systemctl-switch-root

Switch to new root filesystem

$ systemctl switch-root [/path/to/new_root]

$ systemctl switch-root [/path/to/new_root] [/sbin/init]

$ systemctl switch-root [/path/to/new_root] -v

systemctl switch-root ROOT [INIT]

systemctl switch-root transitions the system from an initramfs to the real root filesystem and executes a new system manager. This is the final step of the boot process after the initramfs has set up the real root.
This command is typically used internally by the initramfs to complete the boot process, not called manually.

-v, --verbose

Enable verbose output

Path to the new root filesystem

Init binary to execute (default: systemd)

Intended for initramfs use during boot. Incorrect use can render the system unbootable. The new root must contain a valid init system. All processes from the old root are terminated.

The switch-root subcommand formalizes the initramfs-to-real-root transition in systemd, replacing the traditional pivot_root operations.

systemctl(1), systemd(1), pivot_root(2)