* [Topics](/en/topics "Topics") * [Linux](/en/topics/linux "Linux") * What is an image builder? What is an image builder? ========================= Updated February 16, 2026•*4*-minute read Copy URL Jump to section --------------- OverviewGolden imagesRed Hat Enterprise Linux image builderImage mode for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Overview -------- An image builder is a tool used in system administration to create a copy—an exact image—of a virtual system or configuration (such as an [operating system](/en/topics/linux) [OS], server, [virtual machine](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-a-virtual-machine) [VM], [container](/en/topics/containers/whats-a-linux-container), etc.). Developers can use that copy as a base to build and deploy systems—or customized versions—on other machines, platforms, or other environments. Containers and container images, for example, are used in this way to move the code needed for an application from one system or platform to another. [Explore Red Hat Enterprise Linux](/en/resources/make-most-of-your-linux-experience-ebook) With the original system configurations safe, developers can experiment and expand on the image/copy, keeping the original build components and adding features and functionality. This lets them learn and make improvements as they go without altering or damaging the original or its permissions. An image builder makes this possible without the developer needing to create each new image from scratch. The ability to spin up new instances of systems is [an invaluable resource for devops](https://developers.redhat.com/blog/2019/05/08/red-hat-enterprise-linux-8-image-builder-building-custom-system-images), not only saving them the time of building the system copy themselves, but providing consistency with each image. This consistency and validation with image creation means no human errors that have to be fixed which, in turn, means more confidence in the system and efficiency in the process. These images, often referred to as golden images or gold images, can be stored for access to each version as needed, similar to the way [container registries](/en/topics/cloud-native-apps/what-is-a-container-registry) are used. The gold standard of images: What is a golden image? ---------------------------------------------------- A [golden image](/en/topics/linux/what-is-a-golden-image) (also known as a gold image, base image, clone image, or master image) is an image that is considered to be the final, perfect copy of the original system from which copies are made. The term originates from the media and film industries, which use it to signify the final cut or version of a film or album. It’s considered perfect and is therefore "golden." From a [security](/en/topics/security) perspective, creating an image of the most ideal instance of your systems means having a backup copy that makes it easier to get up and running in less time should there be a failure or security breach. A golden image also prevents "drift" or "configuration drift"— a term meaning that a system has changed from its ideal baseline. This could indicate it has added or modified applications, security settings, or system configurations between the data center and recovery systems. Without a gold image baseline, it can be very difficult to identify when or how systems have been modified. This can be crucial to maintain compliance, regulatory, and industry standards. Using a baseline means that you can monitor systems for drift. Golden images also let operations teams (such as systems administrators) create and manage a curated catalog of prebuilt images that can then be deployed by developers and database administrators for development and testing. [Learn more](https://opensource.com/article/19/7/what-golden-image) Recommended for you Building the Future Using Bootable Containers --------------------------------------------- [Watch the webinar](https://www.redhat.com/en/events/webinar/building-future-using-bootable-containers?percmp=RHCTG0250000455235) Red Hat Enterprise Linux image builder -------------------------------------- [Red Hat® Enterprise Linux®](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux) comes with its own image builder, allowing the creation of custom Red Hat Enterprise Linux system images in a selection of formats and configurations. Image builder is available as an on-premise tool or as a [hosted service](http://console.redhat.com/insights/image-builder) on the Red Hat Hybrid Cloud Console which helps you optimize your existing infrastructure and efficiently migrate and deploy future workloads. With Red Hat’s image builder, you can create customizable and repeatable OS images and server images with consistent provisioning and deployment across all environments—including system images prepared for deployment on cloud platforms. Image builder also automatically handles the details of how to deploy to a [cloud](/en/topics/cloud-computing), virtual machine or image, making it easier to use and faster to work with than creating images manually. Images built with image builder are compatible with the major cloud providers and [virtualization](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-virtualization) technologies available so you can quickly spin up new Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems quickly on different platforms, according to your requirements. With Red Hat’s image builder, you can build a custom image in a few simple steps: * Select your platform * Choose between an on-premise build or the hosted version of image builder * Create a template by defining filesystems, selecting packages, and configuring users * Build the image * Deploy. Coming from a leading provider of [open source](/en/topics/open-source/what-is-open-source) enterprise [Linux](/en/topics/linux/what-is-linux), Red Hat Enterprise Linux image builder creates pristine, never-before-booted images, avoiding update and cleanup operations, which can be prone to error. It's also used in all of Red Hat’s own build workflows and is fully tested and supported by Red Hat Quality Engineering. Building your systems (and their images) on a Red Hat foundation means you have access to these other benefits as well: * [Red Hat Lightspeed (formerly Red Hat Insights)](/en/lightspeed) gives visibility over your entire infrastructure. Using a set of baseline images can make it easier to identify vulnerable systems, create playbooks for automation, and track drift within systems. * [Red Hat’s Cloud Access program](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/cloud-access) allows organizations to use their subscription with public cloud providers. As part of this program, Red Hat has created certified, prebuilt images for [Amazon Web Services (AWS)](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/why-choose-red-hat-enterprise-linux-on-aws), [Microsoft Azure](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/why-choose-red-hat-enterprise-linux-on-azure), and [Google Cloud](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/why-choose-red-hat-enterprise-linux-google-cloud) for all of the major products from Red Hat, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, middleware, and storage. * Red Hat even has optimized, OCI-compliant container images as part of its [Universal Base Image Catalog](https://developers.redhat.com/products/rhel/ubi). This video can't play due to privacy settings To change your settings, select the "Cookie Preferences" link in the footer and opt in to "Advertising Cookies or try disabling adblockers." Image mode for Red Hat Enterprise Linux --------------------------------------- [Image mode for Red Hat Enterprise Linux](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/image-mode) is a different method of deploying Red Hat Enterprise Linux where one builds, deploys, and manages the operating system (OS) using container technologies. Managing your OS with the same tools and workflows as application development can help create a consistent experience and common language across teams. Deploying Red Hat Enterprise Linux via package mode is a familiar experience across any footprint, where the OS is assembled and updated from RPM packages. Red Hat Enterprise Linux image builder is used when Red Hat Enterprise Linux is deployed in package mode. In image mode, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is delivered as an immutable bootc container image. Updates are built as new container images and pushed to the container registry, and updates are applied on top of the existing image. This makes it easy to uniformly roll updates out and back if needed. The new container file can be removed in one piece, returning to the original baseline. Both modes run on bare metal, virtual machine, cloud, and edge deployments. [Learn more about image mode for Red Hat Enterprise Linux→](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/image-mode) Recommended for you E-book Maximize your Linux operating environment ----------------------------------------- This e-book examines the essentials of Red Hat Enterprise Linux across 9 distinct areas that affect your operations in a hybrid cloud environment. [Read the e-book](https://www.redhat.com/en/engage/maximize-linux-ebook?percmp=RHCTG0250000455234) Recommended for you Red Hat Certified Specialist in Automating OpenShift Virtual Machine Management Exam ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Red Hat Certified Specialist in Automating OpenShift Virtual Machine Management Exam tests your ability to manage virtual systems running in an OpenShift cluster using Ansible Automation Platform. [View exam](https://www.redhat.com/en/services/training/ex336-red-hat-certified-specialist-automating-openshift-virtual-machine-management-exam?percmp=RHCTG0250000455236) Keep reading ------------ ### Why choose Red Hat for Linux? Workloads need to be portable and scalable across environments. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is your consistent, stable foundation across hybrid cloud deployments. [Read the article](/en/topics/linux/why-choose-red-hat-enterprise-linux "article | why choose red hat for linux?") ### What is Linux? Linux is an open source operating system made up of the kernel, the base component of the OS, and the tools, applications, and services bundled with it. [Read the article](/en/topics/linux/what-is-linux "article | what is linux?") ### How to move to Red Hat Enterprise Linux from other Linux distros Move from CentOS Linux®, Oracle Linux, Alma Linux or Rocky Linux to Red Hat® Enterprise Linux with the convert2RHEL tool. [Read the article](/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux/migration-process/convert2rhel "product article | convert2rhel") Linux resources --------------- ### Related content * Blog post [Simplify Red Hat Enterprise Linux provisioning in image builder with new Red Hat Lightspeed security and management integrations](/en/blog/simplify-red-hat-enterprise-linux-provisioning-image-builder-new-red-hat-lightspeed-security-and-management-integrations) * Case study [Advent One modernizes IT with Red Hat](/en/resources/advent-one-case-study) * Blog post [More than meets the eye: Behind the scenes of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 (Part 5)](/en/blog/more-meets-eye-behind-scenes-red-hat-enterprise-linux-10-part-5) * Blog post [Announcing general availability of SQL Server 2025 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10](/en/blog/announcing-general-availability-sql-server-2025-red-hat-enterprise-linux-10) ### Related articles * [Red Hat OpenShift for 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