"dnf --transient install PACKAGE" can install packages on a bootc system. "dnf --transient install PACKAGE" fails on non-bootc system. Setting "persistence=transient" DNF configuration option has the same effect as passing a "--transient" dnf option. Changes under /usr made by dnf --transient should NOT persist across reboots, changes under /etc, /var, other directories should persist. /usr should remain read-only to other processes. persistence=transient should error when using an installroot other than / or using --downloadonly.

.RHEL Image Mode users can now use `dnf --transient` to perform package transactions that reset on reboot Previously, RHEL Image Mode users could transiently install, remove, and upgrade packages by running the `bootc usr-overlay` command to unlock the system and then make changes by running DNF commands. If you use `bootc usr-overlay`, when the system reboots, the `/usr` directory overlay disappears and all changes made to it will reset. Changes to other directories, including configuration in `/etc` and program state in `/var`, persist across reboots. With this update, a new `--transient` flag and a new `persistence` configuration option have been added to DNF to improve the user experience on bootc systems. You can now skip the `bootc usr-overlay` step by using either of the following options: * Use the `dnf --transient` command. * Set the `persistence` option to `transient` in the `dnf.conf` file. NOTE: Unlike when using `bootc usr-overlay`, `--transient` and `persistence=transient` ensure that the `/usr` directory remains read-only to other processes before, during, and after the transaction. For example, to transiently install the `make` package, enter: ---- # dnf install --transient make ----