How to install CapivaraOS
Installing CapivaraOS is straightforward: download the ISO for the spin you chose, create a bootable USB drive and follow the installer. This guide covers each step.
Minimum requirements
| Marsh | Pup | Snout | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | 64-bit | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| RAM | 4 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 25 GB | 20 GB | 25 GB |
| Boot | UEFI or BIOS | UEFI or BIOS | UEFI or BIOS |
1. Download the ISO
Go to the Download page and pick your spin.
Download the ISO and the matching .sha256 file. Before
proceeding, verify the file's integrity:
sha256sum -c CapivaraOS-*.sha256If the output says OK, the file is intact.
2. Create the bootable USB drive
You'll need a USB drive with at least 8 GB. Use one of these tools:
- Fedora Media Writer (recommended) — simple and straightforward
- Balena Etcher — works on Windows, macOS and Linux
- dd (Linux/macOS, command line):
sudo dd if=CapivaraOS-*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
Replace /dev/sdX with your USB drive — be careful not to
point it at the wrong disk.
3. Boot from the USB drive
Restart your computer with the USB drive plugged in. On most machines,
press F12, F2 or Del during
startup to open the boot menu and select the USB drive.
If the computer boots normally into the old system, check your motherboard's manual for the correct key.
4. Try before you install
CapivaraOS starts in Live mode — you can use the full system directly from the USB drive, without installing anything. This is a good time to check that your hardware works well.
When you're ready, click Install to Hard Drive on the desktop.
5. The installer
CapivaraOS uses Fedora's installer (Anaconda). The main steps are:
- Language — choose the installation language
- Keyboard — confirm your keyboard layout
- Time zone — select your region
- Installation destination — choose the disk. For beginners, the automatic option works well in most cases. Advanced users can configure partitions manually
- Username and password — create your account
- Begin installation — the process takes a few minutes
When it's done, remove the USB drive when prompted and restart.
Done
On first boot, CapivaraOS will walk you through the initial setup. Welcome to the project.
Have questions? Reach out through the Contact page.