Creating Custom Services

Guide to creating new service modules.

Service Structure

images/debian/services/myservice/
├── setup.sh              # Package installation (runs in QEMU)
├── first-boot/init.sh    # Runtime config (runs on first boot)
├── setupfiles/           # Static files → /etc/setupfiles/
├── depends.sh            # Optional: dependencies
└── motd.sh               # Optional: MOTD banner

Quick Template

# Create service
mkdir -p images/debian/services/myservice/first-boot

# Package installation
cat > images/debian/services/myservice/setup.sh <<'EOF'
#!/bin/bash
set -e
apt update
apt install -y nginx
systemctl enable nginx
EOF
chmod +x images/debian/services/myservice/setup.sh

# Runtime configuration
cat > images/debian/services/myservice/first-boot/init.sh <<'EOF'
#!/bin/bash
set -e
systemctl start nginx
EOF
chmod +x images/debian/services/myservice/first-boot/init.sh

# Build
./bin/autobuild --image debian/myservice

Script Guidelines

setup.sh (runs in QEMU):

• Install packages
• Configure system
• Enable services (don't start them)

first-boot/init.sh (runs on Raspberry Pi):

• Detect hardware
• Download large files
• Create containers/VMs
• Start services

Dependencies

Create depends.sh:

DEPENDS_ON="qemu"  # This service requires qemu

Advanced Topics

For detailed information see Services Guide:

• Service lifecycle
• Hardware detection
• Best practices
• Debugging