Need info about how WSL2 boots

[GutiPerez]

Hello!

I would like to know where I could find information about the process of booting a distro on WSL2. My problem is that I have tried importing a custom distro to WSL2, but all I get is the file system mount with a root user. I am trying to figure out how I should configure my custom distro so that the first time it is launched it folllows a specific process (like doing some configurations, creating an user, etc.). I know, for example, that systemmd is not available on WSL2, so I guess launching a distro from WSL2 has some peculiarities that need to be addressed.

So, to sum up, where could I find more information about the boot process on WSL2 or some guidance about how I should configure my distro so that it boots like on a normal environment but on WSL2.

Thanks in advance.

[onomatopellan]

After importing a distro you need to create a /etc/wsl.conf file with this content:

[user]
default=username

where username is the user you had before exporting the distro. After running wsl.exe --shutdown your distro should boot with your user instead of root.

In https://github.com/microsoft/WSL-DistroLauncher you have more info about customizing distros.

[roy-nard]

Great subject actually.
The answer was very practical - it did not offer any information on the system but rather solved the problem minimalistically.
There are too many discrepancies from a e.g. vanilla Debian installation.
Where can we find more information? Regarding wsl.conf, but as OP said - "need info on how WSL2 boots"?

[Biswa96]

need info on how WSL2 boots

Technically speaking, there is zero documentation about that specific question because everything about WSL is closed source. The question is so huge. Please narrow down the scope of the question. I can try to answer it.

how I should configure my custom distro

Most of the WSL side configurations are documented here https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/wsl-config