chisel

Chisel is an open-source utility for Linux that can derive a minimal Ubuntu-like Linux distribution. It works from a release database that describes slices of existing packages. A slice represents selected files from packages available in the Ubuntu archives. Developers can choose the slices they need and combine them into a new filesystem.

The resulting filesystem can be packaged as an OCI-compliant container image or another similar format. This makes chisel relevant to developers who need to assemble a focused filesystem from existing Ubuntu package content. Its central workflow is based on selecting package files rather than taking every file from each package. The release database provides the definitions used to make those selections.

The Linux snap version has a location restriction for installing slices. The root location supplied to the cut command must be inside the user’s HOME directory. Users therefore need to place the generated slice content within that part of the filesystem when using this version. This requirement is part of how the snap operates on Linux.

In the MirrorNest Utilities catalog, chisel is presented as a Linux tool for developers working with custom Ubuntu-like filesystems and container images. MirrorNest mirrors the official build directly onto its own storage rather than providing a modified version. The mirrored build is scanned for malware before it is published. Its open-source license and Linux platform identify it as a utility for users who want to work with its source-based filesystem assembly model.