🧱 uStandard — Custom Ubuntu-Based Live ISO Builder

uStandard is a script for creating a customizable Live ISO based on Ubuntu. It provides a minimal yet fully usable system with drivers, X11, Wi-Fi, multimedia, auto-login, and the ability to install any desktop environment (GNOME, KDE, XFCE, etc.).

This project builds upon the foundation of uMini, offering a more complete and installation-ready system with all essential components included.

🚀 Features

  • 📏 Build a fully functional Live ISO from Ubuntu base

  • ⚙️ Uses debootstrap to create a minimal root filesystem

  • 🤊 SquashFS (XZ compressed) and hybrid ISO with GRUB (BIOS + UEFI support)

  • 🛁 Includes drivers and support for:

    • Ethernet & Wi-Fi (via systemd-networkd and iwd)

    • Audio (ALSA + PulseAudio)

    • Graphics (Intel, AMD, Radeon) with X11/Mesa

    • Printing (CUPS)

    • Multimedia codecs (GStreamer, libav)

  • ❌ Snap and Ubuntu Pro packages are blocked and purged

  • 👤 Predefined users:

    • ustandard:ustandard — auto-login

    • ubuntu:ubuntu

    • root:toor

  • 🕒 Timezone auto-detected from host

  • 🪄 System cleanup & compression included

📆 Software Stack

The script builds a minimal but install-ready system with:

  • Linux kernel, firmware & headers

  • Base system tools (network, disk, input/output utilities)

  • Full live boot support via casper

  • Core system services (systemd, udev, dbus)

  • Fonts, codecs, printing support

  • X11 and graphics stack

  • No graphical desktop environment by default (headless or DE-ready)

⚖️ How to Use

git clone https://github.com/linuxmative/uStandard.git
cd uStandard
chmod +x ustandard.sh
./ustandard.sh

The script will:

  1. Install all required build dependencies

  2. Bootstrap a minimal system into a chroot

  3. Configure and harden the system

  4. Generate kernel/initrd, squashfs, and GRUB bootloader

  5. Produce a hybrid ISO image: uStandard-noble-YYYYMMDD.iso

📦 Download Prebuilt ISO

A prebuilt ISO is available under the Releases section.
You can test the live image on real hardware or in a virtual machine (e.g., VirtualBox or QEMU).

🦪 Test the ISO

qemu-system-x86_64 -m 2048 -cdrom uStandard-noble-YYYYMMDD.iso

💡 Extend the System

Once booted, install your preferred desktop environment:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install xfce4 lxdm

Other options: GNOME, KDE, Cinnamon, MATE, LXDE, LXQt, etc.

☕ Support the Project

If you find uStandard helpful, please consider donating via PayPal to help keep the project alive.

Your support encourages further development, better documentation, and more features.
Even a small donation goes a long way in supporting open-source software made for the community.

⚖️ License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.
See LICENSE for details.

💼 Disclaimer

This project is not affiliated with Ubuntu, Canonical Ltd., or any of their trademarks.
Ubuntu is a registered trademark of Canonical Ltd.
All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

The uStandard project uses Ubuntu base packages to build a custom system, but it does not use any proprietary software or branding from Canonical.
This project is intended for educational and personal use, and all automated steps are transparent and reproducible.

📬 Author

Maksym Titenko @titenko
GitHub: @linuxmative
Website: linuxmative.github.io