this post was submitted on 28 Mar 2025
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Can't boot into snapshots via rEFInd (self.archlinux)
submitted 2 days ago by gpstarman to c/archlinux@lemmy.ml
6 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

What I want:

To boot into a BTRFS snapshots from rEFind boot manager.

Additional Info:

  1. So, apparently, to restore the BTRFS snapshot of a root subvolume, I shouldn't do it with the root partition being actively used.
  1. So, I need to boot into the desired snapshot from the boot manager itself.
  1. GRUB has grub-btrfs, which lets you boot into snapshot from OS selection screen itself.
  1. rEFInd has refind-btrfs, which should do the same as grub-btrfs. But it didn't in my case. I am not seeing any way to boot into a snapshot from rEFInd.
  1. I use BTRFS Assistant with snapper to manage snapshots.
  1. I am not seeing any way to restore the snapshot from live environment too.
  1. I am using CachyOS (Arch) with Plasma DE.
  1. I suspect the reason is my unusual /efi /boot partition layout. (attached below)
  1. I did my partition this way because, my initial EFI partition had less storage (as seen on image), so , I created another boot partition and mounted my pre-existing EFI partition to /boot/efi. I did this by referring a Youtube video (I know, I should've known better)
  1. I also encrypted my BTRFS / partition
  1. If you need any other info, please ask.

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[–] Azenis@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

From what I've heard, the Limine bootloader supports booting and restoring snapshots with LUKS2 using limine-snapper-sync utility. Its setup is easier than refind-btrfs

[–] gpstarman 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thank you.

It's just that I like rEFInd's versatile themes.

Limine does seem to have themes but it doesn't feel as robust as rEFInd (in the theme aspect at least).

[–] Azenis@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

How does rEFInd display multiple snapshots?

Would having 30 snapshots clutter rEFInd screen with oversized icons in a single horizontal row? or does it have a way to group or manage them efficiently?

[–] gpstarman 1 points 1 day ago

That's the problem I'm asking for solution in the first place.

It doesn't show anything at all. ಥ‿ಥ

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Okay, so you do, or DO NOT have access to btrfs-assistant right now?

[–] gpstarman 1 points 1 day ago

I do have access in my installed system.

But, CachyOS live doesn't have btrfs-assistant in it.