virt-sysprep
Prepare VM images for cloning
TLDR
List available operations
$ virt-sysprep --list-operations
Remove sensitive data$ sudo virt-sysprep -a [path/to/image.qcow2]
Dry run by domain name$ sudo virt-sysprep -d [vm_name] -n
Run specific operations$ sudo virt-sysprep -d [vm_name] --operations [operation1,operation2]
Set hostname and machine-id$ sudo virt-sysprep -d [vm_name] --enable customizations --hostname [host_name] --operation machine-id
SYNOPSIS
virt-sysprep [OPTIONS]
DESCRIPTION
virt-sysprep resets, unconfigures, or customizes a virtual machine image for cloning or deployment. It removes machine-specific data like SSH keys, logs, and persistent device names.This prepares VM images for use as templates by removing identity information that should be unique per machine.
PARAMETERS
-a, --add IMAGE
Add disk image-d, --domain VM
Specify VM by name-n, --dry-run
Show what would be done without making changes--operations OPS
Run only specified operations--list-operations
List all supported operations--hostname NAME
Set hostname--enable FEATURE
Enable specific feature
INSTALL
sudo apt install guestfs-tools
sudo dnf install guestfs-tools
sudo pacman -S guestfs-tools
sudo zypper install guestfs-tools
nix profile install nixpkgs#guestfs-tools
CAVEATS
VM must be shut down. Root privileges typically required. Some operations may break the VM if used incorrectly. Always backup images before processing.
SEE ALSO
virt-clone(1), virt-customize(1)
