Automatically generating volume images and launching virtual computing instances

One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause:

• using a first server computer, executing a process that is configured to generate virtual computer instances;
• receiving a request to generate a first custom virtual computer instance, wherein the request identifies one or more software packages to install on the first custom virtual computer instance;
• copying a first pre-configured volume image onto a volume of a data storage device, wherein the volume includes one or more base software packages in a file system;
• mounting the volume to the first server computer, in response to receiving the request;
• determining a particular operating system is installed on the volume;
• selecting, from a plurality of plugins, a particular plugin associated with the particular operating system, wherein each plugin is associated with an operating system of a plurality of operating systems;
• causing the particular plugin, in accordance with the particular operating system, to:
• change a first root directory on the first server computer to a second root directory on the volume;
• and
• install each of the one or more software packages on the volume relative to the second root directory on the volume;
• unmounting the volume;
• creating a snapshot of the volume;
• registering the snapshot as a registered custom volume image.

A system comprising a first server computer with a memory, a processor, a process for generating virtual computer instances, wherein the process is executed by the processor and configured to:

• receive a request to generate a first custom virtual computer instance, wherein the request identifies one or more software packages to install on the first custom virtual computer instance;
• copy a first pre-configured volume image onto a volume of a data storage device, wherein the volume includes one or more base software packages in a file system;
• mount the volume to the first server computer, in response to receiving the request;
• determine a particular operating system is installed on the volume;
• select, from a plurality of plugins, a particular plugin associated with the particular operating system, wherein each plugin is associated with an operating system of a plurality of operating systems;
• cause the particular plugin, in accordance with the particular operating system, to:
• change a first root directory on the first server computer to a second root directory on the volume;
• and
• install each of the one or more software packages on the volume relative to the second root directory on the volume;
• unmount the volume;
• create a snapshot of the volume;
• register the snapshot as a registered custom volume image.