genkernel

Automatically compile and install a generic kernel

$ sudo genkernel all

$ sudo genkernel [bzImage|initramfs|kernel|ramdisk]

$ sudo genkernel --menuconfig all

$ sudo genkernel --kernname=[custom_name] all

$ sudo genkernel --kerneldir=[path/to/directory] all

genkernel [options] action

genkernel is a Gentoo Linux utility that automates the kernel compilation and installation process. It builds a generic kernel with broad hardware support, similar to kernels found in binary distributions.
The tool handles configuring, compiling, and installing the kernel along with generating an initramfs (initial ramdisk) required for booting. It can automatically detect hardware and enable appropriate kernel modules.
genkernel reads configuration from /etc/genkernel.conf and supports various filesystem, encryption, and boot features through command-line options.

all

Build kernel, modules, and initramfs

Build only the compressed kernel image

Build only the initial ramdisk

Build only the kernel and modules

Build only the ramdisk

Run menuconfig before compilation

Tag the kernel and initramfs with NAME

Use kernel source from DIR instead of /usr/src/linux

Pass options to make (e.g., -j4)

Don't run make clean before compilation

Add LVM support to initramfs

Add LUKS encryption support to initramfs

/etc/genkernel.conf

Main configuration file controlling default build options, paths, and features.

Generic kernels are larger and may boot slower than custom-configured kernels. Compilation requires significant time and disk space. The /usr/src/linux symlink must point to the correct kernel source.

genkernel was developed for Gentoo Linux to provide an alternative to manual kernel configuration. While Gentoo traditionally emphasizes custom compilation, genkernel enables users to quickly generate working kernels without deep kernel configuration knowledge.

make(1), dracut(8), mkinitcpio(8)