Raspberry Pi Auto Config

Zero-config Pi Imager setup. Auto-detects WiFi, fetches passwords from keychain, injects SSH keys.

⚡ 30-Second Setup

./gen server          # 1. Generate + auto-serve (URL in clipboard!)
# 2. Pi Imager → Choose OS → Cmd+Shift+X → Use custom URL → Paste (Cmd+V)
# 3. Flash!

🚀 Quick Start

./gen              # Server config (headless)
./gen desktop      # Desktop config (GUI)

That's it! The script automatically:

• ✅ Detects your WiFi network
• ✅ Fetches WiFi password from macOS Keychain (one prompt per session)
• ✅ Finds your SSH key from ~/.ssh/
• ✅ Generates optimized config
• ✅ Starts HTTP server
• ✅ Copies URL to clipboard

📋 Config Types

🖥️ Server (Headless)

./gen server
./gen server pi5backup  # Custom hostname

Recommended OS: Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit) - No desktop

Optimizations:

• Bluetooth disabled
• Audio disabled
• GPU memory: 16MB (minimal)
• Splash screen disabled
• Fast boot (0s delay)
• SSH-only access

Use for: Web servers, Docker hosts, headless automation

🖥️ Desktop (GUI)

./gen desktop
./gen desktop pi5dev  # Custom hostname

Recommended OS: Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) - Full desktop

Optimizations:

• GPU memory: 256MB
• HDMI hotplug enabled
• Overscan disabled
• Full desktop environment

Use for: Development workstation, media center, GUI apps

🔧 Manual Override

Environment Variables

PI_PASSWORD=mypass ./gen server
PI_PASSWORD=x SSID=MyWifi WIFI_PASS=secret ./gen

Secrets File (Optional)

Create secrets.env:

PI_PASSWORD=byledozimy

The script will auto-load it if present.

📥 Load in Pi Imager

Automatic (Recommended)

1. Run: ./gen server (or ./gen desktop)
   • HTTP server starts automatically
   • URL copied to clipboard
2. Open Raspberry Pi Imager
3. Choose OS:
   • Server: Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit)
   • Desktop: Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) with desktop
4. Choose Storage: Your SD card
5. Press Cmd+Shift+X (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux)
6. Select "Use custom URL"
7. Paste (Cmd+V) - URL already in clipboard!
8. Click "Yes" to apply settings
9. Flash!

Manual (Load from File)

If you prefer not to use the HTTP server:

1. Run: ./gen server then Ctrl+C to stop server
2. Open Raspberry Pi Imager
3. Choose appropriate OS
4. Choose Storage
5. Press Cmd+Shift+X → "Load from file" → /tmp/pi-config-server.json
6. Flash!

🔐 Security

• SSH key never committed
• WiFi password from keychain (macOS prompts once per session)
• Optional secrets.env is gitignored
• Password auth disabled (SSH key only)

📁 Files

• config-server.json - Server template
• config-desktop.json - Desktop template
• gen - Magic generator script
• secrets.env - Optional password storage (gitignored)

⚙️ Default Settings

• Hostname: pi5main (customizable)
• Username: rege
• SSH: Enabled (public key only)
• WiFi: Auto-detected
• Timezone: Europe/Warsaw
• Keyboard: us

🛠️ Requirements

• macOS (for WiFi/keychain auto-detection)
• SSH key in ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub or ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
• Python 3 (for HTTP server - built into macOS)

Linux users: Script will prompt for WiFi password.

💡 Tips

Change defaults: Edit config-server.json or config-desktop.json

Multiple Pis: Run script multiple times with different hostnames

./gen server pi5web
./gen server pi5db
./gen desktop pi5dev

Each generates a separate config file.

Multiple configs: Each ./gen command restarts the server with the new config URL in clipboard.

🎯 OS Selection Guide

Config Type	Recommended OS	Use Case
Server	Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit)	Web servers, Docker, headless automation
Desktop	Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit)	Development, GUI apps, media center
Server	Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS	Advanced server setups, Kubernetes
Desktop	Raspberry Pi OS Full (64-bit)	Maximum software, LibreOffice, games

💡 Tip: Always choose 64-bit OS for Pi 4/5 for better performance.

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⏭️ What's Next?

After Pi boots, install infrastructure:

ssh rege@pi5main.local
git clone https://github.com/rockcodelabs/infrastructure.git
cd infrastructure
./scripts/setup-pi.sh

See: https://github.com/rockcodelabs/infrastructure