See: https://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-1164703.html If I only use nouveau with my nvidia gpu and remove the proprietary drivers, the kernel and other things possibly needed by the kernel are slated for removal. I got no replies about this on the forum, so I decided to open the bug. Shouldn't the kernel be part of the system set? I don't see how someone might use gentoo without the kernel. All selected packages: =app-alternatives/cpio-0 =virtual/libelf-3-r1 =x11-apps/xrandr-1.5.2 =acct-group/video-0-r2 =sec-keys/openpgp-keys-elfutils-20220427 =virtual/linux-sources-3-r6 =dev-libs/elfutils-0.189-r3 =app-arch/cpio-2.14 =sys-kernel/gentoo-sources-6.4.3 =sys-kernel/gentoo-sources-6.4.10
Prefix, chroots, or containers for a start. You have to put a kernel in your world file.
What kernel you use is your business, it may not be from Portage at all. All that Portage does is provide various kernel sources, as you have noticed compiling and installing is up to you as well. There is a virtual/linux-sources to serve the few packages that rely on them being present.
