Linux chroot Guide

Linux chroot Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to chroot on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including changing root directory, system recovery, and isolated environments.

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Table of Contents

1. Understanding chroot
2. chroot Basics
3. System Recovery
4. Isolated Environments
5. Troubleshooting

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Understanding chroot

What is chroot?

chroot changes root directory.

Uses:

• System recovery: Repair broken systems
• Isolation: Create isolated environments
• Testing: Test in different environments
• Security: Isolate processes

Warning: Requires root access and proper setup.

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chroot Basics

Change Root

Basic usage:

# Change root directory
sudo chroot /path/to/newroot /bin/bash

# Changes root to new directory
# Runs /bin/bash in new root

Setup Required

Before chroot:

# Mount required filesystems
sudo mount --bind /dev /path/to/newroot/dev
sudo mount --bind /proc /path/to/newroot/proc
sudo mount --bind /sys /path/to/newroot/sys

# Then chroot
sudo chroot /path/to/newroot

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System Recovery

Recovery chroot

Repair system:

# Boot from live USB
# Mount root partition
sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt

# Mount required filesystems
sudo mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
sudo mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
sudo mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys

# chroot into system
sudo chroot /mnt

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Isolated Environments

Create Environment

Isolated root:

# Create chroot environment
sudo mkdir -p /chroot/ubuntu
# Copy system files
# Then chroot
sudo chroot /chroot/ubuntu /bin/bash

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Troubleshooting

chroot Not Found

Check installation:

# chroot is part of coreutils
# Usually pre-installed

# Check chroot
which chroot

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Summary

This guide covered chroot usage, system recovery, and isolated environments for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions.

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Next Steps

• System Recovery - Recovery guide
• mount Guide - Mounting filesystems
• Virtualization - Virtual environments
• chroot Documentation: man chroot

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This guide covers Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other Linux distributions. For distribution-specific details, refer to your distribution's documentation.