Automating Debian installations
Command Line – DebPostInstall

© Photo by Garrett Butler on Unsplash
DebPostInstall takes the drudgery out of Debian installations.
At last count, Debian included over 64,400 packages [1]. Much of the reason for this number is the inclusion of multiple versions of packages in different repositories. Another is the packaging of dozens of scripts, often for Bash. There are, for example, several dozen APT-related packages, some of which have been added to APT alternatives such as Nala. So far, the DebPostInstall [2] script has yet to reach the Debian repositories, but it seems only a matter of time and a few more versions until it does. This simple script automates setting up a Debian-derived server, although it is almost equally handy for a desktop machine, and you will undoubtedly want to modify it to meet your needs.
In Debian jargon, post-install scripts are those that run at the end of a package installation, so DebPostInstall is perhaps a misnomer. It does not run from any package, but instead is a Bash script to run after an installation, handling configurations for which frequent installers often maintain a checklist. Although several of its actions duplicate those in the Debian installer, DebPostInstall does have the advantage of offering a chance to modify one of the quick choices of installation.
Setting Up the Script
To use DebPostInstall, copy the script into a text file. Modify it as desired, save it as debpostinstall.sh
, and run
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
CIQ Releases Security-Hardened Version of Rocky Linux
If you're looking for an enterprise-grade Linux distribution that is hardened for business use, there's a new version of Rocky Linux that's sure to make you and your company happy.
-
Gnome’s Dash to Panel Extension Gets a Massive Update
If you're a fan of the Gnome Dash to Panel extension, you'll be thrilled to hear that a new version has been released with a dock mode.
-
Blender App Makes it to the Big Screen
The animated film "Flow" won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025 and Blender was a part of it.
-
Linux Mint Retools the Cinnamon App Launcher
The developers of Linux Mint are working on an improved Cinnamon App Launcher with a better, more accessible UI.
-
New Linux Tool for Security Issues
Seal Security is launching a new solution to automate fixing Linux vulnerabilities.
-
Ubuntu 25.04 Coming Soon
Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) has been given an April release date with many notable updates.
-
Gnome Developers Consider Dropping RPM Support
In a move that might shock a lot of users, the Gnome development team has proposed the idea of going straight up Flatpak.
-
openSUSE Tumbleweed Ditches AppArmor for SELinux
If you're an openSUSE Tumbleweed user, you can expect a major change to the distribution.
-
Plasma 6.3 Now Available
Plasma desktop v6.3 has a couple of pretty nifty tricks up its sleeve.
-
LibreOffice 25.2 Has Arrived
If you've been hoping for a release that offers more UI customizations, you're in for a treat.