How it works
Two computers. One package bundle.
You need a Debian or Ubuntu machine to install software on, a computer with internet to download it, and a way to copy files between them.
Choose a baseline OS or use a snapshot
On the online computer, select Debian or Ubuntu, its release, variant, and architecture. No snapshot is required. For a customized machine, capture its installed packages and apt settings in a snapshot instead.
Download the packages on the online computer
Choose packages in the desktop app, use the interactive CLI, or pass a package list.Debark uses your chosen target to download the packages and missing dependencies.
Copy the bundle to a USB drive
The bundle is a folder containing the packages, their version list, and files used to verify them. Copy the whole folder to the offline machine.
Check and install
The CLI checks the bundle before installing its packages with apt. You can preview the changes first. Installation needs administrator access.
Which starting point should I use?
A baseline OS describes a stock installation, such as Ubuntu 24.04 minimal on amd64. Use it to prepare packages without accessing the target first. It assumes which packages are already installed.
A snapshot records the actual machine. Use one when installed packages, repositories, or settings differ from a stock system. Preview the bundle on the target before installing, especially when using a baseline.
For signed bundles, copy the public key to the offline machine through a trusted route, separate from the bundle. The quickstart explains the setup.
Let the CLI ask for the details
Run debark build --interactive on your online computer. Choose a snapshot or baseline OS, enter packages, and review the options before the build starts.
The CLI saves your entered package list and prints a command you can reuse.Follow the interactive CLI guide →
Try it with one package
Follow the commands to build and install your first bundle.