How do you build a Linux distro?

Answer 1

Creating a Linux distro is a fairly involved task, which is why it is usually done by teams and not individuals. Assuming you were to create your own from scratch, you would need to compile a Linux kernel and related programs, and write your own init scripts. Try compiling just the Linux kernel, and you'll see why few people bother to build the entire thing themselves. It would be far too difficult to remain current with most software packages.

If you want to distribute it to other people, you'll also need to figure out things like warranty, support, and update management.

LFS (Linux from Scratch) is an excellent guide on building a very basic Linux distro yourself, and learning what is involved in the process.

For a simpler process that does not require too much time or programming knowledge, look into creating a distro based on an existing one. Many distros offer automated or semi-automated tools to help you do so.