virt-install

Create and install libvirt virtual machines

TLDR

Create a VM with 1GB RAM, 12GB storage, and start Debian installation

$ virt-install -n [vm_name] --memory [1024] --vcpus [2] --disk path=[path/to/image.qcow2],size=[12] --cdrom [path/to/debian.iso] --osinfo [debian12]

Create a UEFI-based VM with Q35 chipset and 4GB RAM

$ virt-install -n [vm_name] --arch x86_64 --virt-type kvm --machine q35 --boot uefi --memory [4096] --vcpus [4] --disk path=[path/to/image.raw],size=[16] --cdrom [path/to/fedora.iso] --osinfo [fedora40]

Import an existing disk image as a VM (no installation)

$ virt-install -n [vm_name] --memory [2048] --vcpus [2] --disk path=[path/to/image.qcow2] --import --osinfo [detect=on]

Create a VM with specific CPU topology and host-model CPU

$ virt-install -n [vm_name] --cpu host-model,topology.sockets=1,topology.cores=4,topology.threads=2 --memory [16384] --disk path=[path/to/image.qcow2],size=[250] --cdrom [path/to/os.iso]

Perform an automated kickstart installation from a remote tree

$ virt-install -n [vm_name] --memory [2048] --disk path=[path/to/image.qcow2],size=[20] --location [https://download.fedoraproject.org/...] --extra-args "inst.ks=[https://path/to/kickstart]"

Boot a VM via PXE with a bridged network

$ virt-install -n [vm_name] --memory [2048] --disk path=[path/to/image.qcow2],size=[20] --network bridge=[br0] --pxe --osinfo [linux2022]

SYNOPSIS

virt-install [options]

DESCRIPTION

virt-install creates new virtual machines using libvirt. It provisions VM configuration, storage, and initiates OS installation from various sources including ISO images, network locations, or PXE boot.The tool supports advanced configurations including UEFI boot, CPU pinning, NUMA topology, and various device passthrough options. It integrates with QEMU/KVM, Xen, and other libvirt-supported hypervisors.

PARAMETERS

-n, --name NAME

Unique name for the new virtual machine.

--memory SIZE

Guest memory in MiB (or use suboptions like memory=2048,currentMemory=1024).

--vcpus N

Number of virtual CPUs; supports suboptions for sockets/cores/threads and hotplug limits.

--cpu MODEL

CPU model and features (e.g. host-model, host-passthrough, topology.sockets=...).

--disk SPEC

Storage specification (path=, size=, format=, bus=, cache=...). Use `--disk none` for diskless VMs.

-c, --cdrom PATH

ISO file or CDROM device used as installation media.

-l, --location URL|PATH

Installation tree location (HTTP/FTP/NFS URL or local directory) for network installs.

--pxe

Boot from the network (PXE) for installation.

--import

Skip OS installation and build the guest around an existing disk image.

--boot OPTIONS

Post-install boot configuration (uefi, bios, boot order, loader paths).

--osinfo ID

Optimize the guest for a specific OS (libosinfo short-id, e.g. fedora40, debian12, win11). Replaces legacy --os-variant.

--network SPEC

Network interface (e.g. bridge=br0, network=default, type=direct). May be repeated.

--graphics TYPE

Graphical display: vnc, spice, or none.

--virt-type TYPE

Hypervisor type (kvm, qemu, xen).

--machine TYPE

Machine type (q35, pc, etc.).

-x, --extra-args ARGS

Extra kernel command-line arguments passed to --location installs.

--unattended

Perform an automated installation using libosinfo install scripts.

--autoconsole TYPE

Console auto-connect behavior (graphical, text, none). Replaces --noautoconsole.

--noreboot

Do not reboot the guest automatically after the installer completes.

--wait MINUTES

How long to wait for installation to complete (-1 = wait forever, 0 = don't wait).

--dry-run

Validate options and show the generated XML without creating the VM.

CAVEATS

Requires libvirt daemon running and appropriate virtualization backend. KVM requires hardware virtualization support. UEFI boot requires OVMF firmware package. Network installations require connectivity to installation sources.