# Installation

If your distribution does not provide packages, you should install `diskimage-builder` via `pip`, mostly likely in a `virtualenv` to keep it separate. For details, see the installation section in the Developer Installation.

Once installed, you will be able to build images using `disk-image-create` and the elements included in the main `diskimage-builder` repository.

## Requirements

Most image formats require the `qemu-img` tool which is provided by the `qemu-utils` package on Ubuntu/Debian or the `qemu` package on Fedora/RHEL/opensuse/Gentoo.

When generating images with partitions, the `kpartx` tool is needed, which is provided by the `kpartx` package.

Some image formats, such as `VHD`, may require additional tools. Please see the `disk-image-create` help output for more information.

Individual elements can also have additional dependencies for the build host. It is recommended you check the documentation for each element you are using to determine if there are any additional dependencies. Of particular note is the need for the dev-python/pyyaml package on Gentoo hosts.

## Package Installation

On Gentoo you can emerge diskimage-builder directly.

    emerge app-emulation/diskimage-builder

this page last updated: 2022-01-12 16:32:54

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