Flatcar Container Linux runs in your VPS's memory upon delivery. In this manual, we show you how to install Flatcar Container Linux on the hard drive of your VPS.
Flatcar Container Linux can only be installed on a server with 4GB of RAM or more.
Step 1
You will receive an order confirmation after ordering/reinstalling Flatcar Container Linux. Connect to your VPS via SSH with the username 'core'.
Step 2
Execute the following commands to install Flatcar Container Linux on your hard drive:
curl http://pxe.frontend.transip.nl/fedora-coreos.ign/ -o ignition.json
sudo flatcar-install -i ignition.json -d /dev/vda
sudo rebootWhen you run this on your server, it will look like this, for example:
Flatcar Container Linux by Kinvolk stable 4593.2.1
Welcome to your new account! Update Strategy: No Reboots
core@localhost ~ $ curl http://pxe.frontend.transip.nl/fedora-coreos.ign/ -o ignition.json
% Total % Received % Xferd Average Speed Time Time Time Current
Dload Upload Total Spent Left Speed
100 1307 0 1307 0 0 3319 0 --:--:-- --:--:-- --:--:-- 3325
core@localhost ~ $ sudo flatcar-install -i ignition.json -d /dev/vda
Downloading the signature for https://stable.release.flatcar-linux.net/amd64-usr/4593.2.1/flatcar_production_image.bin.bz2...
2026-05-27 07:47:29 URL:https://flatcar.cdn.cncf.io/stable/amd64-usr/4593.2.1/flatcar_production_image.bin.bz2.sig [622/622] -> "/tmp/flatcar-install.6OhVirEFTh/flatcar_production_image.bin.bz2.sig" [1]
Downloading, writing and verifying flatcar_production_image.bin.bz2...
2026-05-27 07:49:48 URL:https://flatcar.cdn.cncf.io/stable/amd64-usr/4593.2.1/flatcar_production_image.bin.bz2 [495549998/495549998] -> "-" [1]
gpg: Signature made Sat May 9 00:48:05 2026 UTC
gpg: using RSA key 52F145DFD00BBDCD928CBB5A32DA80F91EF52974
gpg: issuer "buildbot@flatcar-linux.org"
gpg: Good signature from "Flatcar Buildbot (Official Builds) <buildbot@flatcar-linux.org>" [unknown]
gpg: WARNING: The key's User ID is not certified with a trusted signature!
gpg: There is no indication that the signature belongs to the owner.
F88CFEDEFF29A5B4D9523864E25D9AED0593B34A
52F145DFD00BBDCD928CBB5A32DA80F91EF52974
Installing Ignition config ignition.json...
Success! Flatcar Container Linux stable 4593.2.1 is installed on /dev/vda
core@localhost ~ $ sudo reboot
Broadcast message from root@localhost on pts/1 (Wed 2026-05-27 07:53:18 UTC):
The system will reboot now!
core@localhost ~ $client_loop: send disconnect: Connection reset
user@yourowncomputer> ssh core@12.34.567.890
Flatcar Container Linux by Kinvolk stable 4593.2.1
Welcome to your new account!
core@localhost ~ $Note: This description applies to Flatcar Container Linux Stable. If you wish to install an alpha or beta version, you can do so by changing the -C (channel) in the 'install' command:
sudo flatcar-install -i ignition.json -d /dev/vda -C alphaor
sudo flatcar-install -i ignition.json -d /dev/vda -C beta
Should you have any further questions regarding this article, please do not hesitate to contact our support department. You can reach them via the 'Contact us' button at the bottom of this page.