How do I install the Wsl2 Multiple Distros skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add loopyluci/wsl2-multiple-distros in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

What does the Wsl2 Multiple Distros skill do?

Use when managing multiple WSL2 distributions. It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.

Is Wsl2 Multiple Distros safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Independent scanners report: SkillSpector: PASS, Skill Scanner: PASS. Capability flags: docs only. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Wsl2 Multiple Distros?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Wsl2 Multiple Distros free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Wsl2 Multiple Distros?

LoopyLuci (@loopyluci) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Wsl2 Multiple Distros by loopyluci — Agent Skill

Name: Wsl2 Multiple Distros
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Author: LoopyLuci

File contents

WSL2 Multiple Distributions

Managing multiple WSL2 distributions effectively.

Install Multiple Distros

# Via Microsoft Store (manual)
# Or via command line:
wsl --install -d Ubuntu
wsl --install -d Debian
wsl --install -d kali-linux
wsl --install -d Alpine

# Via direct import
wsl --import Ubuntu-22.04 "C:\WSL\Ubuntu-22.04" ubuntu-22.04.tar --version 2

Set Default Distro

wsl --set-default Ubuntu-Dev
wsl --list --verbose
# Default is marked with *

Run Commands on Specific Distro

wsl -d Ubuntu-Dev -- docker ps
wsl -d Debian -- apt-get update
wsl -d Alpine -- apk add python3

Distro-Specific Config

# %USERPROFILE%\.wslconfig applies to ALL distros
# Per-distro config in /etc/wsl.conf inside each distro

# Example: Different memory for different distros
# .wslconfig only has global settings
# For per-distro limits, consider resource-constrained wsl.conf

Moving Distro Install Location

# Export and re-import to new location
wsl --export Ubuntu-Dev "C:\backup\ubuntu-dev.tar"
wsl --unregister Ubuntu-Dev
wsl --import Ubuntu-Dev "D:\WSL\Ubuntu-Dev" "C:\backup\ubuntu-dev.tar" --version 2
Remove-Item "C:\backup\ubuntu-dev.tar"

Cloning a Distro

# Export source
wsl --export Ubuntu-Source "$env:TEMP\clone.tar"

# Import as new
wsl --import Ubuntu-Clone "C:\WSL\Ubuntu-Clone" "$env:TEMP\clone.tar" --version 2
wsl -d Ubuntu-Clone -- ls

# Customize clone
wsl -d Ubuntu-Clone
sudo hostnamectl set-hostname clone-machine

Pitfalls

All distros share the same .wslconfig settings
Each distro has its own VHDX file for its filesystem
Distro names are case-sensitive in wsl commands
Unregistering a distro irreversibly deletes its data
Docker Desktop uses its own internal distros (docker-desktop, docker-desktop-data)

---name: wsl2-multiple-distrosdescription: Use when managing multiple WSL2 distributions.---# WSL2 Multiple DistributionsManaging multiple WSL2 distributions effectively.## Install Multiple Distros```powershell# Via Microsoft Store (manual)# Or via command line:wsl --install -d Ubuntuwsl --install -d Debianwsl --install -d kali-linuxwsl --install -d Alpine# Via direct importwsl --import Ubuntu-22.04 "C:\WSL\Ubuntu-22.04" ubuntu-22.04.tar --version 2```## Set Default Distro```powershellwsl --set-default Ubuntu-Devwsl --list --verbose# Default is marked with *```## Run Commands on Specific Distro```powershellwsl -d Ubuntu-Dev -- docker pswsl -d Debian -- apt-get updatewsl -d Alpine -- apk add python3```## Distro-Specific Config```ini# %USERPROFILE%\.wslconfig applies to ALL distros# Per-distro config in /etc/wsl.conf inside each distro# Example: Different memory for different distros# .wslconfig only has global settings# For per-distro limits, consider resource-constrained wsl.conf```## Moving Distro Install Location```powershell# Export and re-import to new locationwsl --export Ubuntu-Dev "C:\backup\ubuntu-dev.tar"wsl --unregister Ubuntu-Devwsl --import Ubuntu-Dev "D:\WSL\Ubuntu-Dev" "C:\backup\ubuntu-dev.tar" --version 2Remove-Item "C:\backup\ubuntu-dev.tar"```## Cloning a Distro```powershell# Export sourcewsl --export Ubuntu-Source "$env:TEMP\clone.tar"# Import as newwsl --import Ubuntu-Clone "C:\WSL\Ubuntu-Clone" "$env:TEMP\clone.tar" --version 2wsl -d Ubuntu-Clone -- ls# Customize clonewsl -d Ubuntu-Clonesudo hostnamectl set-hostname clone-machine```## Pitfalls- All distros share the same .wslconfig settings- Each distro has its own VHDX file for its filesystem- Distro names are case-sensitive in wsl commands- Unregistering a distro irreversibly deletes its data- Docker Desktop uses its own internal distros (docker-desktop, docker-desktop-data)

Frequently asked questions

Wsl2 Multiple Distros