Hi,

I'd like to install a Debian system via mmdebstrap with the following characteristics:
1. I'd like to try to do that using mmdebstrap;
2. Debian testing;
3. I want to avoid grub (don't even install it) - I'd like to install systemd-boot and run with it;
4. Then install wayland, pipewire;
5. Minimal system - with systemd :-/ - into which I then want to install a gnome minimal desktop (no games or apps it thinks I need);
6. Finally install all the cruft I use on top of that.

I tried to search for such a setup online but mmdebstrap doesn't seem to be very much known to folks.
I also found a guide to switch from grub to systemd-boot, but I'd rather avoid grub completely from the start.
Secure boot, firewall, disk encryption and the like can be left out for now until I'm comfortable setting the system up. I prepared a UEFI partition for... well, for UEFI already, a partition for data (that I can link to from my /home/Aquarina, later) and two partitions for the system - once i install one in one of them, I can then use the other one to make a second, third, fourth... better system with further improvements jumping from one to the other.

Can someone help me do that?

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/systemd-boot

Arch wiki is generally considered to be one of the best resources available regardless of distro. I'd start there.

1 members found this post helpful.

That's where I started. Thanks.
Ended up quiting, though!
1. Installed with debootstrap - leave mmdebstrap to test some other time!
2. Ok.
3. Couldn't do it. All of the internet seems to like systemd-boot to load grub!
4. Ok. Some problems...
5. This "minimal system" thing seems to be too minimal: missing some important things that I'll try to fix as I go like the slider for sound in the gnome pannel, no bluetooth...
6. This part has gone well.

Feel like secure boot, firewall, disk encryption and the like are going to be put off for some more time.
But I'm writing this from the newly installed system. :-)

Maybe I should try to ask one question at a time... baby steps.