Last updated: 2026-02-23

genpack-overlay Profile Reference

Overview

genpack-overlay profiles define the base environment for genpack images. When you specify a profile like profile: "paravirt" in genpack.json5, the packages, USE flags, and keyword settings associated with that profile are automatically applied.

Profiles are structured using Gentoo's Portage profile mechanism and have hierarchical inheritance relationships.

Profile Hierarchy

All profiles inherit from the genpack root profile and are further organized through architecture-specific layers.

When actually selecting a profile, the architecture layer is automatically inserted:

genpack.json5: profile: "paravirt"
  → genpack/amd64/paravirt  (for x86_64)
  → genpack/arm64/paravirt  (for aarch64)

Available Profiles

paravirt

Purpose: For QEMU/KVM virtual machines

Mutually exclusive with systemimg. Includes packages optimized for virtualization (guest agents, virtio support) and excludes physical hardware drivers.

Added Packages (genpack/paravirt metapackage):

USE Flags:

media-libs/mesa video_cards_zink video_cards_lavapipe

Virtual machines use software rendering (lavapipe) and Zink (OpenGL on Vulkan).

systemimg

Purpose: For disk image-based installation (format written by genpack-install)

Mutually exclusive with paravirt. Includes packages necessary for disk writing and bootloader installation by genpack-install.

Added Packages (genpack/systemimg metapackage):

USE Flags:

sys-libs/zlib minizip

baremetal (systemimg/baremetal)

Purpose: For physical machines (inherits from systemimg)

Specified with profile: "baremetal". Adds tools necessary for physical hardware detection and management.

Added Packages (enabled by the baremetal USE flag in genpack/systemimg):

x86_64 specific:

gnome/baremetal

Purpose: Physical machine + GNOME desktop

Specified with profile: "gnome/baremetal". Includes the GNOME desktop environment in addition to all baremetal packages.

Added Packages (genpack/gnome metapackage):

Inherited From: Includes the gentoo:targets/desktop/gnome profile, so comprehensive USE flags required for GNOME are automatically configured.

weston/paravirt

Purpose: Virtual machine + Wayland (Weston) desktop

Specified with profile: "weston/paravirt". Provides a lightweight desktop environment based on the Weston compositor.

Added Packages (genpack/weston metapackage):

Global USE Flags:

USE="wayland -X"

Disables X11 and prioritizes Wayland.

Package-specific USE Flags (74 items, major ones):

sys-apps/systemd policykit
media-libs/mesa X vulkan vaapi
app-i18n/mozc fcitx5
dev-qt/qtbase opengl vulkan

USE flags are configured for numerous applications including Chrome, VS Code, Ghostty, GIMP, Evolution, LibreOffice, and VLC.

Virtual Machine Video Driver:

VIDEO_CARDS="-intel -nouveau -radeon -radeonsi virgl"

raspberrypi

Purpose: For Raspberry Pi (arm64 only)

Specified with profile: "raspberrypi" (exclusive to arm64 architecture). Inherits from baremetal and adds Raspberry Pi-specific kernel and firmware.

Added Packages:

Root Profile (genpack)

Common configuration inherited by all profiles.

Packages:

Global USE Flags:

sys-libs/glibc audit
sys-kernel/installkernel dracut
sys-fs/squashfs-tools lz4 lzma lzo xattr zstd
app-crypt/libb2 -openmp
dev-lang/perl minimal
app-editors/vim minimal

Package Masks:

>=dev-lang/python-3.14

Base System (genpack/base)

Base packages included across all profiles.

Always Included Packages:

Packages Controlled by USE Flags (all enabled by default):

Other Metapackages

Metapackages that can be independently added to the packages section in genpack.json5, separate from profiles.

genpack/wireless

Wireless network support:

genpack/devel

Development tools:

genpack/devlauncher

Development environment for AI agents (includes genpack/devel):

Profile Selection Guide

Architecture-Specific Differences