"Build a basic image" docs do not work on the `latest/beta` snap channel
Metadata
Current evaluation
The basic image build documentation fails on the latest/beta channel due to an imagecraft overlay partition error, and the report remains stalled with no comments after 177 days.
Suggested action: needs triage
Reason: The issue is well-structured with clear reproduction steps and error output, but has received no maintainer response or assessment. It requires triage to determine if it reflects a documentation mismatch, a tool regression, or if the reported snap channel is no longer supported.
Staleness:
62
Complexity:
20
Support Request:
5
Issue body
### Check existing issues
- [x] I've verified that this request isn't described by any existing issues.
### Request
<!-- Describe your request and the problem it solves. Include any relevant context, screenshots, or examples. -->
# Issue
When following the [Build a basic image](https://canonical-imagecraft.readthedocs-hosted.com/latest/how-to-guides/basic_image/) documentation on the `latest/beta` snap channel, the `imagecraft pack` process fails:
```
$ snap info imagecraft
name: imagecraft
summary: Build Ubuntu images
publisher: Paul Mars (upils)
store-url: https://snapcraft.io/imagecraft
contact: snaps@canonical.com
license: GPL-3.0
description: |
Imagecraft is a craft tool used to create Ubuntu bootable images. It follows the same principles
as snapcraft, but is focused on creating bootable images instead.
The tool requires **elevate permissions**. Please be sure to run it as _root_ or with _sudo_.
commands:
- imagecraft
snap-id: SCHUI0lcU1weoczGYWwYaPSbHwR6zkRX
tracking: latest/beta
refresh-date: today at 11:46 MST
channels:
latest/stable: –
latest/candidate: –
latest/beta: 0.0.post724+g1a2a90f 2025-08-12 (128) 46MB classic
latest/edge: 0.0.post742+gfca4992c8 2025-10-07 (200) 51MB classic
installed: 0.0.post724+g1a2a90f (128) 46MB classic
$ sudo snap set imagecraft provider=multipass
$ imagecraft pack
Invalid usage of partitions
Detailed information:
parts.rootfs.organize
unknown partition 'overlay' in '(overlay)/'
Valid partitions: volume/pc/rootfs, volume/pc/efi
Recommended resolution: Correct the invalid partition name(s) and try again.
Failed to run imagecraft in instance
```
The documentation [specifies](https://github.com/canonical/imagecraft/issues) installing the `latest/beta` channel via:
```
sudo snap install imagecraft --channel=beta --classic
```
The `imagecraft.yaml` file appears to be using functionality that is only available on the `latest/edge` channel. When I switch to the `latest/edge` channel, the pack process completes as expected and the `pc.img` artifact is produced.
# Resolution
Either:
a) Change the install instructions to specify the `latest/edge` channel
b) Provide a working `imagecraft.yaml` file for each supported channel
I'm happy to make a PR for either, but would require guidance for option b) on what that `imagecraft.yaml` file would look like.
### Document location
https://canonical-imagecraft.readthedocs-hosted.com/latest/how-to-guides/basic_image/
Evaluation history
| Date | Model | Scores | Action | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-01 12:32:09.996478+00:00 | qwen3.6-35b-moe-q4 |
Staleness:
62
Complexity:
20
Support Request:
5
|
needs triage | The basic image build documentation fails on the latest/beta channel due to an imagecraft overlay partition error, and the report remains stalled with no comments after 177 days. |
| 2026-06-01 12:28:14.449225+00:00 | pending | — | — | — |