Ubuntu + Btrfs + Automatic Snapshots

This script creates Btrfs subvolumes (while still in Live CD/USB mode) for Ubuntu 24.04 (or newer) and compatible derivatives.

What the Script Does

• Creates Btrfs subvolumes:
  • @home @log @cache @tmp @libvirt @flatpak @docker @containers @machines @var_tmp @opt

Requirements

• Ubuntu 24.04 or newer installed with:
  • Root filesystem using Btrfs
  • Separate /boot partition formatted as ext4 (1GB)
  • (Optional) EFI partition for UEFI systems (1GB)
• Run the ubuntu-btrfs-install script from the Live CD/USB after Ubuntu is installed

Install Ubuntu with Btrfs

This guide uses Ubuntu 25.04 as an example.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preparation

   • Create a bootable USB drive using the Ubuntu ISO
   • Disable Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI if needed to avoid installation issues

2. Start Installation

   • Boot from the USB drive and select your language
   • Choose “Manual installation” (custom partitioning)

3. Create Partitions in the Correct Order

   • Create a new GPT partition table on the disk
   • Create the /boot/efi partition:
     • Size: 1GB
     • Format: FAT32 (vfat)
     • Type: EFI System Partition
     • Mount point: /boot/efi
   • Create the /boot partition:
     • Size: 1GB
     • Format: ext4
     • Mount point: /boot
   • Create the root / partition:
     • Use all remaining space
     • Format: Btrfs
     • Mount point: /

Note: /boot/efi partition don't necessarily need to be created first. The /boot partition can be created first if the installer requires it.

4. Final Partition Table Should Look Like:

   • /boot/efi as FAT32 (vfat)
   • /boot as ext4
   • / as Btrfs

5. Complete Installation

   • Finish the Ubuntu installation, but DO NOT reboot yet

How to Use the Script

⚠️ After installing Ubuntu with Btrfs, do not reboot!

Identify Your Partitions

Run the following command in the terminal:

lsblk -f

Look for identifiers like sda, nvme0n1, etc. Example output:

sda     
├─sda1  vfat   /boot/efi
├─sda2  ext4   /boot
└─sda3  btrfs  /

Download the Script to the Live Session

cd ~/Downloads
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/diogopessoa/ubuntu-btrfs-install/main/ubuntu-btrfs-install.sh

Make It Executable

chmod +x ubuntu-btrfs-install.sh

Run the Script

The argument order must be: root → boot → efi

sudo ./ubuntu-btrfs-install.sh sda3 sda2 sda1

This example is using /dev/sda

Double-check your partition names using lsblk -f

✅ Done!

You can now reboot before installing Snapper and Btrfs Assistant for automatic snapshots.

💡 Tip: to view Btrfs subvolumes run:

sudo btrfs subvolume list /

📦 Manual Installation of Snapper and Btrfs Assistant (Post-Installation)

Snapper is a snapshot manager and Btrfs Assistant is a Snapper GUI.

After rebooting the system, install:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y snapper btrfs-assistant

Create Snapper root config:

sudo snapper -c root create-config /

Enable timeline and cleanup timers:

sudo systemctl enable --now snapper-timeline.timer snapper-cleanup.timer

You can now launch Btrfs Assistant from your application menu or run:

btrfs-assistant

Automatic Snapshots Configuration

1. Now go to "Snapper Settings" tab 🟢 Enable timeline snapshots:
   • Hourly save: 10
   • Daily save: 10
   • Weekly save: 0
   • Montthly save: 3
   • Yearly save: 1
   • Number save: 10

• System unit settings:

  • 🟢 Check "Enable cleanup enabled"
  • 🟢 Check "Snapper timeline enabled"
  • ❌ Keep unmarked "Snapper boot"
    • With a separate /boot on ext4, enabling Boot Snapshots is not recommended because:
    • They will have no real effect.
    • They may cause confusion or failures in system restores (since /boot will not be included in Btrfs snapshots).

2. Click "Apply systemd changes".

✅ Done! Your system now has snapshots automatically.

Screenshots

• Btrfs Assistant "Snapper"

• Btrfs Assistant "Snapper Settings"

License

MIT License — View License You can use, modify, and contribute!

Credits

• openSUSE Team — Snapper
• Antynea — grub-btrfs
• Dan Cantrell — Btrfs Assistant
• Ubuntu — Operating System