miasma-installer/TESTING.md

Miasma OS Installer - Testing Guide

Testing in a Minimal Arch VM

Setup Test Environment

1. Create Arch VM with minimal install:

   • Boot Arch ISO
   • Choose "Install Arch Linux"
   • When prompted for profile, select "minimal" (no desktop)
   • Complete basic installation
   • Reboot into minimal Arch system

2. Prepare for testing:

   # Login as root
   # Ensure network is working
   ping -c 3 archlinux.org
   
   # Install git and go (for building)
   pacman -Sy git go base-devel
   
   # Clone the installer
   git clone https://git.miasma-os.com/miasma/miasma-installer.git
   cd miasma-installer
   
   # Build the installer
   make build
   

3. Run the installer:

   # Must be run as root
   sudo ./build/miasma-installer
   

What Should Happen

1. During Installation:

   • Installer detects available disks
   • Partitions selected disk (GPT with EFI + root)
   • Formats with btrfs (with subvolumes)
   • Optional LUKS2 encryption
   • Installs base system + linux-hardened
   • Installs Cosmic Desktop packages
   • Configures bootloader (systemd-boot)
   • Sets up user account with sudo

2. After Installation:

   • Installer exits cleanly
   • Unmount filesystems: umount -R /mnt
   • Reboot: reboot
   • System boots into Cosmic Desktop login
   • Login with created user credentials

For archiso Integration

The installer will be included as a custom package in the archiso build:

• ISO boots directly to root shell
• Installer auto-starts or user runs miasma-installer
• After installation completes, user reboots
• System boots into installed Miasma OS with Cosmic Desktop

Troubleshooting

If installation fails:

• Check /mnt is empty before starting
• Ensure UEFI mode: ls /sys/firmware/efi
• Check disk permissions: lsblk
• View detailed errors in the TUI
• Manually unmount if needed: umount -R /mnt