Build all packages for an image

Is it possible to build all of the packages for a specific image? I know I can build packages individually, but ideally would like to build all of them at once, through a single command.

Alternatively, is there a way to prevent the do_rootfs task from being executed for a particular image.

Cheers, Donal

Solution

First make an image that contains a packagegroup (or just list your dependencies there).

$ cat sources/meta-custom/recipes-custom/images/only-packages-image.bb
SUMMARY = "All dependencies no image"
LICENSE = "CLOSED"
version = "@@DISTRO_VERSION@@"

BB_SCHEDULER = "speed"

# option 1 - packagegroup, package list can be reused in real image
CORE_IMAGE_BASE_INSTALL += "\
    packagegroup_all-depends \
"
# option 2 - list deps here, package list can not be reused in real image
CORE_IMAGE_BASE_INSTALL += "\
    lshw \
    systemd \
    cronie \
    glibc \
    sqlite \
    bash \
    python3-dev \
    python3-2to3 \
    python3-misc \
    python3-pyvenv \
    python3-modules \
    python3-pip \
    wget \
    apt \
    pciutils \
    file \
    tree \
    \
    wpa-supplicant \
    dhcpcd \
    networkmanager \
    curl-dev \
    curl \
    hostapd \
    iw \
"

# remove the rootfs step
do_rootfs() {
}

Second make your packagegroup if you opted to reuse the list of packages

$ cat sources/meta-custom/recipes-custom/packagegroups/packagegroup-alldeps.bb
PACKAGE_ARCH = "${MACHINE_ARCH}"
inherit packagegroup

RDEPENDS_${PN} = " \
    lshw \
    systemd \
    cronie \
    glibc \
    sqlite \
    bash \
    python3-dev \
    python3-2to3 \
    python3-misc \
    python3-pyvenv \
    python3-modules \
    python3-pip \
    wget \
    apt \
    pciutils \
    file \
    tree \
    \
    wpa-supplicant \
    dhcpcd \
    networkmanager \
    curl-dev \
    curl \
    hostapd \
    iw \
"

Finally build your new image placeholder

$ bitbake only-packages-image