zypper - bootstrap: install into given directory
Feature state
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Description
Currently, one needs a bit of rpm[1] to initialize a minimal base system[2]. It would be cool if one could just use zypper to calculate all the dependencies. Like:
zypper --root /tmp/test install rpm zypper
Afterwards, the zypper inside the new chroot can be used to install further packages as desired.
[1] http://jengelh.medozas.de/files/bootstrap-11.1-i586.sh
[2] perhaps not even functional for a standalone boot, but that's not the point
Testcase
- zypper --root /xen/os11.0 --plus-repo [anyURL] install zypper
- or you add the repo to the alternative root permanently zypper: --root /xen/os11.0 ar [anyURL] myrepo
$ zypper --root /xen/os11.0 [anycommand] ...
Discussion

Doesn't this work already? KIWI is using zypper to do exactly this since ages. Jan, where is the problem? What needs to be done?

Hmm, we may want to set up a chroot environment for any other/elder Opensuse distro as well. Shouldn`t it be possible to temporarily add another repo/install media for this purpose? (i.e. this is what debbootstrap can.)
zypper --root /xen/os11.0 --source /media/dvd rpm zypper

What makes you think that zypper can't do this?
$ zypper --root /xen/os11.0 --plus-repo <anyURL> install zypper
or you add the repo to the alternative root permanently
$ zypper --root /xen/os11.0 ar <anyURL> myrepo
$ zypper --root /xen/os11.0 <anycommand> ...
also, a bit OT, but nevertheless - please familiarize yourselves with this command :O)
$ zypper [help [command]]

Ok, so this is already done.

How i can test this future?