How to Create Your Own Custom Linux Distribution (Arch & Debian Based)

Have you ever wanted to build your own Linux distribution — one that boots into your favorite tools, is free from bloatware, and carries your branding? Whether for developers, schools, or personal experiments, creating a custom Linux distro is not only possible but also straightforward with the right tools.

In this article, we’ll explore how to build a custom distro using Arch Linux and Debian, two of the most popular Linux bases.

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Why Create a Custom Linux Distro?

• Developer-focused OS: Ship preinstalled dev tools (Docker, Git, Nmap, Node.js, Python, etc.)
• Lightweight system: Remove unnecessary packages and bloat
• Branding: Add custom wallpapers, logos, welcome banners (motd, issue)
• Live USB boot: Distribute as an ISO for testing or real-world use
• Learning: Understand the Linux boot process and system internals

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1. Building on Arch Linux (Using archiso)

Arch Linux is known for being minimal and rolling-release. It’s perfect for building a lean, developer-focused distro.

🛠 Requirements

• An Arch Linux environment (VM, container, or physical machine)
• archiso package

Install the tool:

sudo pacman -Sy archiso

Setup Project

cp -r /usr/share/archiso/configs/releng peculiarlinux
cd peculiarlinux

This copies the official ArchISO template into your workspace.

Add Packages

Edit packages.x86_64 and add your desired software:

base
linux
linux-firmware
sudo
openssh
git
nmap
htop
docker
containerd
docker-compose
vim
neovim
python
nodejs
npm
rust
go
xorg
xfce4
lightdm
lightdm-gtk-greeter

Add Default User

Create airootfs/usr/local/bin/create-default-user.sh:

#!/bin/bash
USERNAME=developer
if ! id "$USERNAME" &>/dev/null; then
  useradd -m -G wheel,docker -s /bin/bash "$USERNAME"
  echo "$USERNAME:peculiar" | chpasswd
  echo "%wheel ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL" > /etc/sudoers.d/90-wheel-nopasswd
fi

Make it executable:

chmod +x airootfs/usr/local/bin/create-default-user.sh

Add a systemd service (airootfs/etc/systemd/system/create-default-user.service) to run it on boot.

Branding

• MOTD: airootfs/etc/motd
• Issue banner: airootfs/etc/issue
• Wallpapers: airootfs/usr/share/backgrounds/peculiar/

Build ISO

mkarchiso -v -o ../out .

Result → peculiarlinux-YYYY.MM.DD-x86_64.iso
This ISO is hybrid, so you can boot it in VMs or write it directly to USB.

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2. Building on Debian (Using debootstrap + refractasnapshot)

Debian is a stable and clean base with fewer extras than Ubuntu, making it a great choice for a minimal but reliable distro.

Requirements

sudo apt update
sudo apt install debootstrap squashfs-tools grub-pc-bin grub-efi-amd64-bin xorriso live-boot refractasnapshot -y

Bootstrap Minimal Debian

sudo debootstrap --arch=amd64 bookworm ./peculiar-chroot http://deb.debian.org/debian/

This creates a base Debian system inside ./peculiar-chroot.

🔧 Enter Chroot

sudo mount --bind /dev ./peculiar-chroot/dev
sudo mount --bind /proc ./peculiar-chroot/proc
sudo mount --bind /sys ./peculiar-chroot/sys
sudo chroot ./peculiar-chroot /bin/bash

Install Packages

Inside chroot:

apt update
apt install -y sudo git nmap openssh-server docker.io docker-compose   python3 python3-pip nodejs npm golang htop tmux curl wget   xorg xfce4 lightdm lightdm-gtk-greeter

Add Default User

useradd -m -G sudo,docker -s /bin/bash developer
echo "developer:peculiar" | chpasswd
echo "%sudo ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL" > /etc/sudoers.d/90-sudo-nopasswd

Branding

• /etc/motd for login message
• /etc/issue for pre-login banner
• /usr/share/backgrounds/peculiar/ for wallpapers

Exit Chroot & Cleanup

exit
sudo umount ./peculiar-chroot/{dev,proc,sys}

Build ISO

Run:

sudo refractasnapshot

This generates a bootable ISO, typically named live-image-amd64.hybrid.iso.

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3. Which Base Should You Choose?

Feature	Arch (archiso)	Debian (debootstrap/live-build)
Release model	Rolling release	Stable release
ISO size	Very small, minimal base	Slightly bigger base
Ease of updates	Always latest	Needs backports for latest packages
Learning curve	More DIY, teaches Linux internals	Easier to automate
Best for	Bleeding-edge dev distro	Stable, long-term live distro

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Conclusion

Creating your own Linux distribution is not as complex as it sounds.

• With ArchISO, you get bleeding-edge minimalism and maximum control.
• With Debian + debootstrap, you get rock-solid stability and a clean base without Ubuntu’s extras.

Both paths let you build a distro like PeculiarLinux — lightweight, branded, developer-ready, and bootable on USB or VMs.