This template supports Nix out-of-the-box, enabling declarative package management alongside traditional RPMs and containerized services.

TL;DR You do you I see nix as supplementing bootc. Want to try a tool without including it in the base image? Use nix shell. Want to permanently add it to the image? Declare it in an install script.

I spent too long thinking about this. Ultimately, I wanted something that just worked without the extra fuss. While I love NixOS and its declarative model, it’s still ironing out some rough edges—especially around sd-boot's boot counting and automatic rollback. Until that stabilizes, it doesn't quite provide the level of self-healing I’m looking for.

Also, I find the idea of bootable containers to be really interesting. If you’re already using containers for services, it allows you to take that knowledge further. It gives you the NixOS level declarative model without needing to necessarily understand the Nix language.

The provided Justfile includes commands and aliases to streamline building and testing:

just build Builds your custom container image just build-iso Generates a bootable ISO from your OCI image just run-vm-qcow2 Boots a VM from a QCOW2 image just spawn-vm Launches a VM using systemd-vmspawn

bootc discussion forums

Use the provided artifacthub-repo.yml to index your custom image on ArtifactHub. Benefits include:

Discoverability for others building on similar foundations

Community visibility and collaboration

A place to show off your README and reach your audience

Explore real-world bootc-based images:

m2Giles' OS

bOS

Homer

Amy OS

VeneOS

🚀 Next Steps Start customizing your image by editing:

Containerfile: Add RPMs, files, layers, etc.

GitHub workflows: Automate builds, ISO creation, and signing

Leverage Nix, Podman, and RPM strategically to build secure, reproducible, and efficient systems