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| Synopsis: Distrobox is a powerful tool for Linux users who want to use or try out different distributions without having to reboot the system or create virtual machines. It allows you to create containers from different Linux distributions and integrate them into your host system, offering an almost native experience. |
Contents
How to install
At present, Distrobox is not available as a Mageia package. However, it is straightforward to install.
To install, simply type the following command in the terminal:
curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/89luca89/distrobox/main/install | sudo sh
or if you haven't set up your user to allow sudo
su -
curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/89luca89/distrobox/main/install | sh
You must have a container environment installed in order for Distrobox to work, so either docker or podman (both available from MCC)
How does it work?
Distrobox uses containerization technologies such as Podman or Docker to create isolated environments. However, it goes further, sharing resources from the host system with these containers, such as:
- Home directory: Allows you to access your personal files from any distribution.
- USB devices: Allows you to use external devices inside containers.
- Audio: Allows you to play audio and use microphones.
- X11/Wayland: Allows you to run applications with a graphical interface.
Why use Distrobox?
- Software not available in Mageia: Execute software in the Mageia graphical environment where the software's package cannot be installed in Mageia itself.
- Try out different distributions: Without having to install each one on a separate machine.
- Isolation: Protect your host system from potential problems caused by a specific distribution (note that the degree of protection depends on which of docker or podman you employ with Distrobox).
- Flexibility: Install and run applications from different distributions on the same system.
- Resource sharing: Make it easier to work between different distributions.
Main commands
- distrobox-create: Creates a new container with a specific distribution.
- distrobox-enter: Enters a running container.
- distrobox-list: Lists all created containers.
- distrobox-rm: Removes a container.
- distrobox-stop: Stops a running container.
- distrobox-export: Exports applications or services from a container to the host.
- distrobox-init: Entry point to a container.
- distrobox-host-exec: Executes commands on the host from within a container.
Basic example (Distro testing)
To create a container with the Arch Linux distribution and enter it:
distrobox-create archlinux
distrobox-enter archlinux
Non-native package example (Amazon Workspaces client)
distrobox create --image ubuntu:22.04 --name ubuntu
distrobox enter ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends ubuntu-desktop -y
wget https://d3nt0h4h6pmmc4.cloudfront.net/new_workspacesclient_jammy_amd64.deb
sudo apt install ./new_workspacesclient_jammy_amd64.deb -y
distrobox-export --app workspacesclient
Further reading
Official documentation: [1]
This Wiki page is based on Brazilian Portugese version
