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Vectos OS Bootable UI Guide

This repository currently holds the Linux kernel source tree used by Vectos OS. The installable live system, visual branding, and installer live in a separate Debian live-build workspace.

The workspace added in this repository is vectos-live-build, which contains the starting package lists, identity files, and build wrapper.

Quick Start

Base system      Debian Live
Build tools      live-build, debootstrap, squashfs-tools, xorriso
Output ISO       live-image-amd64.hybrid.iso
USB writer       Rufus on Windows or dd on Linux

Phase 1: Base system setup

  1. Pick the base.
    • Recommended: Debian Live
    • Alternatives: Kali base or Ubuntu minimal
  2. Install build tools on the host.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install live-build debootstrap squashfs-tools xorriso
  1. Create a build workspace.
mkdir vectos-os
cd vectos-os
  1. Initialize the live-build tree.
lb config

Phase 2: Customize the OS

This is the UI layer for Vectos OS. It defines how the live system looks and feels before the user installs anything.

  1. Add default packages in config/package-lists/vectos.list.chroot.
git
nodejs
npm
python3
nmap
wireshark
steam
lutris
libreoffice
firefox
code
  1. Set the hostname in config/includes.chroot/etc/hostname.
vectos

  1. Replace OS identity across the live image.

    • /etc/os-release should say VectOS OS
    • GRUB menu text should show VectOS OS
    • Login screen should use the VectOS logo
    • Desktop wallpaper should use Vectos branding
    • Boot splash should use a matching theme

  2. Add the visible OS UI components.

    • Desktop wallpaper using the shared dragon logo
    • Lock screen art using the shared dragon logo
    • Login background using the shared dragon logo
    • Cursor and icon theme
    • Window theme and accent colors

  3. Keep the interface simple and bootable.

    • One clean launcher row
    • Clear system branding
    • Installer entry point visible on first boot

Phase 3: Calamares installer

  1. Install Calamares on the build host or in the installer image, depending on your packaging model.
sudo apt install calamares
  1. Add Vectos-specific modules.
  • Category selection: Gaming, Dev, Security
  • AI suggestion engine
  • Package installer module
  1. Configure Calamares in /etc/calamares/settings.conf or the live-image equivalent.
modules:
  - welcome
  - locale
  - keyboard
  - partition
  - users
  - vectos-select
  - vectos-ai
  - vectos-install
  - finished

Phase 4: Build the ISO

  1. Build the live image.
sudo lb build
  1. Rename the output ISO if desired.
mv live-image-amd64.hybrid.iso vectos-os.iso

Phase 5: Test in a VM

  1. Boot the ISO in VirtualBox or VMware.
  2. Verify the live desktop, installer flow, and package installation.
  3. Fix issues from logs before shipping.
  • Missing package: update the package list
  • Installer error: inspect Calamares logs
  • Boot failure: check GRUB and image generation

Phase 6: Make it bootable

  1. Write the ISO to a USB drive on Linux.
sudo dd if=vectos-os.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
  1. Use Rufus on Windows.
  2. Boot from the USB and confirm:
  • The live desktop loads
  • Calamares opens correctly
  • Branding shows Vectos OS everywhere
  • Package selection works

Phase 7: Share the release

  1. Publish the ISO.
  • GitHub Releases
  • Google Drive
  • Mega
  • Torrent for advanced distribution

What the finished system includes

  • Debian-based Linux kernel and userspace
  • Calamares installer with Vectos modules
  • AI-assisted package suggestions
  • APT-based package selection
  • Vectos branding across the live system
  • A clear bootable UI from first boot to installation

Next implementation step

Create a separate Debian live-build repository or top-level workspace for the live image, then link this kernel tree into that build as the kernel payload.

For this repository, the immediate build entrypoint is vectos-live-build/build.sh.

The generated ISO name is vectos-live-build/build/vectos-os-amd64.hybrid.iso.