macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install genext2fslocal Homebrew formula metadata
MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install genext2fsMacPorts ports tree · sysutils/genext2fs/Portfile · source: api.github.com
brew
Install genext2fs with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix
Generates an ext2 filesystem as a normal (non-root) user. Version 1.6.2 via Homebrew; verified from local package data.
install
Additional install commands
Linux
Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add genext2fsAlpine Linux edge package indexes · genext2fs · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org
Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install genext2fsDebian stable package indexes · genext2fs · source: deb.debian.org
Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install genext2fsFedora Rawhide package metadata · genext2fs · source: dl.fedoraproject.org
Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#genext2fsnixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/ge/genext2fs/package.nix · source: api.github.com
overview
Package summary
Generates an ext2 filesystem as a normal (non-root) user
Project links
Commands and aliases
- genext2fs
history
Project history and usage
genext2fs is a small filesystem-image builder for creating ext2 filesystems without mounting an image and without running as root. Its niche is especially visible in embedded and image-building workflows, where reproducible creation of root filesystems matters more than interactive disk administration.
Project history
The project homepage describes the original design goal plainly: generate an ext2 filesystem as a normal user, including ownership, permissions, and device nodes, without mounting the image. The GitHub repository later became the source and issue-tracking home for bug fixes and feature work.
Adoption history
The SourceForge homepage notes that many Linux users obtain genext2fs through distribution packages. Homebrew, Debian-family, Alpine, Fedora-family, MacPorts, and Nix packaging in the input record reflect its long-running role as a build-time utility rather than an end-user application.
How it is used
Practitioners use genext2fs to assemble ext2 images from directories, tarballs, and device-table specifications. The README documents image sizing, inode control, device node creation, stdin pipelines, fake timestamps, SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH support, and examples for flash or floppy-style images.
Why package nerds care
genext2fs matters because it avoids privileged mounts in build systems. That makes it attractive for package builders, embedded distributions, and CI jobs that need filesystem artifacts but should not require root.
Timeline
- 2017: the GitHub repository used by the project homepage was created.
- 2026: Homebrew packaged the 1.6.x line while the upstream README documented reproducible-build timestamp support.
Related projects
- Related tools and concepts include ext2, device tables, reproducible-build SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH handling, and embedded Linux root filesystem image generation.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: green
narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.
Risk classifier
green risk · low confidence · appliance
Why
- narrow executable package without higher-risk signals
Signals
- metadata:no-higher-risk-signals
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
- Build metadata lists 2 build dependencies.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
genext2fs | cli | global executable |
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-07-08
manager version1.6.2
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamcurrent
latest detectedv1.6.2
https://github.com/bestouff/genext2fs
- infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:genext2fs |
|---|---|
| Version | 1.6.2 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/genext2fs |
| Homepage | https://genext2fs.sourceforge.net/ |
| Repository | https://github.com/bestouff/genext2fs |
| Upstream docs | https://genext2fs.sourceforge.net/ |
| License | GPL-2.0-or-later |
| Source archive | https://github.com/bestouff/genext2fs/archive/refs/tags/v1.6.2.tar.gz |
| Build dependencies | autoconf, automake |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | genext2fs |
| Version Scheme | 0 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Bottle Stable Root URL | https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
| Keg Only | no |
| URL Keys |
|
source database matches
Other package-manager records
Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.
Debian apt95%
genext2fs 1.5.0-3+b1
ext2 filesystem generator for embedded systems
https://github.com/bestouff/genext2fs
sudo apt install genext2fs- Section: admin
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: genext2fs
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Genext2fs
Nix95%
genext2fs
nix profile install nixpkgs#genext2fs- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Genext2fs
Ubuntu apt95%
genext2fs 1.5.0-3build2
ext2 filesystem generator for embedded systems
https://github.com/bestouff/genext2fs
sudo apt install genext2fs- Section: universe/admin
- Architecture: amd64
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Genext2fs
apk95%
genext2fs 1.6.2-r0
Generate ext2 filesystems as a normal user
https://genext2fs.sourceforge.net/
sudo apk add genext2fs- License: GPL-2.0-only
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: genext2fs
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Genext2fs
apk95%
genext2fs-doc 1.6.2-r0
Generate ext2 filesystems as a normal user (documentation)
https://genext2fs.sourceforge.net/
sudo apk add genext2fs-doc- License: GPL-2.0-only
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: genext2fs
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Genext2fs
dnf95%
genext2fs 1.6.2-1.fc45
ext2 filesystem generator
https://github.com/bestouff/genext2fs/
sudo dnf install genext2fs- License: GPL-2.0-only
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: genext2fs
- 2 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Genext2fs
MacPorts95%
genext2fs
sudo port install genext2fs- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Genext2fs
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- Geiger risk classifier
- Nucleus package database
- av.db category and tag curation
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated package history
- external package-manager database matches
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment