---
name: "singularity-overlay-create"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "apptainer"
version: "1.5.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/singularity-overlay-create"
---

# singularity-overlay-create(1)

Create EXT3 writable overlay image

## NAME

apptainer-overlay-create - Create EXT3 writable overlay image

## SYNOPSIS

**apptainer overlay create  image**

## DESCRIPTION

The overlay create command allows creating EXT3 writable overlay image either\
   as a single EXT3 image or by adding it automatically to an existing SIF image.

## OPTIONS

**--create-dir**=\[\]\
 	directory to create as part of the overlay layout

**-f**, **--fakeroot**\[=false\]\
 	make overlay layout usable by actions run with --fakeroot

**-h**, **--help**\[=false\]\
 	help for create

**-s**, **--size**=64\
 	size of the EXT3 writable overlay in MiB

**-S**, **--sparse**\[=false\]\
 	create a sparse overlay

## EXAMPLE

```
  To create and add a writable overlay to an existing SIF image:
  $ apptainer overlay create --size 1024 /tmp/image.sif
  To create a single EXT3 writable overlay image:
  $ apptainer overlay create --size 1024 /tmp/my_overlay.img
  To create a sparse overlay when creating a new ext3 file system image:
  $ apptainer overlay create --size 1024 --sparse /tmp/ext3_overlay.img
  To create an EXT3 writable overlay image for use with --fakeroot actions:
  $ apptainer overlay create --fakeroot --size 1024 /tmp/my_overlay.img
```

## SEE ALSO

**[apptainer-overlay(1)](/apptainer-overlay/1.md)**

## HISTORY

22-Sep-2026 Auto generated by spf13/cobra