.nh
.TH "apptainer" "1" "Jul 2026" "Auto generated by spf13/cobra" ""

.SH NAME
apptainer-overlay-create - Create EXT3 writable overlay image


.SH SYNOPSIS
\fBapptainer overlay create  image\fP


.SH DESCRIPTION
The overlay create command allows creating EXT3 writable overlay image either
  as a single EXT3 image or by adding it automatically to an existing SIF image.


.SH OPTIONS
\fB--create-dir\fP=[]
	directory to create as part of the overlay layout

.PP
\fB-f\fP, \fB--fakeroot\fP[=false]
	make overlay layout usable by actions run with --fakeroot

.PP
\fB-h\fP, \fB--help\fP[=false]
	help for create

.PP
\fB-s\fP, \fB--size\fP=64
	size of the EXT3 writable overlay in MiB

.PP
\fB-S\fP, \fB--sparse\fP[=false]
	create a sparse overlay


.SH EXAMPLE
.EX

  To create and add a writable overlay to an existing SIF image:
  $ apptainer overlay create --size 1024 /tmp/image.sif

  To create a single EXT3 writable overlay image:
  $ apptainer overlay create --size 1024 /tmp/my_overlay.img

  To create a sparse overlay when creating a new ext3 file system image:
  $ apptainer overlay create --size 1024 --sparse /tmp/ext3_overlay.img

  To create an EXT3 writable overlay image for use with --fakeroot actions:
  $ apptainer overlay create --fakeroot --size 1024 /tmp/my_overlay.img
.EE


.SH SEE ALSO
\fBapptainer-overlay(1)\fP


.SH HISTORY
30-Jul-2026 Auto generated by spf13/cobra