Live-build Branding and Customization Workflows

This document provides detailed, actionable workflows for customizing and branding a Debian-based Linux distribution using Live-build. It covers all aspects of visual and functional customization, from basic theming to boot splash screens and login managers.

Directory Structure for Branding

When customizing a Debian Live system with branding elements, you’ll work primarily with these directories:

nanite-build/
├── config/
│   ├── includes.chroot/     # Files for the live system
│   │   ├── etc/             # System configuration
│   │   ├── usr/             # Applications, themes, icons
│   │   └── var/             # Variable data
│   ├── includes.binary/     # Files for the boot medium
│   │   └── boot/            # Boot-related files
│   ├── hooks/
│   │   ├── live/            # Hooks for live system
│   │   │   ├── *.hook.chroot
│   │   │   └── *.hook.binary
│   │   └── normal/          # Hooks for normal system
│   ├── package-lists/       # Package selection
│   └── preseed/             # Package configuration
└── branding/                # Source branding assets
    ├── logos/
    ├── themes/
    └── wallpapers/

1. System Branding Elements

1.1 Distribution Name and Version

To change the distribution name and version information system-wide:

Create a custom os-release file:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/etc

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/os-release with the following content:

PRETTY_NAME="Nanite AI Linux"
NAME="Nanite"
VERSION_ID="1.0"
VERSION="1.0 (Quantum)"
VERSION_CODENAME=quantum
ID=nanite
ID_LIKE=debian
HOME_URL="https://nanite.ai/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://nanite.ai/support/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://nanite.ai/bugs/"

Create a custom lsb-release file:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/lsb-release:

DISTRIB_ID=Nanite
DISTRIB_RELEASE=1.0
DISTRIB_CODENAME=quantum
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Nanite AI Linux 1.0 (Quantum)"

Create a custom issue file:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/issue:

Nanite AI Linux 1.0 \n \l

And config/includes.chroot/etc/issue.net:

Nanite AI Linux 1.0

1.2 Logo and Branding Assets

Create directories for branding assets:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/usr/share/nanite/branding
mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/usr/share/pixmaps
mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/usr/share/icons/hicolor/{16x16,22x22,24x24,32x32,48x48,64x64,128x128,256x256}/apps

Add your logo files:

# Copy logo to standard locations
cp branding/logos/nanite-logo.png config/includes.chroot/usr/share/pixmaps/nanite-logo.png
cp branding/logos/nanite-logo.svg config/includes.chroot/usr/share/nanite/branding/nanite-logo.svg
 
# Copy icons in various sizes
cp branding/logos/nanite-16.png config/includes.chroot/usr/share/icons/hicolor/16x16/apps/nanite.png
cp branding/logos/nanite-32.png config/includes.chroot/usr/share/icons/hicolor/32x32/apps/nanite.png
cp branding/logos/nanite-48.png config/includes.chroot/usr/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps/nanite.png
cp branding/logos/nanite-128.png config/includes.chroot/usr/share/icons/hicolor/128x128/apps/nanite.png

Update icon cache with a hook:

Create config/hooks/live/0050-update-icon-cache.hook.chroot:

#!/bin/sh
set -e
 
# Update icon cache
echo "Updating icon cache..."
gtk-update-icon-cache -f -t /usr/share/icons/hicolor
 
# Exit successfully
exit 0

Make it executable:

chmod +x config/hooks/live/0050-update-icon-cache.hook.chroot

2. Desktop Environment Customization (XFCE)

2.1 XFCE Theme and Appearance

Install required theme packages:

Create config/package-lists/themes.list.chroot:

arc-theme
papirus-icon-theme
fonts-noto
fonts-noto-color-emoji

Create default XFCE configuration:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/etc/skel/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml

Configure the XFCE appearance:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/skel/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xsettings.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
 
<channel name="xsettings" version="1.0">
  <property name="Net" type="empty">
    <property name="ThemeName" type="string" value="Arc-Dark"/>
    <property name="IconThemeName" type="string" value="Papirus-Dark"/>
    <property name="DoubleClickTime" type="empty"/>
    <property name="DoubleClickDistance" type="empty"/>
    <property name="DndDragThreshold" type="empty"/>
    <property name="CursorBlink" type="empty"/>
    <property name="CursorBlinkTime" type="empty"/>
    <property name="SoundThemeName" type="empty"/>
    <property name="EnableEventSounds" type="empty"/>
    <property name="EnableInputFeedbackSounds" type="empty"/>
  </property>
  <property name="Xft" type="empty">
    <property name="DPI" type="int" value="-1"/>
    <property name="Antialias" type="int" value="1"/>
    <property name="Hinting" type="int" value="1"/>
    <property name="HintStyle" type="string" value="hintslight"/>
    <property name="RGBA" type="string" value="rgb"/>
  </property>
  <property name="Gtk" type="empty">
    <property name="CanChangeAccels" type="empty"/>
    <property name="ColorPalette" type="empty"/>
    <property name="FontName" type="string" value="Noto Sans 10"/>
    <property name="MonospaceFontName" type="string" value="Noto Sans Mono 10"/>
    <property name="IconSizes" type="empty"/>
    <property name="KeyThemeName" type="empty"/>
    <property name="ToolbarStyle" type="string" value="icons"/>
    <property name="ToolbarIconSize" type="empty"/>
    <property name="MenuImages" type="bool" value="true"/>
    <property name="ButtonImages" type="bool" value="true"/>
    <property name="MenuBarAccel" type="empty"/>
    <property name="CursorThemeName" type="string" value="Adwaita"/>
    <property name="CursorThemeSize" type="empty"/>
    <property name="DecorationLayout" type="empty"/>
  </property>
</channel>

Configure the XFCE desktop:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/skel/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-desktop.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
 
<channel name="xfce4-desktop" version="1.0">
  <property name="backdrop" type="empty">
    <property name="screen0" type="empty">
      <property name="monitor0" type="empty">
        <property name="workspace0" type="empty">
          <property name="color-style" type="int" value="0"/>
          <property name="image-style" type="int" value="5"/>
          <property name="last-image" type="string" value="/usr/share/nanite/backgrounds/default.png"/>
        </property>
      </property>
    </property>
  </property>
  <property name="desktop-icons" type="empty">
    <property name="style" type="int" value="0"/>
    <property name="file-icons" type="empty">
      <property name="show-home" type="bool" value="true"/>
      <property name="show-filesystem" type="bool" value="true"/>
      <property name="show-trash" type="bool" value="true"/>
      <property name="show-removable" type="bool" value="true"/>
    </property>
  </property>
</channel>

Configure the XFCE panel:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/skel/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-panel.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
 
<channel name="xfce4-panel" version="1.0">
  <property name="configver" type="int" value="2"/>
  <property name="panels" type="array">
    <value type="int" value="1"/>
    <property name="dark-mode" type="bool" value="true"/>
    <property name="panel-1" type="empty">
      <property name="position" type="string" value="p=8;x=0;y=0"/>
      <property name="length" type="uint" value="100"/>
      <property name="position-locked" type="bool" value="true"/>
      <property name="icon-size" type="uint" value="24"/>
      <property name="size" type="uint" value="36"/>
      <property name="plugin-ids" type="array">
        <value type="int" value="1"/>
        <value type="int" value="2"/>
        <value type="int" value="3"/>
        <value type="int" value="4"/>
        <value type="int" value="5"/>
        <value type="int" value="6"/>
        <value type="int" value="7"/>
        <value type="int" value="8"/>
        <value type="int" value="9"/>
        <value type="int" value="10"/>
        <value type="int" value="11"/>
        <value type="int" value="12"/>
      </property>
    </property>
  </property>
  <property name="plugins" type="empty">
    <property name="plugin-1" type="string" value="applicationsmenu">
      <property name="button-icon" type="string" value="nanite"/>
      <property name="button-title" type="string" value="Nanite"/>
      <property name="show-button-title" type="bool" value="true"/>
    </property>
    <property name="plugin-2" type="string" value="tasklist"/>
    <property name="plugin-3" type="string" value="separator">
      <property name="expand" type="bool" value="true"/>
      <property name="style" type="uint" value="0"/>
    </property>
    <property name="plugin-4" type="string" value="systray"/>
    <property name="plugin-5" type="string" value="notification-plugin"/>
    <property name="plugin-6" type="string" value="indicator"/>
    <property name="plugin-7" type="string" value="statusnotifier"/>
    <property name="plugin-8" type="string" value="power-manager-plugin"/>
    <property name="plugin-9" type="string" value="pulseaudio">
      <property name="enable-keyboard-shortcuts" type="bool" value="true"/>
    </property>
    <property name="plugin-10" type="string" value="separator">
      <property name="style" type="uint" value="0"/>
    </property>
    <property name="plugin-11" type="string" value="clock">
      <property name="digital-format" type="string" value="%a %d %b, %R"/>
    </property>
    <property name="plugin-12" type="string" value="actions">
      <property name="appearance" type="uint" value="0"/>
      <property name="items" type="array">
        <value type="string" value="-lock-screen"/>
        <value type="string" value="-switch-user"/>
        <value type="string" value="-separator"/>
        <value type="string" value="-suspend"/>
        <value type="string" value="-hibernate"/>
        <value type="string" value="-hybrid-sleep"/>
        <value type="string" value="-separator"/>
        <value type="string" value="-shutdown"/>
        <value type="string" value="-restart"/>
        <value type="string" value="-separator"/>
        <value type="string" value="+logout"/>
        <value type="string" value="-logout-dialog"/>
      </property>
    </property>
  </property>
</channel>

2.2 Custom Wallpapers

Create directories for wallpapers:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/usr/share/nanite/backgrounds

Add your wallpapers:

cp branding/wallpapers/default.png config/includes.chroot/usr/share/nanite/backgrounds/
cp branding/wallpapers/nanite-*.png config/includes.chroot/usr/share/nanite/backgrounds/

Create a hook to set default wallpaper:

Create config/hooks/live/0060-set-wallpaper.hook.chroot:

#!/bin/sh
set -e
 
# Set default wallpaper for all users
echo "Setting default wallpaper..."
mkdir -p /etc/skel/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml
cat > /etc/skel/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-desktop.xml << EOF
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<channel name="xfce4-desktop" version="1.0">
  <property name="backdrop" type="empty">
    <property name="screen0" type="empty">
      <property name="monitor0" type="empty">
        <property name="workspace0" type="empty">
          <property name="color-style" type="int" value="0"/>
          <property name="image-style" type="int" value="5"/>
          <property name="last-image" type="string" value="/usr/share/nanite/backgrounds/default.png"/>
        </property>
      </property>
    </property>
  </property>
</channel>
EOF
 
# Exit successfully
exit 0

Make it executable:

chmod +x config/hooks/live/0060-set-wallpaper.hook.chroot

Create a custom menu entry for Nanite Assistant:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/usr/share/applications

Create config/includes.chroot/usr/share/applications/nanite-assistant.desktop:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Nanite AI Assistant
Comment=AI assistance powered by local LLMs
Exec=xfce4-terminal -e "ollama run nanite-assistant"
Icon=nanite
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Utility;AI;
StartupNotify=true

Create a custom menu category for AI tools:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/xdg/menus/applications-merged/nanite-ai.menu:

<!DOCTYPE Menu PUBLIC "-//freedesktop//DTD Menu 1.0//EN"
 "http://www.freedesktop.org/standards/menu-spec/1.0/menu.dtd">
<Menu>
  <Name>Applications</Name>
  <Menu>
    <Name>AI Tools</Name>
    <Directory>nanite-ai.directory</Directory>
    <Include>
      <Category>AI</Category>
    </Include>
  </Menu>
</Menu>

Create the directory file:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/usr/share/desktop-directories

Create config/includes.chroot/usr/share/desktop-directories/nanite-ai.directory:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=AI Tools
Comment=Artificial Intelligence Tools
Icon=nanite
Type=Directory

3. Boot Splash Customization (Plymouth)

3.1 Installing Plymouth

Add Plymouth to your package list:

Create or edit config/package-lists/boot.list.chroot:

plymouth
plymouth-themes
plymouth-x11

3.2 Creating a Custom Plymouth Theme

Create directories for the Plymouth theme:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/usr/share/plymouth/themes/nanite

Create the theme files:

Create config/includes.chroot/usr/share/plymouth/themes/nanite/nanite.plymouth:

[Plymouth Theme]
Name=Nanite
Description=Nanite AI Linux boot splash
ModuleName=script

[script]
ImageDir=/usr/share/plymouth/themes/nanite
ScriptFile=/usr/share/plymouth/themes/nanite/nanite.script

Create the Plymouth script:

Create config/includes.chroot/usr/share/plymouth/themes/nanite/nanite.script:

# Nanite Plymouth Script

# Screen size
screen_width = Window.GetWidth();
screen_height = Window.GetHeight();

# Background image
bg_image = Image("background.png");
bg_sprite = Sprite(bg_image);
bg_sprite.SetZ(-100);

# Scale background to fit screen
bg_image_width = bg_image.GetWidth();
bg_image_height = bg_image.GetHeight();
bg_scale_x = screen_width / bg_image_width;
bg_scale_y = screen_height / bg_image_height;
bg_sprite.SetScale(bg_scale_x, bg_scale_y);

# Logo image
logo_image = Image("logo.png");
logo_sprite = Sprite(logo_image);
logo_sprite.SetX(screen_width / 2 - logo_image.GetWidth() / 2);
logo_sprite.SetY(screen_height / 2 - logo_image.GetHeight() / 2);

# Progress bar
progress_bar_height = 3;
progress_bar_width = screen_width * 0.3;
progress_bar_x = screen_width / 2 - progress_bar_width / 2;
progress_bar_y = screen_height * 0.6;

progress_bar_bg = Rectangle(progress_bar_width, progress_bar_height);
progress_bar_bg.SetX(progress_bar_x);
progress_bar_bg.SetY(progress_bar_y);
progress_bar_bg.SetColor(0.2, 0.2, 0.2, 0.8);

progress_bar = Rectangle(0, progress_bar_height);
progress_bar.SetX(progress_bar_x);
progress_bar.SetY(progress_bar_y);
progress_bar.SetColor(0.4, 0.8, 1.0, 1.0);

# Message
message_sprite = Sprite();
message_sprite.SetX(screen_width / 2);
message_sprite.SetY(screen_height * 0.7);

fun refresh_callback() {
    progress = Plymouth.GetBootProgress();
    progress_bar.SetWidth(progress_bar_width * progress);
}

Plymouth.SetRefreshFunction(refresh_callback);

# Message callback
fun message_callback(text) {
    message_image = Image.Text(text, 1, 1, 1);
    message_sprite.SetImage(message_image);
    message_sprite.SetX(screen_width / 2 - message_image.GetWidth() / 2);
}

Plymouth.SetMessageFunction(message_callback);

Add the theme assets:

cp branding/plymouth/background.png config/includes.chroot/usr/share/plymouth/themes/nanite/
cp branding/plymouth/logo.png config/includes.chroot/usr/share/plymouth/themes/nanite/

Create a hook to set the Plymouth theme:

Create config/hooks/live/0070-set-plymouth-theme.hook.chroot:

#!/bin/sh
set -e
 
# Set Plymouth theme
echo "Setting Plymouth theme..."
plymouth-set-default-theme nanite
update-initramfs -u
 
# Exit successfully
exit 0

Make it executable:

chmod +x config/hooks/live/0070-set-plymouth-theme.hook.chroot

4.1 Installing LightDM

Add LightDM to your package list:

Create or edit config/package-lists/display-manager.list.chroot:

lightdm
lightdm-gtk-greeter
lightdm-gtk-greeter-settings

4.2 Customizing LightDM

Create directories for LightDM configuration:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/etc/lightdm

Configure LightDM:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf:

[Seat:*]
greeter-session=lightdm-gtk-greeter
user-session=xfce

Configure LightDM GTK Greeter:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/lightdm/lightdm-gtk-greeter.conf:

[greeter]
background=/usr/share/nanite/backgrounds/login-background.png
theme-name=Arc-Dark
icon-theme-name=Papirus-Dark
font-name=Noto Sans 10
xft-antialias=true
xft-dpi=96
xft-hintstyle=hintslight
xft-rgba=rgb
indicators=~host;~spacer;~clock;~spacer;~session;~power
clock-format=%a %d %b, %H:%M
logo=/usr/share/nanite/branding/nanite-logo.png

Add login background:

cp branding/wallpapers/login-background.png config/includes.chroot/usr/share/nanite/backgrounds/

5. GRUB Bootloader Customization

5.1 Installing GRUB Theme

Create directories for GRUB theme:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/boot/grub/themes/nanite

Create the GRUB theme:

Create config/includes.chroot/boot/grub/themes/nanite/theme.txt:

# Nanite GRUB theme

# Global properties
title-text: "Nanite AI Linux"
title-color: "#ffffff"
title-font: "DejaVu Sans Regular 18"
desktop-image: "background.png"
desktop-color: "#000000"
terminal-box: "terminal_box_*.png"
terminal-font: "DejaVu Sans Mono Regular 12"

# Boot menu
+ boot_menu {
    left = 15%
    width = 70%
    top = 30%
    height = 40%
    item_font = "DejaVu Sans Regular 12"
    item_color = "#cccccc"
    selected_item_color = "#ffffff"
    selected_item_font = "DejaVu Sans Bold 12"
    icon_width = 32
    icon_height = 32
    item_height = 36
    item_padding = 5
    item_spacing = 10
    selected_item_pixmap_style = "select_*.png"
}

# Progress bar
+ progress_bar {
    id = "__timeout__"
    left = 15%
    width = 70%
    top = 75%
    height = 16
    show_text = true
    text_color = "#ffffff"
    font = "DejaVu Sans Regular 12"
    bar_style = "progress_bar_*.png"
}

# Logo
+ image {
    left = 50%-128
    top = 10%
    width = 256
    height = 64
    file = "logo.png"
}

Add GRUB theme assets:

cp branding/grub/background.png config/includes.chroot/boot/grub/themes/nanite/
cp branding/grub/logo.png config/includes.chroot/boot/grub/themes/nanite/
cp branding/grub/select_*.png config/includes.chroot/boot/grub/themes/nanite/
cp branding/grub/progress_bar_*.png config/includes.chroot/boot/grub/themes/nanite/
cp branding/grub/terminal_box_*.png config/includes.chroot/boot/grub/themes/nanite/

Configure GRUB to use the theme:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/default/grub.d/nanite-theme.cfg:

# Nanite GRUB theme configuration
GRUB_THEME="/boot/grub/themes/nanite/theme.txt"
GRUB_BACKGROUND="/boot/grub/themes/nanite/background.png"
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR="Nanite"
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"

Create a hook to update GRUB:

Create config/hooks/live/0080-update-grub.hook.chroot:

#!/bin/sh
set -e
 
# Update GRUB
echo "Updating GRUB configuration..."
update-grub
 
# Exit successfully
exit 0

Make it executable:

chmod +x config/hooks/live/0080-update-grub.hook.chroot

6. System-wide Branding Integration

6.1 Browser Homepage and Bookmarks

Create a custom Firefox profile:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/etc/skel/.mozilla/firefox/nanite.default

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/skel/.mozilla/firefox/profiles.ini:

[Profile0]
Name=default
IsRelative=1
Path=nanite.default
Default=1

Create a custom homepage:

mkdir -p config/includes.chroot/usr/share/nanite/homepage

Create config/includes.chroot/usr/share/nanite/homepage/index.html:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Welcome to Nanite AI Linux</title>
    <style>
        body {
            font-family: 'Noto Sans', sans-serif;
            margin: 0;
            padding: 0;
            background-color: #1a1a1a;
            color: #f0f0f0;
        }
        .container {
            max-width: 800px;
            margin: 0 auto;
            padding: 40px 20px;
        }
        .header {
            text-align: center;
            margin-bottom: 40px;
        }
        .logo {
            max-width: 200px;
            margin-bottom: 20px;
        }
        h1 {
            font-size: 36px;
            margin: 0;
            color: #4db6ac;
        }
        h2 {
            font-size: 24px;
            margin: 30px 0 15px;
            color: #4db6ac;
        }
        p {
            line-height: 1.6;
            margin-bottom: 15px;
        }
        .card {
            background-color: #2a2a2a;
            border-radius: 8px;
            padding: 20px;
            margin-bottom: 20px;
            box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
        }
        .links {
            display: grid;
            grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fill, minmax(180px, 1fr));
            gap: 15px;
            margin-top: 30px;
        }
        .link-item {
            background-color: #333;
            padding: 15px;
            border-radius: 6px;
            text-align: center;
            transition: transform 0.2s;
        }
        .link-item:hover {
            transform: translateY(-3px);
            background-color: #444;
        }
        a {
            color: #64ffda;
            text-decoration: none;
        }
        a:hover {
            text-decoration: underline;
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <div class="container">
        <div class="header">
            <img src="/usr/share/nanite/branding/nanite-logo.svg" alt="Nanite Logo" class="logo">
            <h1>Welcome to Nanite AI Linux</h1>
            <p>Your AI-powered computing environment</p>
        </div>
        
        <div class="card">
            <h2>Getting Started</h2>
            <p>Nanite AI Linux integrates various AI models, agents, and applications directly into the operating system, providing immediate access to AI assistance through Large Language Models (LLMs).</p>
            <p>To access the AI assistant, click the Nanite icon in the panel or press <strong>Alt+A</strong>.</p>
        </div>
        
        <div class="card">
            <h2>Quick Links</h2>
            <div class="links">
                <a href="file:///usr/share/doc/nanite/README.md" class="link-item">Documentation</a>
                <a href="https://nanite.ai/community" class="link-item">Community</a>
                <a href="https://nanite.ai/support" class="link-item">Support</a>
                <a href="https://nanite.ai/tutorials" class="link-item">Tutorials</a>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
</body>
</html>

Configure Firefox to use the custom homepage:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/skel/.mozilla/firefox/nanite.default/prefs.js:

// Nanite Firefox preferences
user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "file:///usr/share/nanite/homepage/index.html");
user_pref("browser.startup.homepage_override.mstone", "ignore");
user_pref("browser.startup.page", 1);
user_pref("browser.newtabpage.enabled", false);

6.2 Terminal Customization

Create a custom bashrc:

Create config/includes.chroot/etc/skel/.bashrc.d/nanite-prompt.sh:

# Nanite custom prompt
export PS1="\[\033[38;5;81m\]\u\[\033[38;5;245m\]@\[\033[38;5;81m\]nanite\[\033[38;5;245m\]:\[\033[38;5;39m\]\w\[\033[00m\] $ "
 
# Nanite welcome message
echo -e "\033[1;36m"
echo "  _   _             _ _        _    _   _     _                  "
echo " | \ | | __ _ _ __ (_) |_ ___ | |  (_) | |   (_)_ __  _   ___  __"
echo " |  \| |/ _\` | '_ \| | __/ _ \| |  | | | |   | | '_ \| | | \ \/ /"
echo " | |\  | (_| | | | | | ||  __/| |__| | | |___| | | | | |_| |>  < "
echo " |_| \_|\__,_|_| |_|_|\__\___||_____/_| |_____|_| |_|\__,_/_/\_\\"
echo -e "\033[0m"
echo -e "\033[1;37mWelcome to Nanite AI Linux!\033[0m"
echo -e "\033[0;37mType 'nanite-help' to get started.\033[0m"
echo ""

Create a help script:

Create config/includes.chroot/usr/local/bin/nanite-help:

#!/bin/bash
 
echo -e "\033[1;36mNanite AI Linux - Help\033[0m"
echo -e "\033[1;37m=====================\033[0m"
echo ""
echo -e "\033[1;37mAI Commands:\033[0m"
echo -e "  \033[0;36mnanite-ask\033[0m <question>    - Ask the AI assistant a question"
echo -e "  \033[0;36mnanite-image-gen\033[0m         - Generate images from text descriptions"
echo -e "  \033[0;36mnanite-code-assist\033[0m       - Get AI-powered coding help"
echo -e "  \033[0;36mnanite-rag\033[0m               - Use Retrieval-Augmented Generation"
echo -e "  \033[0;36mnanite-speech\033[0m            - Speech recognition and synthesis"
echo ""
echo -e "\033[1;37mSystem Commands:\033[0m"
echo -e "  \033[0;36mnanite-system-info\033[0m       - Display system information"
echo -e "  \033[0;36mnanite-update\033[0m            - Update the system"
echo -e "  \033[0;36mnanite-settings\033[0m          - Open system settings"
echo ""
echo -e "\033[1;37mDocumentation:\033[0m"
echo -e "  Full documentation is available at \033[0;36mfile:///usr/share/doc/nanite/\033[0m"
echo ""

Make it executable:

chmod +x config/includes.chroot/usr/local/bin/nanite-help

6.3 Custom System Information

Create config/includes.chroot/usr/local/bin/nanite-system-info:

#!/bin/bash
 
# Colors
BLUE='\033[0;34m'
GREEN='\033[0;32m'
CYAN='\033[0;36m'
RED='\033[0;31m'
YELLOW='\033[0;33m'
BOLD='\033[1m'
NC='\033[0m' # No Color
 
# Logo
echo -e "${CYAN}"
echo "  _   _             _ _        _    _   _     _                  "
echo " | \ | | __ _ _ __ (_) |_ ___ | |  (_) | |   (_)_ __  _   ___  __"
echo " |  \| |/ _\` | '_ \| | __/ _ \| |  | | | |   | | '_ \| | | \ \/ /"
echo " | |\  | (_| | | | | | ||  __/| |__| | | |___| | | | | |_| |>  < "
echo " |_| \_|\__,_|_| |_|_|\__\___||_____/_| |_____|_| |_|\__,_/_/\_\\"
echo -e "${NC}"
 
# System info
echo -e "${BOLD}SYSTEM INFORMATION${NC}"
echo -e "${BLUE}Hostname:${NC} $(hostname)"
echo -e "${BLUE}Distribution:${NC} Nanite AI Linux $(cat /etc/nanite-version 2>/dev/null || echo "1.0")"
echo -e "${BLUE}Kernel:${NC} $(uname -r)"
echo -e "${BLUE}Uptime:${NC} $(uptime -p | sed 's/up //')"
echo -e "${BLUE}Shell:${NC} $SHELL"
 
# Hardware info
echo -e "\n${BOLD}HARDWARE INFORMATION${NC}"
echo -e "${GREEN}CPU:${NC} $(grep "model name" /proc/cpuinfo | head -1 | cut -d':' -f2 | sed 's/^[ \t]*//')"
echo -e "${GREEN}Memory:${NC} $(free -h | grep Mem | awk '{print $3 " used of " $2 " total"}')"
echo -e "${GREEN}Disk:${NC} $(df -h / | awk 'NR==2 {print $3 " used of " $2 " total (" $5 " used)"}')"
 
# GPU info
if command -v nvidia-smi &> /dev/null; then
    GPU=$(nvidia-smi --query-gpu=name --format=csv,noheader | head -1)
    echo -e "${GREEN}GPU:${NC} $GPU"
elif command -v lspci &> /dev/null; then
    GPU=$(lspci | grep -i 'vga\|3d\|2d' | head -1 | sed 's/.*: //')
    echo -e "${GREEN}GPU:${NC} $GPU"
fi
 
# AI models
echo -e "\n${BOLD}AI MODELS${NC}"
if command -v ollama &> /dev/null; then
    echo -e "${CYAN}Available models:${NC}"
    ollama list 2>/dev/null | awk '{print "  - " $1 " (" $2 ")"}'
else
    echo -e "${RED}Ollama not found. AI models may not be available.${NC}"
fi
 
# Network info
echo -e "\n${BOLD}NETWORK INFORMATION${NC}"
IP=$(ip -4 addr show scope global | grep inet | awk '{print $2}' | cut -d'/' -f1 | head -1)
if [ -n "$IP" ]; then
    echo -e "${YELLOW}IP Address:${NC} $IP"
else
    echo -e "${YELLOW}IP Address:${NC} Not connected"
fi
 
echo -e "\nFor more information, visit the Nanite documentation."

Make it executable:

chmod +x config/includes.chroot/usr/local/bin/nanite-system-info

6.4 Custom About Dialog

Create config/includes.chroot/usr/share/applications/nanite-about.desktop:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=About Nanite
Comment=Information about Nanite AI Linux
Exec=nanite-about
Icon=nanite
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=System;

Create config/includes.chroot/usr/local/bin/nanite-about:

#!/bin/bash
 
# Use zenity to display about dialog
zenity --info \
  --title="About Nanite AI Linux" \
  --width=400 \
  --height=300 \
  --text="<span size='large'><b>Nanite AI Linux</b></span>\n\nVersion 1.0 (Quantum)\n\nNanite is a specialized Linux distribution for AI engineers and Vibe Coders. It integrates various AI models, agents, and applications directly into the operating system.\n\n<b>Website:</b> https://nanite.ai\n<b>Support:</b> https://nanite.ai/support\n\n© 2025 Nanite Project" \
  --icon-name="nanite"

Make it executable:

chmod +x config/includes.chroot/usr/local/bin/nanite-about

7. Integrating Branding into Live-build

7.1 Creating a Branding Package

Create a directory structure for the package:

mkdir -p config/packages.chroot/nanite-branding/DEBIAN
mkdir -p config/packages.chroot/nanite-branding/usr/share/nanite

Create the control file:

Create config/packages.chroot/nanite-branding/DEBIAN/control:

Package: nanite-branding
Version: 1.0
Section: misc
Priority: optional
Architecture: all
Maintainer: Nanite Team <team@nanite.ai>
Description: Nanite branding package
 This package contains branding elements for Nanite AI Linux.

Create a postinst script:

Create config/packages.chroot/nanite-branding/DEBIAN/postinst:

#!/bin/sh
set -e
 
# Update icon cache
if [ -x /usr/bin/gtk-update-icon-cache ]; then
    gtk-update-icon-cache -f -t /usr/share/icons/hicolor
fi
 
# Update desktop database
if [ -x /usr/bin/update-desktop-database ]; then
    update-desktop-database
fi
 
# Create version file
echo "1.0" > /etc/nanite-version
 
# Exit successfully
exit 0

Make it executable:

chmod +x config/packages.chroot/nanite-branding/DEBIAN/postinst

Build the package with a hook:

Create config/hooks/live/0010-build-branding-package.hook.chroot:

#!/bin/sh
set -e
 
# Build the branding package
echo "Building nanite-branding package..."
cd /config/packages.chroot
dpkg-deb --build nanite-branding
apt-get install -y ./nanite-branding.deb
 
# Exit successfully
exit 0

Make it executable:

chmod +x config/hooks/live/0010-build-branding-package.hook.chroot

7.2 Applying Branding to ISO

Create a hook to customize the ISO boot menu:

Create config/hooks/live/0090-customize-isolinux.hook.binary:

#!/bin/sh
set -e
 
# Customize isolinux boot menu
echo "Customizing isolinux boot menu..."
 
# Set menu title
sed -i 's/Debian GNU\/Linux/Nanite AI Linux/g' binary/isolinux/menu.cfg
sed -i 's/Debian GNU\/Linux/Nanite AI Linux/g' binary/isolinux/stdmenu.cfg
 
# Set boot parameters
sed -i 's/boot=live components/boot=live components quiet splash/g' binary/isolinux/menu.cfg
 
# Copy splash image if it exists
if [ -f /usr/share/nanite/branding/isolinux-splash.png ]; then
    cp /usr/share/nanite/branding/isolinux-splash.png binary/isolinux/splash.png
fi
 
# Exit successfully
exit 0

Make it executable:

chmod +x config/hooks/live/0090-customize-isolinux.hook.binary

Configure ISO metadata:

lb config --iso-volume "Nanite AI Linux" \
          --iso-application "Nanite AI Linux" \
          --iso-publisher "Nanite Project" \
          --iso-preparer "Nanite Build System"

8. Complete Build Command

After setting up all the customization and branding elements, build the ISO with:

# Clean any previous build artifacts
sudo lb clean
 
# Build the ISO
sudo lb build

This comprehensive guide provides detailed, actionable workflows for customizing and branding a Debian-based Linux distribution using Live-build. By following these steps, you can create a fully branded and customized distribution that reflects your organization’s identity and meets your specific requirements.

Notes

Explorer

live_build_branding_workflows

Live-build Branding and Customization Workflows

Directory Structure for Branding

1. System Branding Elements

1.1 Distribution Name and Version

1.2 Logo and Branding Assets

2. Desktop Environment Customization (XFCE)

2.1 XFCE Theme and Appearance

2.2 Custom Wallpapers

2.3 Custom Application Menu

3. Boot Splash Customization (Plymouth)

3.1 Installing Plymouth

3.2 Creating a Custom Plymouth Theme

4.1 Installing LightDM

4.2 Customizing LightDM

5. GRUB Bootloader Customization

5.1 Installing GRUB Theme

6. System-wide Branding Integration

6.1 Browser Homepage and Bookmarks

6.2 Terminal Customization

6.3 Custom System Information

6.4 Custom About Dialog

7. Integrating Branding into Live-build

7.1 Creating a Branding Package

7.2 Applying Branding to ISO

8. Complete Build Command

Graph View

Table of Contents

Notes

Explorer

live_build_branding_workflows

Live-build Branding and Customization Workflows

Directory Structure for Branding

1. System Branding Elements

1.1 Distribution Name and Version

1.2 Logo and Branding Assets

2. Desktop Environment Customization (XFCE)

2.1 XFCE Theme and Appearance

2.2 Custom Wallpapers

2.3 Custom Application Menu

3. Boot Splash Customization (Plymouth)

3.1 Installing Plymouth

3.2 Creating a Custom Plymouth Theme

4. Login Screen Customization (LightDM)

4.1 Installing LightDM

4.2 Customizing LightDM

5. GRUB Bootloader Customization

5.1 Installing GRUB Theme

6. System-wide Branding Integration

6.1 Browser Homepage and Bookmarks

6.2 Terminal Customization

6.3 Custom System Information

6.4 Custom About Dialog

7. Integrating Branding into Live-build

7.1 Creating a Branding Package

7.2 Applying Branding to ISO

8. Complete Build Command

Graph View

Table of Contents