* '''Script Name Verification''': The installer checks for valid script names, such as <code>dist-installer-cli</code>, {{kicksecure_wiki
|wikipage=VirtualBox/Installer
|text=<code>virtualbox-installer</code>
}}, <code>{{project_name_short_lowercase}}-cli-installer-cli</code>, <code>{{project_name_short_lowercase}}-xfce-installer-cli</code>.
* '''Command-Line Parsing''': It parses any command-line options provided.
* '''System Requirements Check''': The installer assesses if the system meets prerequisites like adequate disk space, RAM, and virtualization support. Users are informed if any of these criteria aren't met.
* '''Package Installation''': Necessary packages for the script's operation, like <code>signify</code>, <code>curl</code>, <code>rsync</code>, and <code>vboxmanage</code> (for VirtualBox users) are installed using the distribution's package manager (APT or DNF).

* '''Repository Settings''':
** <u>Debian and Derivatives</u>:
*** For <code>bullseye</code> (<code>oldstable</code>): Enables the Debian <code>backports</code> and <code>fasttrack</code> repositories.
*** For <code>bookworm</code> (<code>stable</code>): Same as above.
*** For <code>trixie</code> (<code>testing</code>): Enables the Debian <code>unstable</code> repository and configures APT pinning to prefer packages from <code>testing</code> over <code>unstable</code> so only VirtualBox gets installed from <code>unstable</code> and no other dependency packages are unnecessarily pulled from <code>unstable</code>.
*** For <code>sid</code> (<code>unstable</code>): Installs from Debian <code>unstable</code> repository.
** <u>Fedora and Derivatives</u>: Enables the <code>virtualbox.org</code> (Oracle) repository.
** <u>Updates</u>: The preferred repository for VirtualBox installation may vary in the future based on availability. Updated installers might fetch VirtualBox from the Debian <code>fasttrack</code> repository, <code>virtualbox.org</code> (Oracle) repository, or the {{Kicksecure}} repository. ({{project_name_short}} development discussion: [https://forums.whonix.org/t/whonix-virtualbox-integration-and-upgrades/11705 VirtualBox Integration and Upgrades])
* '''Version Querying''': If no version is specified via command line, the {{project_name_short}} version number is fetched using the [[API]].
* '''Virtual Machine Handling''': 
** <u>For previously imported VMs,</u> users are prompted to boot the virtual system(s).
** <u>For previously downloaded VM files,</u> authenticity and integrity checks are run.
** <u>For first-time users,</u> the installer downloads the required files, conducts authenticity and integrity checks, imports the system(s), and then attempts to start the Virtual Machine(s).
* Inform user if VMs are already running and abort installation.

'''Additional Features:'''

* '''Download Resumption''': Utilizes <code>rsync</code> internally to enable download resumption capabilities.
* '''Integrity Checking''': Offers a streamlined integrity verification process, facilitated by <code>rsync</code>.
* '''Onion Support''': Allows for downloads from onion sources with the <code>--onion</code> command line option.
* '''Default Download Directory''': Files are saved in the <code>~/dist-installer-cli-download</code> folder.
* '''Logging Mechanics''': For transparency, every command executed is logged in the download directory, accompanied by the specific script version used at the time.
* '''Transparent System Modifications''': The installer’s operations are evident to the user. All persistent system alterations, especially those executed with administrative ("root") privileges, are prominently detailed in the installer's output.
* '''Documentation''': Comprehensive details can be found in the [https://github.com/{{project_name_short}}/usability-misc/blob/master/man/dist-installer-cli.1.ronn <code>dist-installer-cli</code> man page].
* '''Checks''': [[Nested Virtualization]], secure boot enabled check.

'''Developer Information:'''

* '''Source Code''': [https://github.com/{{project_name_short}}/usability-misc/blob/master/usr/bin/dist-installer-cli <code>/usr/bin/dist-installer-cli</code>], [https://github.com/{{project_name_short}}/usability-misc/blob/master/.github/workflows/builds.yml Continuous Integration Testing <code>.github/workflows/builds.yml</code>]
* '''Development Wiki Page''': [[Dev/Linux Installer]]
* '''Development Discussion''': [https://forums.whonix.org/t/whonix-linux-installer-development-discussion/15917 forums discussion]
* '''Security''': The <code>dist-installer-cli</code> script is not intended for curl bash piping. However, for a comprehensive discussion on security concerns related to this topic, see [[Dev/curl_bash_pipe|here]].
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