In this project, we’re installing Kali Linux on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, powered by a PiSugar 3 battery, creating a compact and portable wireless testing device.
🎥 Watch the Video Tutorial
💡 Why we’re doing this
If you’re looking to build a portable, power‑efficient home lab or pentest rig, combining a Raspberry Pi with small‑form‑battery backup is a fantastic option. In this tutorial you’ll learn how to run Kali Linux on a Raspberry Pi (including Zero models) powered by the PiSugar 3 battery add‑on. Whether you’re testing networks, doing hardware hacking, or building a mobile lab, this setup gives you freedom and flexibility.
What you’ll need
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A Raspberry Pi — I recommend grabbing one from the official site: raspberrypi.com
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Kali Linux — download it from the official site: kali.org
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PiSugar 3 power supply / battery pack, tailored for Raspberry Pi Zero and similar models: pisugar/products/pisugar‑3‑raspberry‑pi‑zero‑battery
Step‑by‑Step Setup
1. Download Kali Linux & prepare your SD card
Head to the official Kali Linux website and grab the image appropriate for your Raspberry Pi model. Flash the image onto your microSD card using a tool like Raspberry Pi Imager.
2. Setup Raspberry Pi hardware
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Insert the flashed microSD card into your Raspberry Pi.
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Connect the PiSugar 3 battery pack to your Pi (for Pi Zero, Pi Zero W, etc) and ensure it’s configured correctly (charging behaviour, auto power‑on, etc).
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Plug in any peripherals you need (keyboard, mouse, display or SSH from network).
3. Boot Kali Linux for the first time
Power on your Pi. On first boot you may want to:
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Allow enough time for the system to initialize.
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SSH kali@<ipaddress>
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Update the system:
sudo apt update -
Install wifite and dependencies:
sudo apt install -y wifite hcxtools hcxdumptool
4. Optimising for mobile/home‑lab use
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Make sure the PiSugar 3 battery is properly configured so you can unplug from mains and keep running. Over time you’ll tweak voltage, shutdown scripts, etc.
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(Optional) If you’re adding external USB devices (WiFi adapters, SDRs, etc) check power draw and ensure your battery supply is up to the task.
5. Run your tests / projects
Once your Kali Linux Raspberry Pi is stable and battery‑backed, you’re ready to dive into whatever you planned: wireless auditing, honeypots, portable lab demos, discrete authorized hardware hacking, etc.
✅ Conclusion
With this setup you now have a lightweight, battery‑powered Kali Linux system built on a Raspberry Pi. That means flexibility: take it with you, deploy it anywhere, use it for demos or field experimentation. Big thanks for following along — if you found this tutorial helpful, please like, share and subscribe for future projects.📺 Watch the full video guide here: https://youtu.be/fF3MEd0-Uqw
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