Serves as the mandatory foundation for all rpi-image-gen builds, and is automatically included in every configuration to provide essential build infrastructure.
The essential layer doesn’t define variables itself but ensures that every build has access to:
Artefact naming
Build environment
Target configuration
Core build infrastructure
Foundation layer: Sits at the bottom of the dependency hierarchy
Mandatory inclusion: Cannot be excluded from any build
Infrastructure aggregation: Pulls together all essential base layers
Dependency management: Ensures consistent base infrastructure across builds
Guaranteed infrastructure: Every build has the required foundation
Consistent behaviour: Same core variables available in every build
Future-proof: Easy to add more essential dependencies as needed
Users don’t need to explicitly include this layer - it’s automatically included by the build system. All other layers can depend on essential to ensure they have access to the core build infrastructure. This ensures that every rpi-image-gen build, whether filesystem-only or full image, has access to the fundamental build tools and configuration needed for successful execution.
File: base/core-essential.yaml
Type: static