diff --git a/internal/api/types.go b/internal/api/types.go
index 8a043be..d73fac8 100644
--- a/internal/api/types.go
+++ b/internal/api/types.go
@@ -300,6 +300,13 @@ type KernelShowResult struct {
 	Entry KernelEntry `json:"entry"`
 }
 
+type KernelImportParams struct {
+	Name    string `json:"name"`
+	FromDir string `json:"from_dir"`
+	Distro  string `json:"distro,omitempty"`
+	Arch    string `json:"arch,omitempty"`
+}
+
 type SudoStatus struct {
 	Available bool   `json:"available"`
 	Command   string `json:"command,omitempty"`
diff --git a/internal/cli/banger.go b/internal/cli/banger.go
index e37a5d5..678772a 100644
--- a/internal/cli/banger.go
+++ b/internal/cli/banger.go
@@ -1599,10 +1599,45 @@ func newKernelCommand() *cobra.Command {
 		newKernelListCommand(),
 		newKernelShowCommand(),
 		newKernelRmCommand(),
+		newKernelImportCommand(),
 	)
 	return cmd
 }
 
+func newKernelImportCommand() *cobra.Command {
+	var params api.KernelImportParams
+	cmd := &cobra.Command{
+		Use:   "import <name>",
+		Short: "Import a kernel bundle produced by scripts/make-*-kernel.sh",
+		Long:  "Copy the kernel, optional initrd, and optional modules directory from <from> into the local kernel catalog keyed by <name>. <from> is usually build/manual/void-kernel or build/manual/alpine-kernel.",
+		Args:  exactArgsUsage(1, "usage: banger kernel import <name> --from <dir>"),
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+			params.Name = args[0]
+			if strings.TrimSpace(params.FromDir) == "" {
+				return errors.New("--from <dir> is required")
+			}
+			abs, err := filepath.Abs(params.FromDir)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			params.FromDir = abs
+			layout, _, err := ensureDaemon(cmd.Context())
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			result, err := rpc.Call[api.KernelShowResult](cmd.Context(), layout.SocketPath, "kernel.import", params)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			return printJSON(cmd.OutOrStdout(), result.Entry)
+		},
+	}
+	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&params.FromDir, "from", "", "directory produced by make-*-kernel.sh (e.g. build/manual/void-kernel)")
+	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&params.Distro, "distro", "", "distribution label stored in the manifest (e.g. void, alpine)")
+	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&params.Arch, "arch", "", "architecture label stored in the manifest (e.g. x86_64)")
+	return cmd
+}
+
 func newKernelListCommand() *cobra.Command {
 	return &cobra.Command{
 		Use:   "list",
diff --git a/internal/cli/cli_test.go b/internal/cli/cli_test.go
index 6a53b07..4ca164c 100644
--- a/internal/cli/cli_test.go
+++ b/internal/cli/cli_test.go
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ func TestKernelCommandExposesSubcommands(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, sub := range kernel.Commands() {
 		names = append(names, sub.Name())
 	}
-	want := []string{"list", "rm", "show"}
+	want := []string{"import", "list", "rm", "show"}
 	if !reflect.DeepEqual(names, want) {
 		t.Fatalf("kernel subcommands = %v, want %v", names, want)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/daemon/daemon.go b/internal/daemon/daemon.go
index 5c6ca6f..d4768be 100644
--- a/internal/daemon/daemon.go
+++ b/internal/daemon/daemon.go
@@ -543,6 +543,13 @@ func (d *Daemon) dispatch(ctx context.Context, req rpc.Request) rpc.Response {
 		}
 		err = d.KernelDelete(ctx, params.Name)
 		return marshalResultOrError(api.Empty{}, err)
+	case "kernel.import":
+		params, err := rpc.DecodeParams[api.KernelImportParams](req)
+		if err != nil {
+			return rpc.NewError("bad_request", err.Error())
+		}
+		entry, err := d.KernelImport(ctx, params)
+		return marshalResultOrError(api.KernelShowResult{Entry: entry}, err)
 	default:
 		return rpc.NewError("unknown_method", req.Method)
 	}
diff --git a/internal/daemon/kernels.go b/internal/daemon/kernels.go
index 1436fd0..e3de641 100644
--- a/internal/daemon/kernels.go
+++ b/internal/daemon/kernels.go
@@ -2,12 +2,16 @@ package daemon
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 	"time"
 
 	"banger/internal/api"
 	"banger/internal/kernelcat"
+	"banger/internal/system"
 )
 
 func (d *Daemon) KernelList(_ context.Context) (api.KernelListResult, error) {
@@ -37,6 +41,97 @@ func (d *Daemon) KernelDelete(_ context.Context, name string) error {
 	return kernelcat.DeleteLocal(d.layout.KernelsDir, name)
 }
 
+// KernelImport copies the kernel / initrd / modules artifacts produced by
+// scripts/make-*-kernel.sh (under params.FromDir) into the local catalog
+// under params.Name and writes the manifest. It is the primary bridge from
+// "I built a kernel with the helper scripts" to "banger kernel list shows
+// it and image register --kernel-ref works."
+func (d *Daemon) KernelImport(ctx context.Context, params api.KernelImportParams) (api.KernelEntry, error) {
+	name := strings.TrimSpace(params.Name)
+	if err := kernelcat.ValidateName(name); err != nil {
+		return api.KernelEntry{}, err
+	}
+	fromDir := strings.TrimSpace(params.FromDir)
+	if fromDir == "" {
+		return api.KernelEntry{}, errors.New("--from <dir> is required")
+	}
+
+	discovered, err := kernelcat.DiscoverPaths(fromDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return api.KernelEntry{}, fmt.Errorf("discover artifacts under %s: %w", fromDir, err)
+	}
+
+	targetDir := kernelcat.EntryDir(d.layout.KernelsDir, name)
+	// Overwrite-by-default: clear any prior entry so a re-import is clean.
+	if err := kernelcat.DeleteLocal(d.layout.KernelsDir, name); err != nil {
+		return api.KernelEntry{}, fmt.Errorf("clear prior catalog entry %q: %w", name, err)
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(targetDir, 0o755); err != nil {
+		return api.KernelEntry{}, err
+	}
+
+	kernelTarget := filepath.Join(targetDir, "vmlinux")
+	if err := system.CopyFilePreferClone(discovered.KernelPath, kernelTarget); err != nil {
+		return api.KernelEntry{}, fmt.Errorf("copy kernel: %w", err)
+	}
+	if discovered.InitrdPath != "" {
+		initrdTarget := filepath.Join(targetDir, "initrd.img")
+		if err := system.CopyFilePreferClone(discovered.InitrdPath, initrdTarget); err != nil {
+			return api.KernelEntry{}, fmt.Errorf("copy initrd: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+	if discovered.ModulesDir != "" {
+		modulesTarget := filepath.Join(targetDir, "modules")
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(modulesTarget, 0o755); err != nil {
+			return api.KernelEntry{}, err
+		}
+		if err := system.CopyDirContents(ctx, d.runner, discovered.ModulesDir, modulesTarget, false); err != nil {
+			return api.KernelEntry{}, fmt.Errorf("copy modules: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	sum, err := kernelcat.SumFile(kernelTarget)
+	if err != nil {
+		return api.KernelEntry{}, fmt.Errorf("sha256 kernel: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	entry := kernelcat.Entry{
+		Name:          name,
+		Distro:        strings.TrimSpace(params.Distro),
+		Arch:          strings.TrimSpace(params.Arch),
+		KernelVersion: inferKernelVersion(discovered.KernelPath, discovered.ModulesDir),
+		SHA256:        sum,
+		Source:        "import:" + fromDir,
+		ImportedAt:    time.Now().UTC(),
+	}
+	if err := kernelcat.WriteLocal(d.layout.KernelsDir, entry); err != nil {
+		return api.KernelEntry{}, fmt.Errorf("write manifest: %w", err)
+	}
+	stored, err := kernelcat.ReadLocal(d.layout.KernelsDir, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		return api.KernelEntry{}, err
+	}
+	return kernelEntryToAPI(stored), nil
+}
+
+// inferKernelVersion makes a best-effort guess at the kernel version from
+// the source filename (e.g. "vmlinux-6.12.79_1") or falls back to the
+// modules directory basename. Returns "" if nothing looks useful.
+func inferKernelVersion(kernelPath, modulesDir string) string {
+	if modulesDir != "" {
+		if base := filepath.Base(modulesDir); base != "." && base != string(filepath.Separator) {
+			return base
+		}
+	}
+	base := filepath.Base(kernelPath)
+	for _, prefix := range []string{"vmlinux-", "vmlinuz-"} {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(base, prefix) {
+			return strings.TrimPrefix(base, prefix)
+		}
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
 func kernelEntryToAPI(entry kernelcat.Entry) api.KernelEntry {
 	importedAt := ""
 	if !entry.ImportedAt.IsZero() {
diff --git a/internal/daemon/kernels_test.go b/internal/daemon/kernels_test.go
index 369afef..e747c1f 100644
--- a/internal/daemon/kernels_test.go
+++ b/internal/daemon/kernels_test.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"banger/internal/kernelcat"
 	"banger/internal/paths"
 	"banger/internal/rpc"
+	"banger/internal/system"
 )
 
 func seedKernelEntry(t *testing.T, kernelsDir, name string) {
@@ -149,6 +150,72 @@ func TestRegisterImageRejectsKernelRefAndPath(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestKernelImportCopiesArtifactsAndWritesManifest(t *testing.T) {
+	src := t.TempDir()
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(src, "boot"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(src, "boot", "vmlinux-6.12.79_1"), []byte("kernel-bytes"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(src, "boot", "initramfs-6.12.79_1"), []byte("initrd-bytes"), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	modulesSource := filepath.Join(src, "lib", "modules", "6.12.79_1")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(modulesSource, 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(modulesSource, "modules.dep"), []byte(""), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	kernelsDir := t.TempDir()
+	d := &Daemon{
+		layout: paths.Layout{KernelsDir: kernelsDir},
+		runner: system.NewRunner(),
+	}
+
+	entry, err := d.KernelImport(context.Background(), api.KernelImportParams{
+		Name:    "void-6.12",
+		FromDir: src,
+		Distro:  "void",
+		Arch:    "x86_64",
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("KernelImport: %v", err)
+	}
+	if entry.Name != "void-6.12" || entry.Distro != "void" || entry.Arch != "x86_64" {
+		t.Fatalf("entry metadata = %+v", entry)
+	}
+	if entry.KernelVersion != "6.12.79_1" {
+		t.Errorf("KernelVersion = %q, want 6.12.79_1 (from modules dir)", entry.KernelVersion)
+	}
+	if entry.SHA256 == "" {
+		t.Errorf("SHA256 not populated")
+	}
+
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(kernelsDir, "void-6.12", "vmlinux")); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("kernel not copied: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(kernelsDir, "void-6.12", "initrd.img")); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("initrd not copied: %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(kernelsDir, "void-6.12", "modules", "modules.dep")); err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("modules not copied: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestKernelImportRejectsMissingFromDir(t *testing.T) {
+	d := &Daemon{
+		layout: paths.Layout{KernelsDir: t.TempDir()},
+		runner: system.NewRunner(),
+	}
+	_, err := d.KernelImport(context.Background(), api.KernelImportParams{Name: "x"})
+	if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "--from") {
+		t.Fatalf("KernelImport without --from: err=%v", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRegisterImageMissingKernelRef(t *testing.T) {
 	rootfs := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "rootfs.ext4")
 	if err := os.WriteFile(rootfs, []byte("rootfs"), 0o644); err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/kernelcat/import.go b/internal/kernelcat/import.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c6cea0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/kernelcat/import.go
@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+package kernelcat
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sort"
+)
+
+// DiscoveredArtifacts is what DiscoverPaths returns: absolute paths to a
+// kernel, an optional initrd, and an optional modules directory located
+// under the staged output of make-*-kernel.sh (or an equivalent layout).
+type DiscoveredArtifacts struct {
+	KernelPath string
+	InitrdPath string
+	ModulesDir string
+}
+
+// metadataFile is the JSON dropped by scripts/make-void-kernel.sh alongside
+// its staged output. We read it when present to avoid guessing at filenames.
+type metadataFile struct {
+	KernelPath string `json:"kernel_path"`
+	InitrdPath string `json:"initrd_path"`
+	ModulesDir string `json:"modules_dir"`
+}
+
+// DiscoverPaths locates kernel / initrd / modules artifacts under fromDir.
+// It prefers a metadata.json emitted by make-*-kernel.sh; otherwise it
+// falls back to globbing boot/vmlinux-*, boot/vmlinuz-* (for Alpine),
+// boot/initramfs-*, and the newest subdir under lib/modules/.
+func DiscoverPaths(fromDir string) (DiscoveredArtifacts, error) {
+	info, err := os.Stat(fromDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, err
+	}
+	if !info.IsDir() {
+		return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, fmt.Errorf("%s is not a directory", fromDir)
+	}
+
+	if paths, ok, err := discoverFromMetadata(fromDir); err != nil {
+		return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, err
+	} else if ok {
+		return paths, nil
+	}
+
+	bootDir := filepath.Join(fromDir, "boot")
+	kernel, err := latestMatch(bootDir, []string{"vmlinux-*", "vmlinuz-*"})
+	if err != nil {
+		return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, fmt.Errorf("locate kernel under %s: %w", bootDir, err)
+	}
+	initrd, err := latestMatch(bootDir, []string{"initramfs-*"})
+	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, fmt.Errorf("locate initrd under %s: %w", bootDir, err)
+	}
+	modules, err := latestSubdir(filepath.Join(fromDir, "lib", "modules"))
+	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, fmt.Errorf("locate modules under %s: %w", fromDir, err)
+	}
+	return DiscoveredArtifacts{
+		KernelPath: kernel,
+		InitrdPath: initrd,
+		ModulesDir: modules,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func discoverFromMetadata(fromDir string) (DiscoveredArtifacts, bool, error) {
+	data, err := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(fromDir, "metadata.json"))
+	if err != nil {
+		if errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+			return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, false, nil
+		}
+		return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, false, err
+	}
+	var meta metadataFile
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &meta); err != nil {
+		return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, false, fmt.Errorf("parse metadata.json in %s: %w", fromDir, err)
+	}
+	kernel := absoluteOrAnchored(fromDir, meta.KernelPath)
+	if kernel == "" {
+		return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, false, nil
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(kernel); err != nil {
+		return DiscoveredArtifacts{}, false, fmt.Errorf("metadata.json references missing kernel %s: %w", kernel, err)
+	}
+	out := DiscoveredArtifacts{KernelPath: kernel}
+	if meta.InitrdPath != "" {
+		candidate := absoluteOrAnchored(fromDir, meta.InitrdPath)
+		if _, err := os.Stat(candidate); err == nil {
+			out.InitrdPath = candidate
+		}
+	}
+	if meta.ModulesDir != "" {
+		candidate := absoluteOrAnchored(fromDir, meta.ModulesDir)
+		if info, err := os.Stat(candidate); err == nil && info.IsDir() {
+			out.ModulesDir = candidate
+		}
+	}
+	return out, true, nil
+}
+
+// absoluteOrAnchored returns path as-is if absolute; otherwise joins it to
+// anchor. Empty input returns "".
+func absoluteOrAnchored(anchor, path string) string {
+	path = filepath.Clean(path)
+	if path == "" || path == "." {
+		return ""
+	}
+	if filepath.IsAbs(path) {
+		return path
+	}
+	return filepath.Join(anchor, path)
+}
+
+// latestMatch returns the lexicographically latest file in dir matching any
+// of patterns (filename globs, not full paths). Returns os.ErrNotExist if no
+// match.
+func latestMatch(dir string, patterns []string) (string, error) {
+	if _, err := os.Stat(dir); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	var matches []string
+	for _, entry := range entries {
+		if entry.IsDir() {
+			continue
+		}
+		for _, pattern := range patterns {
+			ok, _ := filepath.Match(pattern, entry.Name())
+			if ok {
+				matches = append(matches, entry.Name())
+				break
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if len(matches) == 0 {
+		return "", os.ErrNotExist
+	}
+	sort.Strings(matches)
+	return filepath.Join(dir, matches[len(matches)-1]), nil
+}
+
+// latestSubdir returns the lexicographically latest subdirectory of root.
+// Returns os.ErrNotExist if root is missing or has no subdirs.
+func latestSubdir(root string) (string, error) {
+	if _, err := os.Stat(root); err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	entries, err := os.ReadDir(root)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	var dirs []string
+	for _, entry := range entries {
+		if entry.IsDir() {
+			dirs = append(dirs, entry.Name())
+		}
+	}
+	if len(dirs) == 0 {
+		return "", os.ErrNotExist
+	}
+	sort.Strings(dirs)
+	return filepath.Join(root, dirs[len(dirs)-1]), nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/kernelcat/import_test.go b/internal/kernelcat/import_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5147f6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/kernelcat/import_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+package kernelcat
+
+import (
+	"errors"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func writeFile(t *testing.T, path string, data string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.WriteFile(path, []byte(data), 0o644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDiscoverPathsPrefersMetadataJSON(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "vmlinux-custom"), "ignored")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "initramfs-custom"), "ignored")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "vmlinux-pick-me"), "kernel")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "initramfs-pick-me"), "initrd")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "lib", "modules", "6.12.79_1"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	metadata := `{
+"kernel_path": "boot/vmlinux-pick-me",
+"initrd_path": "boot/initramfs-pick-me",
+"modules_dir": "lib/modules/6.12.79_1"
+}`
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "metadata.json"), metadata)
+
+	got, err := DiscoverPaths(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("DiscoverPaths: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got.KernelPath != filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "vmlinux-pick-me") {
+		t.Errorf("KernelPath = %q", got.KernelPath)
+	}
+	if got.InitrdPath != filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "initramfs-pick-me") {
+		t.Errorf("InitrdPath = %q", got.InitrdPath)
+	}
+	if got.ModulesDir != filepath.Join(dir, "lib", "modules", "6.12.79_1") {
+		t.Errorf("ModulesDir = %q", got.ModulesDir)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDiscoverPathsFallsBackToGlobbing(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "vmlinux-6.12.0"), "k")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "vmlinux-6.12.1"), "newer")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "initramfs-6.12.1"), "i")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "lib", "modules", "6.12.0"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "lib", "modules", "6.12.1"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	got, err := DiscoverPaths(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("DiscoverPaths: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got.KernelPath != filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "vmlinux-6.12.1") {
+		t.Errorf("KernelPath = %q, want latest", got.KernelPath)
+	}
+	if got.InitrdPath != filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "initramfs-6.12.1") {
+		t.Errorf("InitrdPath = %q", got.InitrdPath)
+	}
+	if got.ModulesDir != filepath.Join(dir, "lib", "modules", "6.12.1") {
+		t.Errorf("ModulesDir = %q, want latest subdir", got.ModulesDir)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDiscoverPathsAlpineVmlinuzFallback(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	// Alpine older layouts may only ship vmlinuz-virt.
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "vmlinuz-virt"), "k")
+	writeFile(t, filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "initramfs-virt"), "i")
+
+	got, err := DiscoverPaths(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("DiscoverPaths: %v", err)
+	}
+	if got.KernelPath != filepath.Join(dir, "boot", "vmlinuz-virt") {
+		t.Errorf("KernelPath = %q, want vmlinuz-virt fallback", got.KernelPath)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDiscoverPathsMissingKernelIsError(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	// boot/ exists but contains no kernel
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Join(dir, "boot"), 0o755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	_, err := DiscoverPaths(dir)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error when no kernel present")
+	}
+	if !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) && !containsErr(err, "locate kernel") {
+		t.Fatalf("error shape: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDiscoverPathsNotADirectory(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+	path := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "file")
+	writeFile(t, path, "")
+	_, err := DiscoverPaths(path)
+	if err == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected error when fromDir is a file")
+	}
+}
+
+func containsErr(err error, substr string) bool {
+	return err != nil && (err.Error() == substr || len(err.Error()) >= len(substr) && errContains(err.Error(), substr))
+}
+
+func errContains(s, substr string) bool {
+	for i := 0; i+len(substr) <= len(s); i++ {
+		if s[i:i+len(substr)] == substr {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
diff --git a/internal/system/system.go b/internal/system/system.go
index 6368ed6..0f89449 100644
--- a/internal/system/system.go
+++ b/internal/system/system.go
@@ -288,7 +288,10 @@ func lastJSONLine(data []byte) []byte {
 }
 
 func CopyDirContents(ctx context.Context, runner CommandRunner, sourceDir, targetDir string, useSudo bool) error {
-	args := []string{"-a", filepath.Join(sourceDir, "."), targetDir + "/"}
+	// Trailing "/." on the source tells cp -a to copy the directory's
+	// contents rather than the directory itself. filepath.Join would
+	// strip the dot, hence the manual concat.
+	args := []string{"-a", strings.TrimRight(sourceDir, "/") + "/.", targetDir + "/"}
 	var err error
 	if useSudo {
 		_, err = runner.RunSudo(ctx, append([]string{"cp"}, args...)...)
diff --git a/scripts/register-alpine-image.sh b/scripts/register-alpine-image.sh
index f72e7bc..b70e95b 100755
--- a/scripts/register-alpine-image.sh
+++ b/scripts/register-alpine-image.sh
@@ -5,23 +5,6 @@ log() {
   printf '[register-alpine-image] %s\n' "$*" >&2
 }
 
-find_latest_matching() {
-  local dir="$1"
-  local pattern="$2"
-  if [[ ! -d "$dir" ]]; then
-    return 1
-  fi
-  find "$dir" -maxdepth 1 -type f -name "$pattern" | sort | tail -n 1
-}
-
-find_latest_module_dir() {
-  local root="$1"
-  if [[ ! -d "$root" ]]; then
-    return 1
-  fi
-  find "$root" -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -type d | sort | tail -n 1
-}
-
 resolve_banger_bin() {
   if [[ -n "${BANGER_BIN:-}" ]]; then
     printf '%s\n' "$BANGER_BIN"
@@ -47,6 +30,7 @@ SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
 REPO_ROOT="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/.." && pwd)"
 RUNTIME_DIR="${BANGER_MANUAL_DIR:-$REPO_ROOT/build/manual}"
 IMAGE_NAME="${ALPINE_IMAGE_NAME:-alpine}"
+KERNEL_REF="${ALPINE_KERNEL_REF:-$IMAGE_NAME}"
 BANGER_BIN="$(resolve_banger_bin)"
 ROOTFS="$RUNTIME_DIR/rootfs-alpine.ext4"
 WORK_SEED="$RUNTIME_DIR/rootfs-alpine.work-seed.ext4"
@@ -59,34 +43,22 @@ if [[ ! -f "$WORK_SEED" ]]; then
   log "missing Alpine work-seed: $WORK_SEED"
   exit 1
 fi
-
-args=(
-  image register
-  --name "$IMAGE_NAME"
-  --rootfs "$ROOTFS"
-  --work-seed "$WORK_SEED"
-  --docker
-)
-
 if [[ ! -d "$RUNTIME_DIR/alpine-kernel" ]]; then
   log "missing staged Alpine kernel artifacts: $RUNTIME_DIR/alpine-kernel"
   log "run 'make alpine-kernel' before registering $IMAGE_NAME"
   exit 1
 fi
 
-kernel="$(find_latest_matching "$RUNTIME_DIR/alpine-kernel/boot" 'vmlinux-*' || true)"
-if [[ -z "$kernel" ]]; then
-  kernel="$(find_latest_matching "$RUNTIME_DIR/alpine-kernel/boot" 'vmlinuz-*' || true)"
-fi
-initrd="$(find_latest_matching "$RUNTIME_DIR/alpine-kernel/boot" 'initramfs-*' || true)"
-modules="$(find_latest_module_dir "$RUNTIME_DIR/alpine-kernel/lib/modules" || true)"
+log "importing Alpine kernel from $RUNTIME_DIR/alpine-kernel as $KERNEL_REF"
+"$BANGER_BIN" kernel import "$KERNEL_REF" \
+  --from "$RUNTIME_DIR/alpine-kernel" \
+  --distro alpine \
+  --arch x86_64
 
-if [[ -z "$kernel" || -z "$initrd" || -z "$modules" ]]; then
-  log "staged Alpine kernel is incomplete; expected kernel, initramfs, and modules under $RUNTIME_DIR/alpine-kernel"
-  exit 1
-fi
-
-log "using staged Alpine kernel artifacts from $RUNTIME_DIR/alpine-kernel"
-args+=(--kernel "$kernel" --initrd "$initrd" --modules "$modules")
-
-"$BANGER_BIN" "${args[@]}"
+log "registering image $IMAGE_NAME with kernel-ref $KERNEL_REF"
+"$BANGER_BIN" image register \
+  --name "$IMAGE_NAME" \
+  --rootfs "$ROOTFS" \
+  --work-seed "$WORK_SEED" \
+  --docker \
+  --kernel-ref "$KERNEL_REF"
diff --git a/scripts/register-void-image.sh b/scripts/register-void-image.sh
index 0cc0719..64de6d7 100755
--- a/scripts/register-void-image.sh
+++ b/scripts/register-void-image.sh
@@ -5,23 +5,6 @@ log() {
   printf '[register-void-image] %s\n' "$*" >&2
 }
 
-find_latest_matching() {
-  local dir="$1"
-  local pattern="$2"
-  if [[ ! -d "$dir" ]]; then
-    return 1
-  fi
-  find "$dir" -maxdepth 1 -type f -name "$pattern" | sort | tail -n 1
-}
-
-find_latest_module_dir() {
-  local root="$1"
-  if [[ ! -d "$root" ]]; then
-    return 1
-  fi
-  find "$root" -mindepth 1 -maxdepth 1 -type d | sort | tail -n 1
-}
-
 resolve_banger_bin() {
   if [[ -n "${BANGER_BIN:-}" ]]; then
     printf '%s\n' "$BANGER_BIN"
@@ -47,6 +30,7 @@ SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
 REPO_ROOT="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/.." && pwd)"
 RUNTIME_DIR="${BANGER_MANUAL_DIR:-$REPO_ROOT/build/manual}"
 IMAGE_NAME="${VOID_IMAGE_NAME:-void}"
+KERNEL_REF="${VOID_KERNEL_REF:-$IMAGE_NAME}"
 BANGER_BIN="$(resolve_banger_bin)"
 ROOTFS="$RUNTIME_DIR/rootfs-void.ext4"
 WORK_SEED="$RUNTIME_DIR/rootfs-void.work-seed.ext4"
@@ -59,30 +43,21 @@ if [[ ! -f "$WORK_SEED" ]]; then
   log "missing Void work-seed: $WORK_SEED"
   exit 1
 fi
-
-args=(
-  image register
-  --name "$IMAGE_NAME"
-  --rootfs "$ROOTFS"
-  --work-seed "$WORK_SEED"
-)
-
 if [[ ! -d "$RUNTIME_DIR/void-kernel" ]]; then
   log "missing staged Void kernel artifacts: $RUNTIME_DIR/void-kernel"
   log "run 'make void-kernel' before registering $IMAGE_NAME"
   exit 1
 fi
 
-kernel="$(find_latest_matching "$RUNTIME_DIR/void-kernel/boot" 'vmlinux-*' || true)"
-initrd="$(find_latest_matching "$RUNTIME_DIR/void-kernel/boot" 'initramfs-*' || true)"
-modules="$(find_latest_module_dir "$RUNTIME_DIR/void-kernel/lib/modules" || true)"
+log "importing Void kernel from $RUNTIME_DIR/void-kernel as $KERNEL_REF"
+"$BANGER_BIN" kernel import "$KERNEL_REF" \
+  --from "$RUNTIME_DIR/void-kernel" \
+  --distro void \
+  --arch x86_64
 
-if [[ -z "$kernel" || -z "$initrd" || -z "$modules" ]]; then
-  log "staged Void kernel is incomplete; expected vmlinux, initramfs, and modules under $RUNTIME_DIR/void-kernel"
-  exit 1
-fi
-
-log "using staged Void kernel artifacts from $RUNTIME_DIR/void-kernel"
-args+=(--kernel "$kernel" --initrd "$initrd" --modules "$modules")
-
-"$BANGER_BIN" "${args[@]}"
+log "registering image $IMAGE_NAME with kernel-ref $KERNEL_REF"
+"$BANGER_BIN" image register \
+  --name "$IMAGE_NAME" \
+  --rootfs "$ROOTFS" \
+  --work-seed "$WORK_SEED" \
+  --kernel-ref "$KERNEL_REF"