Inplace template upgrade

corporateblush · April 4, 2026, 12:44pm

Is there a way to do it from dom0 GUi, for example like “Update” option in a template’s context menu in Qube Manager?

If not, do you find it interesting as a new feature, instead doing it manually?

parulin · April 4, 2026, 1:50pm

No
Yes, see: Automate template version upgrade and

github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues

[Contribution] qvm-upgrade-template (easy in-place upgrades for Debian and Fedora templates)

opened 01:24PM - 13 Oct 23 UTC

kennethrrosen

P: default community dev S: needs review C: updates C: contrib package

[How to file a helpful issue](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/issue-tracking/) #…## The problem you're addressing (if any) Per official documentation, it is recommended that users download latest templates through `qvm-template` before "[switching](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/templates/fedora/#upgrading)" everything from a pre-existing template to the newer template. `qvm-prefs` allows for a somewhat seamless transition of [preferences](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/templates/#switching). But inheritance and persistence is a bit more [complicated](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/templates/#inheritance-and-persistence) for the non-technical user. This makes upgrading-in-place a very attractive option for new and experienced users alike. [Fedrora documentation](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/templates/fedora/in-place-upgrade/) and [Debian documentation](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/templates/debian/in-place-upgrade/) suggest this process is for the "advanced" user. This should not be the case. ### The solution you'd like Include as a qubes command the option to "upgrade-in-place" a template, perhaps `qvm-upgrade-debian` and `qvm-upgrade-fedora`. I've provided basic Bash scripts for doing so, with an option for upgrading multiple templates of the same distro at once: [For Fedora-based templates.](https://github.com/kennethrrosen/qubes-fedora-upgrader) [For Debian-based templates.](https://github.com/kennethrrosen/qubes-debian-upgrader/tree/main) At present, both scripts were tested successfully for upgrading Fedora-37 to Fedora-38 and Debian-11 to Debian-12. These scripts might also benefit from `qvm-clone` commands to create .bak templates and a help/usage function. ### The value to a user, and who that user might be Such scripts would lower the barrier-to-entry for non-technical users interested in adopting Qubes. Furthermore, it would lower the amount of time spent on upgrading individual templates a user may have created based on the defaults, becoming a value-add. It would also limit bandwidth on current Qubes documentation.

kenosen · April 4, 2026, 8:13pm

Was really hoping for this three years ago. Hoped that GSoC would have spurred action, too.

corporateblush · April 5, 2026, 10:45am

While it is undeniable that downloading a new template is more secure than upgrading inplace the existing one, in cases where the one compartmentalizes and customizes Qubes OS heavily, having dozens and dozens of templates, doing it all over again becomes a burden In addition, probably only few of us are interested in too…