console-conf

console-conf guides a newly started Ubuntu Core device through its first-boot onboarding, helping turn an unconfigured system into one ready for use. It lets the operator configure the device’s network connection during this initial setup. The same flow handles assuming ownership of the system, so the device has an identified owner before deployment continues.

Developed by Canonical, console-conf is an open-source Linux system tool intended for Ubuntu Core devices rather than general desktop use. It suits device builders, administrators, and operators preparing Core hardware at the point where it first comes online. Its defining role is to handle the foundational transition from an untouched Core installation to a networked device with ownership assigned.

The software requires Linux and snapd, and supports the x86_64 (amd64) architecture. From Ubuntu Core 24 onward, it is delivered as a separate snap instead of being part of the base system, allowing it to be installed only when a deployment needs the onboarding experience. It can also be added to a device model when the model’s configuration calls for it, making its inclusion a deliberate part of Core device deployment. The current version is 24.04.1+git45g5f9fae19+g7598200.