Build and run a bootable container image with image mode for RHEL and Podman Desktop

Learning path | 3 resources | 25 mins | Published on May 19, 2025
Tiffany Nolan Ben Breard Valentin Rothberg

Learn how to locally build and run a bootable container (bootc) image in Podman Desktop.

Get the RHEL bootc base image

  1. Overview: Build and run a bootable container image with image mode for RHEL and Podman Desktop
  2. Access the Red Hat Container Registry Page | 5 mins
  3. Build and run a disk image in Podman Desktop Page | 20 mins

Overview: Build and run a bootable container image with image mode for RHEL and Podman Desktop

Bootable-Container-images-LP-feature-image

Image mode for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a new deployment method that uses a container-native approach to build, deploy, and manage the operating system as a bootable container. 

Users building applications and containers in Podman Desktop can leverage the Red Hat extensions to quickly convert bootable containers into bootable cloud images or bare metal installers.

Users can leverage image mode to encapsulate runtimes, drivers, dependencies, and applications, as well as bridge gaps between the operation teams and the application development cycle.

This learning path guides you through building and running bootable container images using image mode for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) within Podman Desktop. You will learn how to install the Red Hat Single Sign-On (SSO) extension, access the Red Hat Container Registry, and then build and run a disk image from a sample Containerfile, ultimately enabling you to deploy and manage RHEL operating systems using a container-native approach.

Prerequisites:

  • A no-cost Red Hat Developer subscription.
  • Podman Desktop.
    • You can download Podman Desktop for Windows, MacOS, or Linux.

In this learning path, you will:

  • Access the Red Hat Container Registry.
  • Build an image from a sample Containerfile.
  • Build and run a disk image in Podman Desktop.