- downloads proven sources, applies patches and uses tested configurations,
- cross-compiles universal boot loader (u-boot), kernel and other tools and drivers,
- packs kernel, uboot, dtb and root customizations into debs,
- debootstraps minimalistic Debian Wheezy, Jessie and Ubuntu Trusty into SD card image,
- installs additional packets, applies customizations and shrinks image to its actual size.
Check this image [compiling example](https://youtu.be/zeShf12MNLg) with partial cache.
## Creating compile environment ##
At first run we are downloading all necessary dependencies.
## Using board configuration ##
We need to get some predefined variables about selected board. Which kernel & uboot source to use, modules to load, which is the build number, do we need to have a single partition or dual with boot on fat, which extra drivers to compile out of the kernel tree, ...
## Downloading sources ##
When we know where are the sources and where they need to be the download / update process starts. This might take from several minutes to several hours.
## Patching ##
In patching process we are appling patches to sources. The process is defined in:
To recreate those files you need to remove them manually.
## Kernel install ##
When root filesystem is ready we need to install kernel image with modules, board definitions, firmwares. Along with this we set the CPU frequency min/max, hostname, modules, network interfaces templates. Here is also the place to install headers and fix + native compile them on the way.
## Distribution fixes ##
Each distributin has it's own way of doing things:
- serial console
- different packets
- configuration locations
## Board fixes ##
Each board has their own tricks: **different device names, firmware loaders, configuration (de)compilers, hardware configurators**
## Desktop installation ##
You can build a desktop withing the image. Consider this feature as experimental. Hardware acceleration on Allwinner boards is working within kernel 3.4.x only.
## External applications ##
This place is reserved for custom applications. There is one example of application - USB redirector.
## Closing image ##
There is an option to add some extra commands just before closing an image which is also automaticaly shrink to it's actual size with some small reserve.
