# Custom kickstart file (.wks)

**URL:** <https://community.solid-run.com/t/custom-kickstart-file-wks/1114>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Tags:** yocto\
**Created:** [March 9, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.solid-run.com/t/custom-kickstart-file-wks/1114 "2026-03-09T16:12:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Christophe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Christophe](https://community.solid-run.com/u/Christophe)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.solid-run.com/t/custom-kickstart-file-wks/1114/1 "2026-03-09T16:12:46Z")

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Hello,

I would like to customize my `.wks` file. For example to add a `/data` partition separated from my rootfs, so that device specific data remains after a rootfs update.

This works fine when I edit directly `meta-solidrun-arm-imx8/wic/imx-boot-bootpart-distro.wks.in` and recompile my image.

But now, I’m struggling to override this file from my own layer (or `local.conf`). As far as I understand, I have to override `WKS_FILE` (or may be `WKS_FILE:imx8mp-sr-som`?) from either my `local.conf` or my `image.bb`. But, when doing so, the build system doesn’t find my own `.wks.in` file.

So my questions:

- Am I doing wrong?
- Where should I put my customized `.wks.in` file?

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**Author:** ![Christophe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Christophe](https://community.solid-run.com/u/Christophe)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://community.solid-run.com/t/custom-kickstart-file-wks/1114/2 "2026-03-09T16:58:48Z")

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For the record, I thought that I tested that before, but I eventually managed to compile my image with my own `mine.wks.in` in file. For that I:

- added `WKS_FILE:imx8mp-sr-som = "mine.wks.in"` to my layer’s `build.conf`
- added my `mine.wks.in` file in the `wic` directory at the root of my layer directory

Don’t hesitate to tell me if there is a cleaner way to to it, but at least my problem is solved.

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**Author:** ![jnettlet](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/community.solid-run.com/jnettlet/32/62_2.png) [@jnettlet](https://community.solid-run.com/u/jnettlet)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 2:03pm UTC](https://community.solid-run.com/t/custom-kickstart-file-wks/1114/3 "2026-03-10T14:03:00Z")

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My guess is your layer is not prioritized on top of the other layers, which may be causing the problem. Regardless your solution is an acceptable workaround, and shouldn’t cause any problems.

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**Author:** ![Christophe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Christophe](https://community.solid-run.com/u/Christophe)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 2:06pm UTC](https://community.solid-run.com/t/custom-kickstart-file-wks/1114/4 "2026-03-10T14:06:34Z")

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Thanks!