-install]		*[https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/ alpine-chroot-install]
	* https://web.archive.org/web/20190808203313/https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Forensic+use+of+mount+bind/22854/		* https://web.archive.org/web/20190808203313/https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Forensic+use+of+mount+bind/22854/
	* Alpine Linux in a chroot on Fedora : https://git.alpinelinux.org/cgit/user/fab/scripts/tree/alpine-chroot.sh {{dead link}} script		* Alpine Linux in a chroot on Fedora : https://git.alpinelinux.org/cgit/user/fab/scripts/tree/alpine-chroot.sh {{dead link}} script

Zcrayfish: Changed mirror link. Old one was infini-spin for me. YMMV.

2023-08-30T19:33:09Z

Changed mirror link. Old one was infini-spin for me. YMMV.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:33, 30 August 2023
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	*'''${chroot_dir}''' = Should point to the new root directory		*'''${chroot_dir}''' = Should point to the new root directory
	*'''${mirror}''' = Should be replaced with [https://nl.alpinelinux.org/alpine/MIRRORS.txt one of the available Alpine Linux mirrors].		*'''${mirror}''' = Should be replaced with [https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/MIRRORS.txt one of the available Alpine Linux mirrors].
	*'''${arch}''' = Should be the cpu architecture like x86 (i386) or amd64(x86_64)..		*'''${arch}''' = Should be the cpu architecture like x86 (i386) or amd64(x86_64)..

Zcrayfish: Marked a dead link.

2023-08-25T03:31:12Z

Marked a dead link.

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:31, 25 August 2023
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	* You can also use script [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/ alpine-chroot-install]		* You can also use script [https://github.com/alpinelinux/alpine-chroot-install/ alpine-chroot-install]
	* https://web.archive.org/web/20190808203313/https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Forensic+use+of+mount+bind/22854/		* https://web.archive.org/web/20190808203313/https://isc.sans.edu/forums/diary/Forensic+use+of+mount+bind/22854/
	* Alpine Linux in a chroot on Fedora : https://git.alpinelinux.org/cgit/user/fab/scripts/tree/alpine-chroot.sh script		* Alpine Linux in a chroot on Fedora : https://git.alpinelinux.org/cgit/user/fab/scripts/tree/alpine-chroot.sh {{dead link}} script
	* Alpine Linux aarch64 in a chroot on AWS Linux : https://gist.github.com/emolitor/0567e51c0ce04f4b025fc78d2cf0b4f1 script		* Alpine Linux aarch64 in a chroot on AWS Linux : https://gist.github.com/emolitor/0567e51c0ce04f4b025fc78d2cf0b4f1 script

	[[Category: Installation]]		[[Category: Installation]]
	[[category: System Administration]]		[[category: System Administration]]