Making the tiniest (modern) Linux build!

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Making the tiniest (modern) Linux build! - rod - 02-09-2025

Me and my friend managed to fit the Linux kernel until under <800 kilobytes, along with a Ramdisk that is under than <750 kilobytes. Here is a little guide on how to make a minuscule, and (somewhat) usable Linux distro. (using the help of https://blinry.org/tiny-linux/)

Download the Linux source code. Run

Code:
git clone --depth=1 --branch=v6.12 git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git

, then `cd` into the Linux directory. Now, run `make tinyconfig`. (When you run `make` to compile it, the kernel will be made at ./arch/x86/boot/BzImage)

WARNING: Running `make` at this point will make an unusable Linux install. To fix this, the following things need to be enabled: `make menuconfig`, and go to `General setup > Configure standard kernel features ` and enable it. then, Enter it and enable `Enable support for printk`. And, go to `Device Drivers > Character devices`, then `Enable TTY`. You only need `Virtual terminal`, and `Support for console on virtual terminal` for it to be usable, and enable `Executable file formats > Kernel support for ELF binaries`, and lastly, `General setup > Initial RAM filesystem and RAM disk (initramfs/initrd) support`

Let's make the Ramdisk! Make a new blank directory (preferably something like `root` or `ramdisk` and `cd` into it. Now, make the following directories: `mkdir bin sbin etc home lib root proc run usr var`.

You can use any language of your choice, but I like C, so lets use C! Make a new directory (not in the ramdisk directory!) and make it something like `init`. `cd` into that, and make a new file, preferably called `init.c`. Use `nano`, `vi`, or any text editor you like to make a simple Hello World Init program.

Code:
#include <stdio.h>

int main() {

   printf("Hello, World!\n");

   return 0;

}

Compile the code with `gcc init.c -o init -m32 -static`, and copy it to `ramdisk/`, it can be in the root of `ramdisk`, but if you prefer, `etc`, `bin`, or `sbin`. And, `cd` into the ramdisk or root directory. Run:

Code:
find . -print0 | cpio --null --create --verbose --format=newc | gzip --best > ../initrd

Now, install QEMU using `sudo apt install qemu-system`. Now, `cd ..` out of the root/ramdisk folder, and run `qemu-system-x86_64 -kernel (where you have BzImage) -initrd ./initrd

If you see the system boot up with a "Hello, World!" Then Congratulations! We managed to compile BusyBox statically and put it's bare essentials in /bin/.

Good luck! Big Grin