Install clean copy of distro under new name
- Dominant language
- C++
- Stars
- 33.7k
- Forks
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- Avg merge
- 3d 17h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 116
Description
**Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.**
I want to easily install multiple copies of one distribution under different names. For example I'd like a DebianA for one project, and a DebianB for another project.
**Describe the solution you'd like**
I'd like for wsl --install to have an additional commandline argument that lets me specify a name. Something like:
```
wsl --install -d Debian --name DebianA
wsl --install -d Debian --name DebianB
```
**Describe alternatives you've considered**
There's a workaround here - https://fourco.nl/blogs/duplicate-a-linux-distro-under-wsl2/ - which boils down to:
```
wsl --install -d Debian
wsl --export Debian debian_stock.tar
wsl --import DebianA .\DebianA debian_stock.tar
wsl --import DebianB .\DebianB debian_stock.tar
```
But this is inconvenient if I want an automated way to create a *stock* copy. I'd have to delete my real 'Debian', install a fresh copy, and then carry out the export+import+import steps.
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start with the existing `wsl --install` command and compare its behavior with the `--export` and `--import` workflow described in the issue. The change is done when `--install -d Debian --name DebianA` and a second differently named copy provide automated clean installations without requiring the workaround.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- cpp
- Domain
- cli, operating-systems
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 35/100