TL;DR
A GitHub project packages an ostree-based, immutable Arch Linux image that omits a traditional package manager and leans on a Fedora Silverblue-style workflow. The build defaults use CachyOS Zen4 kernels and offers GHCR images plus scripts to build and deploy locally via ostree.
What happened
A developer published an ostree-backed Arch Linux distribution repository called vyy that aims to provide a Silverblue-like immutable experience for Arch users. The image ships as a read-only system without a package manager; changes come from ostree commits and deployments or by editing the package configuration and rebuilding. The default builds target a Zen4 kernel flavor drawn from CachyOS; scripts and system units are provided to build locally (or run daily builds) and to commit and deploy to an ostree repository. The README recommends installing an existing immutable Fedora spin (Silverblue, Kinoite, etc.) first, then switching to the GHCR image or using the included build scripts. The project includes code to restructure a standard pacstrap root for ostree compatibility, create an initramfs with ostree support, and set sane defaults like wheel sudo access. The work is marked as in-progress and may miss some pieces.
Why it matters
- Offers an immutable Arch-based option for users who prefer ostree workflows over package managers.
- Bridges Arch packaging with Silverblue-style deployment mechanics, enabling atomic updates and rollbacks.
- Signed kernel images and provided secure-boot certificate support make it possible to enable secure boot after trusting keys.
- Provides scripts to reproduce images locally, which can help users and operators automate builds and deployments.
Key facts
- Project name: vyy, hosted on GitHub under myyc/vyy.
- The image is ostree-based and intentionally omits a system package manager; changes are applied via ostree commits/deploys or rebuilding configs.
- Default builds target Zen4 kernels (CachyOS packages); scripts accept zen4, zen3, or generic arguments though zen3/generic are not fully tested.
- A GHCR image tag exists for vyy-zen4 and the README suggests switching to it with sudo bootc switch ghcr.io/myyc/vyy-zen4:latest.
- Kernel images are signed; README shows enabling secure boot by importing /usr/share/vyy/secureboot.cer with sudo mokutil –import.
- Build workflow includes running scripts/dev.sh, build-vyy-root.sh, then ostree commit and sudo ostree admin deploy vyy.
- Restructure.sh is used during the build to move system files into /usr, make the root ostree-compatible, build initramfs with the ostree module, and enable wheel sudo access.
- Package list for the image is maintained in config/packages.txt and the main build is based on a pacstrap setup.
- Distrobox is included as the supported mechanism for adding user tools and working around the immutable base.
- No official zen3 builds are uploaded to GHCR at the time of the README; local builds for zen3 are possible via scripts.
What to watch next
- Whether the repository starts publishing official zen3 or additional multi-arch builds to GHCR (README notes none uploaded for zen3).
- Testing and compatibility reports for zen3 and generic targets, since those arguments are untested in the README.
- Long-term maintenance and release cadence for GHCR images and ostree branches (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- ostree: A versioned filesystem for managing bootable, immutable operating system trees and enabling atomic upgrades and rollbacks.
- Immutable OS: An operating system model where the base system is read-only and updates are applied as whole commits or images rather than individual packages.
- Silverblue: A Fedora family of immutable desktop variants that use ostree-style deployment and layered or containerized applications.
- pacstrap: A tool used to install Arch Linux base system packages into a specified directory; commonly used to build chroots or system roots.
- Secure Boot: A platform firmware feature that ensures only signed boot components run, often requiring users to trust a signing key before enabling it.
Reader FAQ
Is there a package manager on this system?
No. The system is immutable and does not include a traditional package manager; changes come from ostree commits or by rebuilding the image.
How do I install or try vyy?
The README suggests installing a Fedora immutable spin (Silverblue, Kinoite, etc.) then running sudo bootc switch ghcr.io/myyc/vyy-zen4:latest and rebooting.
Does it support secure boot?
The kernel is signed and the README shows importing the provided secureboot.cer with sudo mokutil –import to enable secure boot.
Can I build the image locally?
Yes. The README documents using scripts like scripts/dev.sh and build-vyy-root.sh followed by ostree commit and sudo ostree admin deploy vyy to build and deploy locally.
Are zen3 builds available on GHCR?
The README states there are no zen3 builds uploaded; you can build zen3 locally using the provided scripts.
vyy An ostree-based full fledged Arch Linux distribution, with no package manager. Basically Fedora Silverblue but with CachyOS' Zen4 packages, because we all want that 1% performance improvement. It's a…
Sources
- Show HN: An immutable ostree-based Arch Linux image
- Immutable Linux Distributions Rise: Fedora Silverblue and …
- A few newbie questions about Silverblue (and immutable …
- Minimal or custom Silverblue/OSTree images
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