How to Build Kernel on Debian Bookworm – Step-by-step

GNU/Linux Debian Bookworm Build Kernel from Source Code Guide

Hi! This tutorial will guide you step-by-step on How to Build and Install a New Custom Kernel from Source Code in Debian Bookworm 12.x GNU/Linux Desktop.

Especially relevant: this Debian Bookworm Kernel Setup make use of the original Linux Kernel Source Code.

Again this tutorial make it the Easy Way and so is intended especially for Beginners.

Possibly, a very good Alternative for Desktops is represented by the ready-made XanMod and Liquorix Kernel Setup.

Important to know how this Setup does Not change your existing System and so in any case you will be able to startup with the current Kernel from the GRUB Splash Screen.

For further advanced Kernel Configuration instructions you may see the Linux Kernel Documentation.

Finally, for a Non Bootable System before see: How to chroot on Debian GNU/Linux Tutorial.

1. 1. Installing Dependencies

   Open a Terminal Shell emulator window
   (Press “Enter” to Execute Commands)

   
   In case first see: Terminal QuickStart Guide.
   And Update Debian Apt Repository:

   sudo apt update

   Then play:

   sudo apt install build-essential libncurses5-dev fakeroot xz-utils libelf-dev bison flex dwarves

   Authenticate with the User Admin Pass.
   If Got “User is Not in Sudoers file” then see: How to Enable sudo.

   In case first see: Terminal QuickStart Guide.
   

2. 2. Making Target Directory

   Now make the Target Folder
   With:

   mkdir ~/kernel

3. 3. Downloading Linux Kernel

   Download Linux Kernel Source Code for Debian GNU/Linux

   Linux Kernel tar.xz Archive

   Downloading Linux Kernel for Debian
   Grab the tar.xz or tar.gz Archive from the List.

4. 4. Extracting Linux Kernel Archive

   Then Extract Linux Kernel into the target Directory
   First, access it:

   cd ~/kernel

   Then to untar the downloaded Kernel Source into the current Folder run:

   tar -xavf ~/Downloads/linux*.tar.xz

   But if you got “No such file” then see: How to Access Downloads Folder from Browser.
   Last, copy the Source into the default location:

   sudo cp -r ./linux* /usr/src/