quickemu

Create and run optimized QEMU virtual machines

TLDR

Run VM from config file

$ quickemu --vm [file.conf]

Run without committing changes

$ quickemu --status-quo --vm [file.conf]

Run in fullscreen with display backend

$ quickemu --fullscreen --display [sdl] --vm [file.conf]

Create/restore/delete snapshot

$ quickemu --snapshot [create|apply|delete] [tag] --vm [file.conf]

List snapshots

$ quickemu --snapshot info --vm [file.conf]

Delete VM

$ quickemu --delete-vm --vm [file.conf]

SYNOPSIS

quickemu [--vm config] [--display backend] [--snapshot action] [options]

quickemu creates and manages optimized QEMU virtual machines with minimal configuration. It automatically configures display, audio, USB passthrough, and shared folders based on the guest OS.
VMs are defined in simple configuration files that specify the OS type and disk image. The tool handles the complex QEMU command-line options internally.

PARAMETERS

--vm _config_

VM configuration file

--status-quo

Don't commit changes to disk

--fullscreen

Start in fullscreen mode

--display _backend_

Display: sdl, gtk, spice, spice-app, none

--sound-card _card_

Audio: intel-hda, ac97, es1370, sb16, none

--snapshot _action_ _tag_

Snapshot operations: create, apply, delete, info

--delete-vm

Delete VM and configuration

--delete-disk

Delete disk image and EFI vars

--shortcut

Create desktop shortcut

CAVEATS

Requires QEMU and related packages. Some features need KVM support. Guest additions may be needed for optimal integration. macOS guests have specific requirements.

HISTORY

quickemu was created by Martin Wimpress to simplify QEMU VM management. It grew from scripts used to test Linux distributions and evolved into a comprehensive VM tool.