How to use the command 'kiwi-ng' (with examples)

The kiwi-ng tool is a robust command-line utility used for building operating system images and appliances. It is an integral component for creating customized Linux distributions, virtual machine images, and live ISOs, among others. This tool simplifies the process of defining and generating software appliances, making it invaluable for developers who require customizable and deployable system environments. With kiwi-ng, users can create system images that are reproducible, offering flexibility and consistency across development and production environments.

Use case 1: Build an appliance

Code:

kiwi-ng system build --description=path/to/directory --target-dir=path/to/directory

Motivation:

Building an appliance is a crucial step when you need to deploy a consistent operating system environment across various machines. Whether it’s for deploying servers, desktops, or containerized environments, the ability to create a tailored OS image that can be easily redeployed saves time and resources. By using kiwi-ng, developers can ensure that their appliances are built according to precise specifications, aiding in effective version control and configuration management.

Explanation:

• system build: This is the primary command used to initiate the build process of a system image. It instructs kiwi-ng to start creating an appliance based on the provided description file.
• --description=path/to/directory: This argument is crucial as it specifies the path to a directory containing a description file. This file details the configuration of the appliance to be built, including the base system, packages, and additional scripts required.
• --target-dir=path/to/directory: This specifies where the finished appliance will be stored. It allows the builder to define a directory where the output image and related files will be saved.

Example output:

[ INFO    ]: 14:33:40 | Creating appliance image...
[ INFO    ]: 14:35:21 | Successfully created appliance image at ./output-directory/my-appliance.raw
[ INFO    ]: 14:35:21 | Total build time: 1 minute, 41 seconds

Use case 2: Show build result of built appliance

Code:

kiwi-ng result list --target-dir=path/to/directory

Motivation:

After successfully building an appliance, it’s essential to verify the output, ensuring all expected components are included and the image is ready for deployment. By listing the build results, developers can confirm the presence of the generated files and their integrity before proceeding to the next stage of deployment or testing.

Explanation:

• result list: This command prompts kiwi-ng to display a list of all results generated in the specified build target directory. It is a useful command for verifying the output of a build process.
• --target-dir=path/to/directory: This argument directs kiwi-ng to look in a specific directory where the build results are stored. It ensures that the command lists the correct set of files for a particular build.

Example output:

[ INFO    ]: 14:37:45 | Listing build results in ./output-directory:
my-appliance.raw
my-appliance.vmdk
README.txt

Use case 3: Display help

Code:

kiwi-ng help

Motivation:

Accessing the help menu is an imperative step for both new and seasoned users to understand the full scope of commands and options available in kiwi-ng. This command provides valuable insights into the functionalities and various command-line arguments, enabling users to make the best use of the tool. It is also a great way to remain updated with new features or changes in the command structure.

Explanation:

• help: The help command is a top-level command that displays all possible commands and options available in kiwi-ng. It provides a detailed guide, including syntax and examples, assisting users in navigating the utility.

Example output:

Usage: kiwi-ng [OPTIONS] COMMAND [ARGS]...

Options:
  --help  Show this message and exit.

Commands:
  system  Build, format, create, or download images
  result  List, clean, or modify build results
  ...

Use case 4: Display version

Code:

kiwi-ng -v

Motivation:

Knowing which version of kiwi-ng you are using is important for troubleshooting, ensuring compatibility with other tools, and verifying that you have the latest features and bug fixes. This command provides a quick way to display the current version number, assisting in maintaining the consistency of the toolsets across different environments.

Explanation:

• -v: This is a short flag for ‘version’ that tells kiwi-ng to show the version number of the currently installed software. It’s a standard option in many command-line tools for quickly checking the tool’s release information.

Example output:

kiwi-ng version 9.23.7

Conclusion:

The kiwi-ng command-line tool is an indispensable utility for developers working with Linux-based systems requiring custom operating system images. Its capability to systematically create, verify, and manage OS appliances makes it a powerful ally in deployment pipelines. Understanding these use cases of kiwi-ng equips users with the necessary know-how to effectively build and manage their own OS images, optimizing workflows and ensuring consistency across environments.