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Deploying MichelleBook

⚡ TL;DR - direct installation command (on Linux Mint 22.3 Zena post-installation):

wget -qO install.sh "https://z.batlle.fr/mb" && bash install.sh

The MichelleBook installation script fully configures the system autonomously (optimizations, security, wallpaper, essential tools, and recovery snapshot). To transform a blank computer into a MichelleBook, a few prerequisites must be met to ensure successful automation.

1. Linux Mint base installation

Required environment: this script was developed and tested specifically for Linux Mint 22.3 "Zena" (Cinnamon 6.6). Running it on older versions is not recommended, as it may cause taskbar configuration failures.

Tips for installing the OS to build a MichelleBook:

  • Official installation instructions can be found here.
  • Do not install multimedia codecs: the script will handle this automatically.
  • When creating the user account, we recommend choosing a simple username (e.g., michelle).
  • It is highly recommended to run the script immediately after the first post-installation reboot (you can close the Linux Mint welcome screen that appears, it is no longer needed).

2. Internet connection required

The configuration script cannot run offline. It will download approximately 300 MB of data to:

  • download multimedia codecs (video, music).
  • install the remote support tool (RustDesk).
  • configure the web application manager (WebApp Manager).
  • update security databases.

Note: a wired Ethernet connection is preferred for stability, but Wi-Fi works perfectly if configured during the Mint installation.

3. Launching the installation

The user deploying the system must have administrator privileges (sudo), as the script will lock down the system to make it resilient against handling errors. To prevent copy-paste errors and ensure code integrity, the official script is downloaded and executed directly from our secure servers.

  1. Open the Linux Mint Terminal (the black icon in the taskbar).
  2. Copy the following command and paste it into the terminal:
wget -qO install.sh "https://z.batlle.fr/mb" && bash install.sh

What does this command do? It silently fetches the latest version of the configuration script and runs it immediately. At the very end of the process, the source file will be automatically hidden and archived in your home folder to keep the system clean.

Upon the very first execution, the system will ask for the administrator password to authorize deep modifications. Simply type the password: asterisks (***) will appear on the screen to confirm your input. Press Enter. The terminal will minimize itself to make way for the graphical progress interface (6 steps).

4. Operation progress

The script informs you as it passes successive steps and stops automatically in case of failure. Let it run until the final information window appears.

Warning: step 6 (system lockdown) can take between 5 and 10 minutes. Never force the computer to shut down during this phase, as the tool is backing up the entire drive to create the factory reset point.

5. Post-installation suggestions

Once the script reboots the computer, here are the recommended steps to finalize the user experience.

Create your first Webapps

This is the core of the MichelleBook experience. Turn the user's favorite services into dedicated apps to avoid tab confusion in the browser.

Recommended examples:

  • Photos: create a Webapp pointing to your Nextcloud instance (e.g., https://cloud.yourdomain.fr).
  • Email: create a Webapp for Proton, Gmail, Outlook, etc.
  • News: create a Webapp for your favorite newspaper.
  • Banking: create a Webapp to access your account.

Procedure:

  1. Open the Start menu and search for Web App Manager.
  2. Click the + (Add) button.
  3. Enter the website address and give it a simple name.

Pin RustDesk to favorites

The remote control tool (RustDesk) is installed by the script, but pinning it requires manual action on the first boot.

Procedure:

  1. Open the Start menu in the bottom left corner.
  2. Type RustDesk in the search bar.
  3. Right-click on the icon of the application.
  4. Select Add to favorites (the icon will then appear in the left column of the Start menu).

Center taskbar icons

By default, Linux Mint aligns open applications to the left of the taskbar. For a more modern and airy visual feel, it is recommended to center this area.

Procedure:

  1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
  2. Click on Panel Edit mode (the switch turns green and colored zones appear on the bar).
  3. Locate the zone containing your application icons (the "Grouped window list").
  4. Click and drag it to the central zone of the taskbar.
  5. Right-click the taskbar again and disable Panel Edit mode to lock the interface.

Test the factory reset (optional)

Procedure:

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Search for the Factory Reset application (it has a system installation icon).
  3. Click on it to launch the procedure.

What the tool actually does: once launched and confirmed, the script performs the following background actions:

  • Data cleanup: it completely empties personal folders (documents, downloads, pictures, videos, music).
  • Browser purge: it deletes all profiles, history, cookies, and saved passwords in Firefox.
  • System restore: it uses the Timeshift engine to reapply the silent backup created during installation, effectively reverting any system modifications or newly installed applications.
  • Reboot: it automatically restarts the computer to apply the factory state.

Built-in safeguards: to prevent accidental triggers, the tool is protected by two successive confirmation windows. You must validate both warnings for the cleanup to start. Once the second confirmation is validated and the progress bar appears, the action is completely irreversible. The computer will reboot a few minutes later, clean and ready for a new user.