⚠️ WARNING: This tool creates a new partition table and will destroy all existing data on the target disk. Always verify you're targeting the correct disk and have backups of important data.
disk-slice.sh is a safe automation tool to partition a new disk, create filesystems, and generate /etc/fstab lines for mounting.
Typical use case: You add a new data disk to a VM and want to quickly carve it up into multiple partitions with filesystems and ready-to-use mountpoints.
- Install dependencies (see Installation)
- Preview your plan with dry-run:
sudo ./disk-slice.sh --disk /dev/sdb --count 3 --fstype ext4 --dry-run
- Execute when satisfied:
sudo ./disk-slice.sh --disk /dev/sdb --count 3 --fstype ext4 --create-mounts
flowchart TD
A["Raw Disk /dev/sdb<br/>(1TB)"] --> B["Run disk-slice.sh<br/>--count 3 --fstype ext4"]
B --> C["Partitioned Disk"]
C --> D["/dev/sdb1<br/>333GB ext4<br/>label: data1"]
C --> E["/dev/sdb2<br/>333GB ext4<br/>label: data2"]
C --> F["/dev/sdb3<br/>334GB ext4<br/>label: data3"]
D --> G["/mnt/data1"]
E --> H["/mnt/data2"]
F --> I["/mnt/data3"]
flowchart TD
A["Raw Disk /dev/sdb<br/>(1TB)"] --> B["Run disk-slice.sh<br/>--layout 60%,30%,10%<br/>--fstypes xfs,ext4,btrfs"]
B --> C["Partitioned Disk"]
C --> D["/dev/sdb1<br/>600GB xfs<br/>label: data1"]
C --> E["/dev/sdb2<br/>300GB ext4<br/>label: data2"]
C --> F["/dev/sdb3<br/>100GB btrfs<br/>label: data3"]
D --> G["/mnt/data1<br/>(main storage)"]
E --> H["/mnt/data2<br/>(databases)"]
F --> I["/mnt/data3<br/>(logs)"]
- Flexible Partitioning:
- N equal-size partitions:
--count 3 - Custom percentage layout:
--layout 50%,30%,20%
- N equal-size partitions:
- Multi-Filesystem Support:
- Same FS type for all:
--fstype ext4 - Different FS per partition:
--fstypes ext4,xfs,btrfs
- Same FS type for all:
- Modern GPT Partitioning:
- Creates fresh GPT label with proper alignment
- Automatic filesystem labels (
data1,data2, ...)
- fstab Integration:
- Generates UUID-based fstab entries
- Written as commented file:
/root/fstab.new.<disk>.txt - Review before adding to
/etc/fstab
- Convenience Options:
--create-mounts: Create mountpoint directories--mount-now: Mount filesystems immediately
- Safety Features:
- Refuses to operate on disks in use
- Interactive confirmation (unless
--yes) - Dry-run mode to preview operations
- Comprehensive validation checks
sudo dnf install -y gdisk util-linux e2fsprogs xfsprogs btrfs-progs partedsudo apt update
sudo apt install -y gdisk util-linux e2fsprogs xfsprogs btrfs-progs partedwget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/your-repo/disk-slice/main/disk-slice.sh
chmod +x disk-slice.shUse case: General file storage with equal space allocation
# Preview the plan
sudo ./disk-slice.sh --disk /dev/sdb --count 3 --fstype ext4 --dry-run
# Execute
sudo ./disk-slice.sh --disk /dev/sdb --count 3 --fstype ext4 --create-mounts --mount-nowResult: Three equal ext4 partitions mounted at /mnt/data1, /mnt/data2, /mnt/data3
Use case: Large data partition + smaller logs/temp partitions
sudo ./disk-slice.sh --disk /dev/sdb --layout 70%,20%,10% \
--fstypes xfs,ext4,ext4 \
--mount-base /srv/mysql \
--create-mounts --mount-nowResult:
/srv/mysql1(70%, xfs): Main database files/srv/mysql2(20%, ext4): Transaction logs/srv/mysql3(10%, ext4): Temporary files
Use case: Code, builds, and cache storage
sudo ./disk-slice.sh --disk /dev/nvme1n1 --layout 50%,30%,20% \
--fstypes btrfs,ext4,xfs \
--mount-base /opt/dev \
--create-mountsResult:
/opt/dev1(50%, btrfs): Source code with snapshots/opt/dev2(30%, ext4): Build artifacts/opt/dev3(20%, xfs): Cache and temporary files
Use case: Large media storage + metadata
sudo ./disk-slice.sh --disk /dev/sdc --layout 90%,10% \
--fstypes xfs,ext4 \
--label-prefix media \
--mount-base /srv/media \
--mount-nowResult:
/srv/media1(90%, xfs): Video/photo files/srv/media2(10%, ext4): Metadata and thumbnails
Use case: Multiple backup destinations
sudo ./disk-slice.sh --disk /dev/sdd --count 4 --fstype btrfs \
--label-prefix backup \
--mount-base /backup \
--create-mountsResult: Four equal btrfs partitions for different backup types
Use case: Docker/Podman with separate overlay and volume storage
sudo ./disk-slice.sh --disk /dev/sde --layout 60%,40% \
--fstypes overlay2,xfs \
--mount-base /var/lib/containers \
--create-mounts--disk /dev/SDX: Target disk device (e.g.,/dev/sdb,/dev/nvme1n1)- One of:
--count N: Number of equal-size partitions--layout A%,B%,C%: Comma-separated percentages (must sum to 100)
- Filesystem choice:
--fstype TYPE: Single filesystem type for all partitions--fstypes TYPE1,TYPE2,TYPE3: Per-partition filesystem types
--label-prefix NAME: Filesystem label prefix (default:data)--mount-base PATH: Base directory for mountpoints (default:/mnt/data)--create-mounts: Create mountpoint directories--mount-now: Mount filesystems immediately (implies--create-mounts)--use-parted: Usepartedinstead ofsgdisk--align-mib N: Partition alignment in MiB (default: 1)-y, --yes: Skip confirmation prompt-n, --dry-run: Preview operations without making changes-v, --verbose: Enable verbose logging-h, --help: Show help message
- Verify target disk: Use
lsblkto confirm disk device name - Check for existing data: Ensure the disk contains no important data
- Backup critical data: Always have backups before partitioning
- Test with dry-run: Always preview with
--dry-runfirst - Confirm disk size: Verify the disk is the expected size
# List all disks
lsblk
# Show detailed disk information
sudo fdisk -l
# Check if disk is in use
sudo findmnt | grep /dev/sdbThe script includes multiple safety checks:
- Refuses to operate on mounted disks
- Validates disk is a whole disk device
- Checks for existing filesystem signatures
- Detects LVM physical volumes
- Requires interactive confirmation
- Supports dry-run mode for preview
Error: "disk is not a whole disk"
- Ensure you're targeting a whole disk (
/dev/sdb) not a partition (/dev/sdb1) - Use
lsblkto verify disk type
Error: "disk appears to be mounted"
- Unmount any mounted partitions:
sudo umount /dev/sdb* - Check for swap usage:
sudo swapoff /dev/sdb*
Error: "has existing signatures"
- The disk has existing filesystems or partition tables
- Use
sudo wipefs -a /dev/sdbto clear (DESTRUCTIVE)
Permission denied errors
- Script requires root privileges
- Run with
sudoor as root user
Partition creation fails
- Check disk health:
sudo smartctl -a /dev/sdb - Verify sufficient disk space for requested layout
- Try different alignment:
--align-mib 2
# Show all available options
./disk-slice.sh --help
# Preview operations without changes
sudo ./disk-slice.sh --disk /dev/sdb --count 3 --fstype ext4 --dry-run --verboseQ: When should I use this tool vs other partitioning tools?
A: Use disk-slice.sh when you need to quickly partition a new disk with filesystems and mountpoints. Use fdisk/parted for more complex partitioning needs or when working with existing partition tables.
Q: Can I use this on an existing disk with data? A: No. This tool creates a fresh GPT partition table, destroying all existing data. It's designed for new, empty disks only.
Q: What filesystem types are supported?
A: Currently supports ext4, ext3, xfs, and btrfs. The script checks for required tools before proceeding.
Q: Can I modify partitions after creation?
A: The script doesn't support modifying existing partitions. You'd need to use other tools like parted, resize2fs, etc.
Q: Is it safe to interrupt the script? A: If interrupted during partition creation or formatting, you may have a partially configured disk. Use dry-run mode to preview operations first.
Q: How do I add the fstab entries?
A: Review the generated file at /root/fstab.new.<disk>.txt, then uncomment and append entries to /etc/fstab manually.
- Test with various disk sizes and partition counts
- Verify on different Linux distributions
- Test both equal-size and percentage layouts
- Always use virtual machines for testing
When reporting issues, include:
- Linux distribution and version
- Disk type and size
- Complete command used
- Error messages
- Output of
lsblkandsudo fdisk -l
License: MIT | Author: Hamkee | Version: 1.0.0