---
name: "mkosi-initrd"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "mkosi"
version: "27.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/mkosi-initrd"
---

# mkosi-initrd(1)

Build initrds or unified kernel images for the current system using mkosi

## NAME

mkosi-initrd — Build initrds or unified kernel images for the current system using mkosi

## SYNOPSIS

**mkosi-initrd \[options...\]**

## DESCRIPTION

**mkosi-initrd** is wrapper on top of **mkosi** to simplify the generation of initrds and Unified Kernel Images for the current running system.

## OPTIONS

- **--kernel-version=**, **-k**

  Kernel version where to look for the kernel modules to include. Defaults to the kernel version of the running system (**uname** **-r**).

- **--format=**, **-t**

  Output format. One of **cpio** (CPIO archive), **uki** (a unified kernel image with the image in the **.initrd** PE section) or **directory** (for generating an image directly in a local directory). Defaults to **cpio**.

- **--output=**, **-o**

  Name to use for the generated output image file or directory. Defaults to **initrd**.

- **--output-dir=**, **-O**

  Path to a directory where to place all generated artifacts. Defaults to the current working directory.

- **--generic**, **-g**

  Build a generic initrd without host-specific kernel modules, which should allow the local system to boot on different hardware, although it’s tied to the kernel version of the running system or set with **--kernel-version=**.

- **--profile=**

  Set the profiles to enable for the initrd. By default, all profiles are disabled.

  The **lvm** profile enables support for LVM. The **network** profile enables support for network via **systemd-networkd**. The **nfs** profile enables support for NFS. It requires networking in the initrd, using the **network** profile, or some other custom method. The **pkcs11** profile enables support for PKCS#11. The **plymouth** profile provides a graphical interface at boot (animation and password prompt). The **raid** profile enables support for RAID arrays.

- **--debug**

  Enable additional debugging output.

- **--debug-shell**

  Spawn debug shell in sandbox if a sandboxed command fails.

- **--debug-sandbox**

  Run **mkosi-sandbox** with **strace**.

- **--show-documentation**, **-D**

  Show the man page for mkosi-initrd.

- **--show-summary**, **-S**

  Show the summary of configuration.

- **--version**

  Show package version.

- **--help**, **-h**

  Show brief usage information.

## CONFIGURATION

Configuration for **mkosi-initrd** is read from **/usr/lib**, **/usr/local/lib**, **/run**, **/etc**, in increasing order of priority. Under any of those directories, **mkosi.conf.d/** can be used for config files, **mkosi.extra/** can be used for extra files to include in the initrd, and so on. See the **Configuration Settings** and **FILES** sections in [**mkosi**(1)](/mkosi/1.md) for full details.

For configuration files, use drop-ins, e.g. **/etc/mkosi-initrd/mkosi.conf.d/local.conf**.

## SEE ALSO

[**mkosi**(1)](/mkosi/1.md)