From b42bfbdfe55eea56234a91c33ef12b9fe198766d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Attila Lendvai Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2021 20:18:56 +0100 Subject: guix system vm: Add --no-graphic CLI argument. It configures QEMU to use the tty it was started in for IO (as opposed to opening a separate graphical window). This enables copy-pasting and scrollback. Exit QEMU with C-a x. * gnu/system/vm.scm (system-qemu-image/shared-store-script): Also add the '-nographic' QEMU argument when called with #:graphic? #false. * guix/scripts/system.scm (system-derivation-for-action): Propagate the #:graphic? keyword arg. (perform-action): Add and propagate the #:graphic? keyword arg. (show-help): Add --no-graphic CLI arg. (%options): Process the new --no-graphic CLI arg. (process-action): Feed in the CLI arg through the #:graphic? keyword arg. * doc/guix.texi (Invoking guix system): Add example to combine guix system and invoking the vm start script into one command. Split the description of the various options into separate paragraphs. Add a paragraph to describe --no-graphic. Signed-off-by: Mathieu Othacehe --- doc/guix.texi | 23 +++++++++++++++++++---- 1 file changed, 19 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-) (limited to 'doc') diff --git a/doc/guix.texi b/doc/guix.texi index a675631b79..9914829b2b 100644 --- a/doc/guix.texi +++ b/doc/guix.texi @@ -34506,8 +34506,8 @@ passed. @cindex virtual machine @cindex VM @anchor{guix system vm} -Build a virtual machine that contains the operating system declared in -@var{file}, and return a script to run that virtual machine (VM). +Build a virtual machine (VM) that contains the operating system declared +in @var{file}, and return a script to run that VM. @quotation Note The @code{vm} action and others below @@ -34526,6 +34526,12 @@ emulated machine: $ /gnu/store/@dots{}-run-vm.sh -m 1024 -smp 2 -nic user,model=virtio-net-pci @end example +It's possible to combine the two steps into one: + +@example +$ $(guix system vm my-config.scm) -m 1024 -smp 2 -nic user,model=virtio-net-pci +@end example + The VM shares its store with the host system. Additional file systems can be shared between the host and the VM using @@ -34549,8 +34555,17 @@ store of the host can then be mounted. The @option{--full-boot} option forces a complete boot sequence, starting with the bootloader. This requires more disk space since a root image containing at least the kernel, initrd, and bootloader data files must -be created. The @option{--image-size} option can be used to specify the -size of the image. +be created. + +The @option{--image-size} option can be used to specify the size of the +image. + +The @option{--no-graphic} option will instruct @command{guix system} to +spawn a headless VM that will use the invoking tty for IO. Among other +things, this enables copy-pasting, and scrollback. Use the @kbd{ctrl-a} +prefix to issue QEMU commands; e.g. @kbd{ctrl-a h} prints a help, +@kbd{ctrl-a x} quits the VM, and @kbd{ctrl-a c} switches between the +QEMU monitor and the VM. @cindex System images, creation in various formats @cindex Creating system images in various formats -- cgit 1.4.1