How to Build Your Own AILinuX Distro Flavour

This guide shows how to start from a clean Ubuntu 24.04 “Noble” Server installation and turn it into your own AILinuX-based system using the official AILinuX repository and branding service.

Prerequisites

  • A 64-bit machine supported by Ubuntu 24.04 Server.
  • A USB drive (≥ 4 GB) to use as installation media.
  • Basic familiarity with the Linux shell.
  • An internet connection on the target machine (for the AILinuX repo and packages).

1. Download Ubuntu Noble Server ISO

First, download the Ubuntu 24.04.x LTS (Noble) Server ISO image from the official Ubuntu website:

https://mirror.de.leaseweb.net/ubuntu-releases/24.04.3/ubuntu-24.04.3-desktop-amd64.iso

Save the ISO on a Linux machine from which you can write to a USB drive. In this example we will assume the file name:

ubuntu-server-24.04.3.iso

2. Write the ISO to a USB Drive

You can use tools like Ventoy, Rufus (on Windows), or the classic dd method on Linux. Below is a minimal example using dd on Linux.

  1. Insert your USB drive.
  2. Identify the device name, e.g. /dev/sdX (check with lsblk).
  3. Double-check you have the correct device, as this will erase it completely.

Then run:

sudo dd if=./ubuntu-server-24.04.3.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync

Replace /dev/sdX with the actual device path of your USB drive (for example /dev/sdb). Do not use a partition like /dev/sdb1.

3. Install Ubuntu Server

  1. Boot the target machine from the created USB installation media.
  2. Follow the Ubuntu Server installer steps (locale, keyboard, storage, user, etc.).
  3. Complete the installation and reboot into the fresh Ubuntu Server system.

After reboot, log in to your new Ubuntu Server (either locally or via SSH).

4. Add the AILinuX Repository and Branding Service

Once you are logged into the newly installed Ubuntu Server, run the following command to add the official AILinuX repository mirror and install the AILinuX branding service:

curl -fsSL "https://repo.ailinux.me/mirror/add-ailinux-repo.sh" | sudo bash

This script will:

  • Add the AILinuX Ubuntu repository mirror to your system.
  • Install and configure the ailinux-branding.service unit.

5. Install Your Preferred Desktop Environment

From here, you can choose which desktop environment you want to run on top of your AILinuX-enabled Ubuntu Server. All standard Ubuntu desktop environments available in the AILinuX mirror can be installed via apt.

If you want the latest KDE neon desktop experience, execute:

sudo apt update \
  && sudo apt full-upgrade -y \
  && sudo apt install --install-recommends neon-desktop plasma-desktop -y

You can install additional software at any time using:

sudo apt install <package-name>

For other desktop environments (GNOME, Xfce, etc.), install the corresponding meta packages provided via the AILinuX Ubuntu repository mirror.

6. Disable systemd-networkd-wait-online

To avoid unnecessary boot delays in some setups, it is recommended to disable the systemd-networkd-wait-online.service:

sudo systemctl disable systemd-networkd-wait-online.service \
  && sudo systemctl mask systemd-networkd-wait-online.service

7. Reboot into Your AILinuX System

Finally, reboot your machine to start into your customized AILinuX-flavoured system:

sudo reboot

After the reboot, you should be greeted by your chosen desktop environment, powered by the AILinuX repository and branding.

Have fun with your early AILinuX build!