NSpawn Subsystem for Linux

Linux development on an atomic host ¶

Install your development tools in a Debian, Fedora or other Linux machine and leave the host alone. nsl works much like WSL: each machine keeps its packages, services and files between sessions. The machines run as systemd-nspawn containers inside a shared VM, start when you need them, and can work in your host files.

Install nsl → How it works

nsl create debian --distro debian:13 # verify the signed images; the first machine is the default nsl # a login shell in the machine, in this directory nsl run make test # one command, with its exit status

What a machine gives you ¶

A shell where you need it

Run nsl from your project directory to open a shell in the default machine, working in the same files. Use nsl run for a single command; its exit status comes back to the host.

Your files and your account

Your $HOME , /run/media/USER and /mnt are available under /mnt/host .…