penguins-eggs

README

Penguin's eggs are generated and new birds are ready to fly...

It took years of work to create the penguins-eggs, and I also incurred expenses for renting the site and subscribing to Google Gemini, for the artificial intelligence that is now indispensable.

Index

• README
• Penguin's eggs are generated and new birds are ready to fly...
• penguins-eggs
• Installation
• Usage
• The Aviary: Tools & Terminology
• Supported Distributions
• Links & Documentation
• Commands
• GUI
• Book
• Copyright and licenses

Links

• Blog
• Cook eggs in 5 minutes!
• Users guide
• Wardrobe users' guide
• FAQ
• Changelog

penguins-eggs

penguins-eggs (or simply eggs) is a console tool that allows you to remaster your system and redistribute it as live images on USB sticks or via PXE.

Think of it as a way to "hatch" a new system from an existing one. It is a system cloning and distribution remastering tool primarily designed for Linux. It allows users to create customized live ISO images or backups of a Linux system, replicating the setup easily.

Key Capabilities

• Distribution Remastering: Craft your own Linux distro (or a spin of an existing one). Tweak an existing system, strip or add components, and package it as a new ISO.
• System Backup & Cloning: Create a snapshot of your current system, including installed packages and configurations.
• Distro-Agnostic: Works across Debian, Devuan, Ubuntu, Arch, Fedora, AlmaLinux, Rocky, OpenSuSE, and Alpine.
• Multi-Architecture: Debian/Ubuntu packages are relased for i386, amd64, arm64 and riscv64 (native recursive remastering).
• Fast & Efficient: Leverages OverlayFS to avoid physically copying the entire filesystem, combined with zstd compression (up to 10x faster).
• Secure: Supports LUKS encryption for user data within the ISO.

Installation

There are three main ways to install eggs. Choose the one that fits your workflow.

Method 1: The "Fresh Eggs" Script (Recommended)

This is the most practical way suitable for all supported distros. It automatically configures necessary repositories (like NodeSource) and installs dependencies.

git clone [https://github.com/pieroproietti/fresh-eggs](https://github.com/pieroproietti/fresh-eggs)
cd fresh-eggs
sudo ./fresh-eggs.sh

Method 2: AppImage (Universal)

Download the latest AppImage from Releases.

Prerequisites: Depending on your distro, you may need FUSE:

• Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install fuse libfuse2
• Arch: sudo pacman -S fuse2
• Fedora: sudo dnf install fuse fuse-libs

Run:

chmod +x penguins-eggs-*.AppImage
sudo ./penguins-eggs-*.AppImage

The AppImage will automatically configure itself as /usr/bin/eggs.

Method 3: Native Packages

If you prefer native package managers, specific repositories are available.

Family	Instructions
Debian/Ubuntu	Install Guide / PPA Info
Arch/Manjaro	Available in AUR and Manjaro Community. Use yay penguins-eggs or pamac install penguins-eggs.
Fedora/RHEL	Fedora Guide / Enterprise Linux
Alpine	Available in the penguins-alpine repo.

Usage

Once installed, simply run eggs to see the available commands.

Basic: Create a Clean ISO

This creates a distributable live ISO without user data. Perfect for sharing your custom distro.

sudo eggs produce

Cloning: Backup Your System

To keep your user data, configurations, and files:

Goal	Command	Description
Standard Clone	eggs produce --clone	Copies user data unencrypted. Do not share publicly.
Home Encryption	eggs produce --homecrypt	Encrypts /home data inside the ISO using LUKS.
Full Encryption	eggs produce --fullcrypt	Encrypts the entire system (Debian/Devuan only).

Compression Options

• --pendrive: Optimized for USBs (zstd level 15).
• --standard: Uses xz compression.
• --max: Maximum compression (xz -Xbcj).

The Aviary: Tools & Terminology

penguins-eggs uses a bird-themed naming convention for its internal tools:

• Wardrobe: A tool to organize customizations, scripts, and themes. It allows you to switch between configurations (e.g., from a bare CLI system to a full GUI). See penguins-wardrobe.
• Cuckoo: A PXE boot server feature. It allows you to boot your generated ISO on other computers over the local network without needing a USB drive.
• Yolk: A local repository bundled inside the ISO containing essential packages, allowing offline installation.
• Krill: The internal CLI/TUI system installer. Essential for server installs or when no GUI is available.
• Calamares: The industry-standard GUI installer, automatically configured by eggs for desktop environments.
• Mom & Dad:
  • eggs mom: Interactive help and documentation assistant.
  • eggs dad: Configuration wizard. Run sudo eggs dad -d to reset configuration.

Supported Distributions

eggs is designed to be distro-agnostic. It respects the original package manager and repository lists.

• Debian Family: Debian, Devuan, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Kali, KDE Neon, Pop!_OS.
• Arch Family: Arch Linux, Manjaro, Biglinux, EndeavourOS, Garuda.
• RPM Family: Fedora, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, OpenSUSE.
• Others: Alpine Linux.

[!NOTE] For a complete and updated list, please consult SUPPORTED-DISTROS.

Links & Documentation

• Official Website: penguins-eggs.net
• Blog & News: The Triple Somersault
• SourceForge ISOs: Download Examples
• User Guide: Wardrobe User Guide

Commands

• eggs adapt
• eggs autocomplete [SHELL]
• eggs calamares
• eggs config
• eggs cuckoo
• eggs dad
• eggs export appimage
• eggs export iso
• eggs export pkg
• eggs export tarballs
• eggs help [COMMAND]
• eggs kill
• eggs krill
• eggs love
• eggs mom
• eggs produce
• eggs setup install
• eggs setup purge
• eggs status
• eggs tools clean
• eggs tools repo
• eggs tools skel
• eggs tools stat
• eggs tools yolk
• eggs update
• eggs version
• eggs wardrobe get [REPO]
• eggs wardrobe list [REPO]
• eggs wardrobe show [REPO]
• eggs wardrobe wear [REPO]

eggs adapt

adapt monitor resolution for VM only

USAGE
  $ eggs adapt [-h] [-v]

FLAGS
  -h, --help     Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose

DESCRIPTION
  adapt monitor resolution for VM only

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs adapt

See code: src/commands/adapt.ts

eggs autocomplete [SHELL]

Display autocomplete installation instructions.

USAGE
  $ eggs autocomplete [SHELL] [-r]

ARGUMENTS
  [SHELL]  (zsh|bash|powershell) Shell type

FLAGS
  -r, --refresh-cache  Refresh cache (ignores displaying instructions)

DESCRIPTION
  Display autocomplete installation instructions.

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs autocomplete

  $ eggs autocomplete bash

  $ eggs autocomplete zsh

  $ eggs autocomplete powershell

  $ eggs autocomplete --refresh-cache

See code: @oclif/plugin-autocomplete

eggs calamares

a GUI system installer - install and configure calamares

USAGE
  $ eggs calamares [-h] [-i] [-n] [-p] [-r] [--remove] [--theme <value>] [-v]

FLAGS
  -h, --help           Show CLI help.
  -i, --install        install calamares and its dependencies
  -n, --nointeractive  no user interaction
  -p, --policies       configure calamares policies
  -r, --release        release: remove calamares and all its dependencies after the installation
  -v, --verbose
      --remove         remove calamares and its dependencies
      --theme=<value>  theme/branding for eggs and calamares

DESCRIPTION
  a GUI system installer - install and configure calamares

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs calamares

  sudo eggs calamares --install

  sudo eggs calamares --install --theme=/path/to/theme

  sudo eggs calamares --remove

See code: src/commands/calamares.ts

eggs config

Configure eggs to run it

USAGE
  $ eggs config [-c] [-h] [-n] [-v]

FLAGS
  -c, --clean          remove old configuration before to create new one
  -h, --help           Show CLI help.
  -n, --nointeractive  no user interaction
  -v, --verbose        verbose

DESCRIPTION
  Configure eggs to run it

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs config

  sudo eggs config --clean

  sudo eggs config --clean --nointeractive

See code: src/commands/config.ts

eggs cuckoo

PXE start with proxy-dhcp

USAGE
  $ eggs cuckoo [-h] [-v]

FLAGS
  -h, --help     Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose  verbose

DESCRIPTION
  PXE start with proxy-dhcp

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs cuckoo

See code: src/commands/cuckoo.ts

eggs dad

ask help from daddy - TUI configuration helper

USAGE
  $ eggs dad [-c] [-d] [-f <value>] [-h] [-n] [-v]

FLAGS
  -c, --clean          remove old configuration before to create
  -d, --default        reset to default values
  -f, --file=<value>   use a file configuration custom
  -h, --help           Show CLI help.
  -n, --nointeractive  no user interaction
  -v, --verbose

DESCRIPTION
  ask help from daddy - TUI configuration helper

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs dad

  sudo eggs dad --clean

  sudo eggs dad --default

See code: src/commands/dad.ts

eggs export appimage

export penguins-eggs AppImage to the destination host

USAGE
  $ eggs export appimage [-c] [-h] [-v]

FLAGS
  -c, --clean    remove old .AppImage before to copy
  -h, --help     Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose  verbose

DESCRIPTION
  export penguins-eggs AppImage to the destination host

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs export pkg

  $ eggs export pkg --clean

  $ eggs export pkg --all

See code: src/commands/export/appimage.ts

eggs export iso

export remastered ISO in the destination host

USAGE
  $ eggs export iso [-C] [-c] [-h] [-v]

FLAGS
  -C, --checksum  export checksums md5 and sha256
  -c, --clean     delete old ISOs before to copy
  -h, --help      Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose   verbose

DESCRIPTION
  export remastered ISO in the destination host

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs export iso

  $ eggs export iso --clean

See code: src/commands/export/iso.ts

eggs export pkg

export penguins-eggs package to the destination host

USAGE
  $ eggs export pkg [-a] [-c] [-h] [-v]

FLAGS
  -a, --all      export all archs
  -c, --clean    remove old .deb before to copy
  -h, --help     Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose  verbose

DESCRIPTION
  export penguins-eggs package to the destination host

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs export pkg

  $ eggs export pkg --clean

  $ eggs export pkg --all

See code: src/commands/export/pkg.ts

eggs export tarballs

export pkg/iso/tarballs to the destination host

USAGE
  $ eggs export tarballs [-c] [-h] [-v]

FLAGS
  -c, --clean    remove old .deb before to copy
  -h, --help     Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose  verbose

DESCRIPTION
  export pkg/iso/tarballs to the destination host

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs export tarballs

  $ eggs export tarballs --clean

See code: src/commands/export/tarballs.ts

eggs help [COMMAND]

Display help for eggs.

USAGE
  $ eggs help [COMMAND...] [-n]

ARGUMENTS
  [COMMAND...]  Command to show help for.

FLAGS
  -n, --nested-commands  Include all nested commands in the output.

DESCRIPTION
  Display help for eggs.

See code: @oclif/plugin-help

eggs kill

kill the eggs/free the nest

USAGE
  $ eggs kill [-h] [-i] [-n] [-v]

FLAGS
  -h, --help           Show CLI help.
  -i, --isos           erase all ISOs on remote mount
  -n, --nointeractive  no user interaction
  -v, --verbose        verbose

DESCRIPTION
  kill the eggs/free the nest

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs kill

See code: src/commands/kill.ts

eggs krill

a TUI system installer - install the system

USAGE
  $ eggs krill [-b] [-c] [-k] [-d <value>] [-H] [-h] [-i] [-n] [-N] [-p] [-r] [-R <value>] [-s] [-S] [-t]
    [-u] [-v]

FLAGS
  -H, --halt             Halt the system after installation
  -N, --none             Swap none: 256M
  -R, --replace=<value>  Replace partition. eg: --replace /dev/sda3
  -S, --suspend          Swap suspend: RAM x 2
  -b, --btrfs            Format btrfs
  -c, --chroot           chroot before to end
  -d, --domain=<value>   Domain name, defult: .local
  -h, --help             Show CLI help.
  -i, --ip               hostname as ip, eg: ip-192-168-1-33
  -k, --crypted          Crypted CLI installation
  -n, --nointeractive    no user interaction
  -p, --pve              Proxmox VE install
  -r, --random           Add random to hostname, eg: colibri-ay412dt
  -s, --small            Swap small: RAM
  -t, --testing          Just testing krill
  -u, --unattended       Unattended installation
  -v, --verbose          Verbose

DESCRIPTION
  a TUI system installer - install the system

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs install

  sudo eggs install --unattended --halt

  sudo eggs install --chroot

See code: src/commands/krill.ts

eggs love

the simplest way to get an egg!

USAGE
  $ eggs love [-c] [-f] [-h] [-H] [-k] [-n] [-v]

FLAGS
  -H, --hidden         stealth mode
  -c, --clone          clone (uncrypted)
  -f, --fullcrypt      clone crypted full
  -h, --help           Show CLI help.
  -k, --homecrypt      clone crypted home
  -n, --nointeractive  no user interaction
  -v, --verbose

DESCRIPTION
  the simplest way to get an egg!

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs love

See code: src/commands/love.ts

eggs mom

ask help from mommy - TUI helper

USAGE
  $ eggs mom [-h]

FLAGS
  -h, --help  Show CLI help.

DESCRIPTION
  ask help from mommy - TUI helper

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs mom

See code: src/commands/mom.ts

eggs produce

produce a live image from your system

USAGE
  $ eggs produce [--addons <value>...] [--basename <value>] [-c] [--excludes <value>...] [-f] [-h] [-H] [-k]
    [-i] [-K <value>] [--links <value>...] [-m] [-N] [-n] [-p] [-P <value>] [--release] [-s] [-S] [--theme <value>] [-v]
    [-y]

FLAGS
  -H, --hidden               stealth mode
  -K, --kernel=<value>       kernel version
  -N, --noicon               no icon eggs on desktop
  -P, --prefix=<value>       prefix
  -S, --standard             standard compression: xz -b 1M
  -c, --clone                clone (uncrypted)
  -f, --fullcrypt            clone crypted full
  -h, --help                 Show CLI help.
  -i, --includeRootHome      folder /root is included on live
  -k, --homecrypt            clone crypted home
  -m, --max                  max compression: xz -Xbcj ...
  -n, --nointeractive        no user interaction
  -p, --pendrive             optimized for pendrive: zstd -b 1M -Xcompression-level 15
  -s, --script               script mode. Generate scripts to manage iso build
  -v, --verbose              verbose
  -y, --yolk                 force yolk renew
      --addons=<value>...    addons to be used: adapt, pve, rsupport
      --basename=<value>     basename
      --excludes=<value>...  use: static, homes, home
      --links=<value>...     desktop links
      --release              release: remove penguins-eggs, calamares and dependencies after installation
      --theme=<value>        theme for livecd, calamares branding and partitions

DESCRIPTION
  produce a live image from your system

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs produce                    # zstd fast compression

  sudo eggs produce --pendrive         # zstd compression optimized pendrive

  sudo eggs produce --clone            # clear clone (unencrypted)

  sudo eggs produce --homecrypt      # clone crypted home (all inside /home is cypted)

  sudo eggs produce --fullcrypt      # clone crypted full (entire system is crypted)

  sudo eggs produce --basename=colibri

See code: src/commands/produce.ts

eggs setup install

Automatically check and install system prerequisites

USAGE
  $ eggs setup install

DESCRIPTION
  Automatically check and install system prerequisites

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs setup                           # this help

  sudo eggs setup install              # install native dependencies, autocomplete, man, etc

  sudo eggs setup purge                # purge all configurations, autocomplete, man, etc installed from penguins-eggs AppImage

See code: src/commands/setup/install.ts

eggs setup purge

Automatically check and install system prerequisites

USAGE
  $ eggs setup purge

DESCRIPTION
  Automatically check and install system prerequisites

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs setup                           # this help

  sudo eggs setup install              # install native dependencies, autocomplete, man, etc

  sudo eggs setup purge                # purge all configurations, autocomplete, man, etc installed from penguins-eggs AppImage

See code: src/commands/setup/purge.ts

eggs status

informations about eggs status

USAGE
  $ eggs status [-h] [-v]

FLAGS
  -h, --help     Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose

DESCRIPTION
  informations about eggs status

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs status

See code: src/commands/status.ts

eggs tools clean

clean system log, apt, etc

USAGE
  $ eggs tools clean [-h] [-n] [-v]

FLAGS
  -h, --help           Show CLI help.
  -n, --nointeractive  no user interaction
  -v, --verbose        verbose

DESCRIPTION
  clean system log, apt, etc

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs tools clean

See code: src/commands/tools/clean.ts

eggs tools repo

add/remove penguins-repos

USAGE
  $ eggs tools repo [-a] [-h] [-n] [-r] [-v]

FLAGS
  -a, --add            add penguins-repos
  -h, --help           Show CLI help.
  -n, --nointeractive  no user interaction
  -r, --remove         remove penguins-repos
  -v, --verbose        verbose

DESCRIPTION
  add/remove penguins-repos

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs tools repo --add

  sudo eggs tools repo --remove

See code: src/commands/tools/repo.ts

eggs tools skel

update skel from home configuration

USAGE
  $ eggs tools skel [-h] [-u <value>] [-v]

FLAGS
  -h, --help          Show CLI help.
  -u, --user=<value>  user to be used
  -v, --verbose

DESCRIPTION
  update skel from home configuration

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs tools skel

  sudo eggs tools skel --user user-to-be-copied

See code: src/commands/tools/skel.ts

eggs tools stat

get statistics from sourceforge

USAGE
  $ eggs tools stat [-h] [-m] [-y]

FLAGS
  -h, --help   Show CLI help.
  -m, --month  current month
  -y, --year   current year

DESCRIPTION
  get statistics from sourceforge

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs tools stat

  $ eggs tools stat --month

  $ eggs tools stat --year

See code: src/commands/tools/stat.ts

eggs tools yolk

configure eggs to install without internet

USAGE
  $ eggs tools yolk [-h] [-v]

FLAGS
  -h, --help     Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose

DESCRIPTION
  configure eggs to install without internet

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs tools yolk

See code: src/commands/tools/yolk.ts

eggs update

update the Penguins' eggs tool

USAGE
  $ eggs update [-h] [-v]

FLAGS
  -h, --help     Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose  verbose

DESCRIPTION
  update the Penguins' eggs tool

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs update

See code: src/commands/update.ts

eggs version

USAGE
  $ eggs version [--json] [--verbose]

FLAGS
  --verbose  Show additional information about the CLI.

GLOBAL FLAGS
  --json  Format output as json.

FLAG DESCRIPTIONS
  --verbose  Show additional information about the CLI.

    Additionally shows the architecture, node version, operating system, and versions of plugins that the CLI is using.

See code: @oclif/plugin-version

eggs wardrobe get [REPO]

get warorobe

USAGE
  $ eggs wardrobe get [REPO] [-h] [-v]

ARGUMENTS
  [REPO]  repository to get

FLAGS
  -h, --help     Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose

DESCRIPTION
  get warorobe

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs wardrobe get

  $ eggs wardrobe get your-wardrobe

See code: src/commands/wardrobe/get.ts

eggs wardrobe list [REPO]

list costumes and accessoires in wardrobe

USAGE
  $ eggs wardrobe list [REPO] [-d <value>] [-h] [-v]

ARGUMENTS
  [REPO]  wardrobe to get

FLAGS
  -d, --distro=<value>  distro
  -h, --help            Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose

DESCRIPTION
  list costumes and accessoires in wardrobe

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs wardrobe list

  $ eggs wardrobe list your-wardrobe

  $ eggs wardrobe list --distro arch

See code: src/commands/wardrobe/list.ts

eggs wardrobe show [REPO]

show costumes/accessories in wardrobe

USAGE
  $ eggs wardrobe show [REPO] [-h] [-j] [-v] [-w <value>]

ARGUMENTS
  [REPO]  costume to show

FLAGS
  -h, --help              Show CLI help.
  -j, --json              output JSON
  -v, --verbose
  -w, --wardrobe=<value>  wardrobe

DESCRIPTION
  show costumes/accessories in wardrobe

EXAMPLES
  $ eggs wardrobe show colibri

  $ eggs wardrobe show accessories/firmwares

  $ eggs wardrobe show accessories/

See code: src/commands/wardrobe/show.ts

eggs wardrobe wear [REPO]

wear costume/accessories from wardrobe

USAGE
  $ eggs wardrobe wear [REPO] [-h] [-a] [-f] [-v] [-w <value>]

ARGUMENTS
  [REPO]  costume to wear

FLAGS
  -a, --no_accessories    not install accessories
  -f, --no_firmwares      not install firmwares
  -h, --help              Show CLI help.
  -v, --verbose
  -w, --wardrobe=<value>  wardrobe

DESCRIPTION
  wear costume/accessories from wardrobe

EXAMPLES
  sudo eggs wardrobe wear duck

  sudo eggs wardrobe wear accessories/firmwares

  sudo eggs wardrobe wear wagtail/waydroid

See code: src/commands/wardrobe/wear.ts

GUI

There are two GUIs for penguins-eggs at the moment: eggsmaker and penGUI.

eggsmaker

A project by Jorge Luis Endres.

eggsmaker is a graphical interface for penguins-eggs.

Written by my friend Jorge Luis Endres, it is essential and functional. It doesn’t cover all the possibilities of penguins-eggs, but in the end, a GUI should be simple and intuitive.

I like it, I hope you like it too, and I thank Jorge for his daring.

eggsmaker packages are available on Jorge gdrive.

Book

My friend Hosein Seilany founder of predator-os, has written a book on Penguins's eggs, with my partecipation. It's a remarkable work - even in size and weight - so it's a great honor to announce it here!

That's all, Folks!

One of the standout features of Penguins Eggs' is its hassle-free setup. It comes with all the necessary configurations, making it a convenient choice for users. Just like in real life, the magic of Penguins Eggs' lies within - no additional setup required!

More Information

In addition to the official guide, there are other resources available for Penguins Eggs' users, particularly developers. These resources can be found in the penguins-eggs repository under the documents section.

Some noteworthy documents include:

• Hens: Different Species: A brief guide on using Penguins Eggs' in Debian, Arch, and Manjaro.
• Arch-naked: A blog post detailing how to create an Arch naked live, install it, and customize the resulting system into a graphics development station.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact me via email at [e-mail]. You can also stay updated by following my blog or connecting with me on , Telegram, Mastodom, Facebook, GitHub, Jitsi, Reddit or Twitter, Mastodom.

A word of thanks

• This README would not be so well cared for if not for the work of Hosein Seilain who spent his time revising and supplementing the text;
• The eggs icon was designed by Charlie Martinez;
• and a word of thanks to all of you who are using it and providing feedback and motivation to continue it.

Thank you!

Star History

This project collects stars, look to the sky... contribute!

Copyright and licenses

Copyright (c) 2017, 2026 Piero Proietti, dual licensed under the MIT or GPL Version 2 licenses.