diff --git a/.github/scripts/strategy-matrix/generate.py b/.github/scripts/strategy-matrix/generate.py
index 4784142b7b..9b2315af60 100755
--- a/.github/scripts/strategy-matrix/generate.py
+++ b/.github/scripts/strategy-matrix/generate.py
@@ -99,14 +99,15 @@ def generate_strategy_matrix(all: bool, config: Config) -> list:
                     continue
 
             # RHEL:
-            # - 9 using GCC 12: Debug on linux/amd64.
+            # - 9 using GCC 12: Debug and Release on linux/amd64
+            #   (Release is required for RPM packaging).
             # - 10 using Clang: Release on linux/amd64.
             if os["distro_name"] == "rhel":
                 skip = True
                 if os["distro_version"] == "9":
                     if (
                         f"{os['compiler_name']}-{os['compiler_version']}" == "gcc-12"
-                        and build_type == "Debug"
+                        and build_type in ["Debug", "Release"]
                         and architecture["platform"] == "linux/amd64"
                     ):
                         skip = False
@@ -121,7 +122,8 @@ def generate_strategy_matrix(all: bool, config: Config) -> list:
                     continue
 
             # Ubuntu:
-            # - Jammy using GCC 12: Debug on linux/arm64.
+            # - Jammy using GCC 12: Debug on linux/arm64, Release on
+            #   linux/amd64 (Release is required for DEB packaging).
             # - Noble using GCC 14: Release on linux/amd64.
             # - Noble using Clang 18: Debug on linux/amd64.
             # - Noble using Clang 19: Release on linux/arm64.
@@ -134,6 +136,12 @@ def generate_strategy_matrix(all: bool, config: Config) -> list:
                         and architecture["platform"] == "linux/arm64"
                     ):
                         skip = False
+                    if (
+                        f"{os['compiler_name']}-{os['compiler_version']}" == "gcc-12"
+                        and build_type == "Release"
+                        and architecture["platform"] == "linux/amd64"
+                    ):
+                        skip = False
                 elif os["distro_version"] == "noble":
                     if (
                         f"{os['compiler_name']}-{os['compiler_version']}" == "gcc-14"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/manual-package.yml b/.github/workflows/manual-package.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cdedacc1ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/manual-package.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+name: Manual Package Build
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      pkg_type:
+        description: "Package type"
+        required: true
+        type: choice
+        options:
+          - deb
+          - rpm
+          - both
+      artifact_run_id:
+        description: "Run ID to download binary artifact from (leave empty for latest on this branch)"
+        required: false
+        type: string
+      version:
+        description: "Version override (leave empty to auto-detect)"
+        required: false
+        type: string
+      pkg_release:
+        description: "Package release number (default: 1)"
+        required: false
+        type: string
+        default: "1"
+
+defaults:
+  run:
+    shell: bash
+
+jobs:
+  generate-version:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      version: ${{ inputs.version || steps.version.outputs.version }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        if: ${{ !inputs.version }}
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+      - name: Generate version
+        if: ${{ !inputs.version }}
+        id: version
+        uses: ./.github/actions/generate-version
+
+  package-deb:
+    if: ${{ inputs.pkg_type == 'deb' || inputs.pkg_type == 'both' }}
+    needs: generate-version
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
+    with:
+      pkg_type: deb
+      artifact_name: xrpld-ubuntu-jammy-gcc-12-amd64-release
+      version: ${{ needs.generate-version.outputs.version }}
+      pkg_release: ${{ inputs.pkg_release }}
+      container_image: ghcr.io/xrplf/ci/ubuntu-jammy:gcc-12
+
+  package-rpm:
+    if: ${{ inputs.pkg_type == 'rpm' || inputs.pkg_type == 'both' }}
+    needs: generate-version
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
+    with:
+      pkg_type: rpm
+      artifact_name: xrpld-rhel-9-gcc-12-amd64-release
+      version: ${{ needs.generate-version.outputs.version }}
+      pkg_release: ${{ inputs.pkg_release }}
+      container_image: ghcr.io/xrplf/ci/rhel-9:gcc-12
diff --git a/.github/workflows/on-pr.yml b/.github/workflows/on-pr.yml
index 28299a1264..b741a0a732 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/on-pr.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/on-pr.yml
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ jobs:
             .github/workflows/reusable-build-test.yml
             .github/workflows/reusable-clang-tidy.yml
             .github/workflows/reusable-clang-tidy-files.yml
+            .github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
             .github/workflows/reusable-strategy-matrix.yml
             .github/workflows/reusable-test.yml
             .github/workflows/reusable-upload-recipe.yml
@@ -81,6 +82,8 @@ jobs:
             CMakeLists.txt
             conanfile.py
             conan.lock
+            package/**
+
       - name: Check whether to run
         # This step determines whether the rest of the workflow should
         # run. The rest of the workflow will run if this job runs AND at
@@ -137,6 +140,39 @@ jobs:
     secrets:
       CODECOV_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
 
+  generate-version:
+    needs: should-run
+    if: ${{ needs.should-run.outputs.go == 'true' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      version: ${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+      - name: Generate version
+        id: version
+        uses: ./.github/actions/generate-version
+
+  package-deb:
+    needs: [should-run, build-test, generate-version]
+    if: ${{ needs.should-run.outputs.go == 'true' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
+    with:
+      pkg_type: deb
+      artifact_name: xrpld-ubuntu-jammy-gcc-12-amd64-release
+      version: ${{ needs.generate-version.outputs.version }}
+      container_image: ghcr.io/xrplf/ci/ubuntu-jammy:gcc-12
+
+  package-rpm:
+    needs: [should-run, build-test, generate-version]
+    if: ${{ needs.should-run.outputs.go == 'true' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
+    with:
+      pkg_type: rpm
+      artifact_name: xrpld-rhel-9-gcc-12-amd64-release
+      version: ${{ needs.generate-version.outputs.version }}
+      container_image: ghcr.io/xrplf/ci/rhel-9:gcc-12
+
   upload-recipe:
     needs:
       - should-run
diff --git a/.github/workflows/on-tag.yml b/.github/workflows/on-tag.yml
index e570a0e119..1b99d60542 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/on-tag.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/on-tag.yml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-# This workflow uploads the libxrpl recipe to the Conan remote when a versioned
-# tag is pushed.
+# This workflow uploads the libxrpl recipe to the Conan remote and builds
+# release packages when a versioned tag is pushed.
 name: Tag
 
 on:
@@ -22,3 +22,49 @@ jobs:
     secrets:
       remote_username: ${{ secrets.CONAN_REMOTE_USERNAME }}
       remote_password: ${{ secrets.CONAN_REMOTE_PASSWORD }}
+
+  build-test:
+    if: ${{ github.repository == 'XRPLF/rippled' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-build-test.yml
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: true
+      matrix:
+        os: [linux]
+    with:
+      ccache_enabled: false
+      os: ${{ matrix.os }}
+      strategy_matrix: minimal
+    secrets:
+      CODECOV_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
+
+  generate-version:
+    if: ${{ github.repository == 'XRPLF/rippled' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      version: ${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+      - name: Generate version
+        id: version
+        uses: ./.github/actions/generate-version
+
+  package-deb:
+    needs: [build-test, generate-version]
+    if: ${{ github.repository == 'XRPLF/rippled' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
+    with:
+      pkg_type: deb
+      artifact_name: xrpld-ubuntu-jammy-gcc-12-amd64-release
+      version: ${{ needs.generate-version.outputs.version }}
+      container_image: ghcr.io/xrplf/ci/ubuntu-jammy:gcc-12
+
+  package-rpm:
+    needs: [build-test, generate-version]
+    if: ${{ github.repository == 'XRPLF/rippled' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
+    with:
+      pkg_type: rpm
+      artifact_name: xrpld-rhel-9-gcc-12-amd64-release
+      version: ${{ needs.generate-version.outputs.version }}
+      container_image: ghcr.io/xrplf/ci/rhel-9:gcc-12
diff --git a/.github/workflows/on-trigger.yml b/.github/workflows/on-trigger.yml
index 5856c67bd3..958d093958 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/on-trigger.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/on-trigger.yml
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ on:
       - "CMakeLists.txt"
       - "conanfile.py"
       - "conan.lock"
+      - "package/**"
+      - ".github/workflows/reusable-package.yml"
 
   # Run at 06:32 UTC on every day of the week from Monday through Friday. This
   # will force all dependencies to be rebuilt, which is useful to verify that
@@ -77,7 +79,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: ${{ github.event_name == 'merge_group' }}
       matrix:
-        os: [linux, macos, windows]
+        os: [linux]
     with:
       # Enable ccache only for events targeting the XRPLF repository, since
       # other accounts will not have access to our remote cache storage.
@@ -98,3 +100,32 @@ jobs:
     secrets:
       remote_username: ${{ secrets.CONAN_REMOTE_USERNAME }}
       remote_password: ${{ secrets.CONAN_REMOTE_PASSWORD }}
+
+  generate-version:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      version: ${{ steps.version.outputs.version }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+      - name: Generate version
+        id: version
+        uses: ./.github/actions/generate-version
+
+  package-deb:
+    needs: [build-test, generate-version]
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
+    with:
+      pkg_type: deb
+      artifact_name: xrpld-ubuntu-jammy-gcc-12-amd64-release
+      version: ${{ needs.generate-version.outputs.version }}
+      container_image: ghcr.io/xrplf/ci/ubuntu-jammy:gcc-12
+
+  package-rpm:
+    needs: [build-test, generate-version]
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
+    with:
+      pkg_type: rpm
+      artifact_name: xrpld-rhel-9-gcc-12-amd64-release
+      version: ${{ needs.generate-version.outputs.version }}
+      container_image: ghcr.io/xrplf/ci/rhel-9:gcc-12
diff --git a/.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml b/.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3bb3687221
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/reusable-package.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+# Build a Linux package (DEB or RPM) from a pre-built binary artifact.
+name: Package
+
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      pkg_type:
+        description: "Package type to build: deb or rpm."
+        required: true
+        type: string
+      artifact_name:
+        description: "Name of the pre-built binary artifact to download."
+        required: true
+        type: string
+      version:
+        description: "Version string used for naming the output artifact."
+        required: true
+        type: string
+      pkg_release:
+        description: "Package release number. Increment when repackaging the same executable."
+        required: false
+        type: string
+        default: "1"
+      container_image:
+        description: "Container image to use for packaging."
+        required: true
+        type: string
+
+defaults:
+  run:
+    shell: bash
+
+env:
+  BUILD_DIR: build
+
+jobs:
+  package:
+    name: ${{ inputs.pkg_type }} (${{ inputs.version }})
+    runs-on: ["self-hosted", "Linux", "X64", "heavy"]
+    container: ${{ inputs.container_image }}
+    timeout-minutes: 30
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+
+      - name: Download pre-built binary
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: ${{ inputs.artifact_name }}
+          path: ${{ env.BUILD_DIR }}
+
+      - name: Make binary executable
+        run: chmod +x ${{ env.BUILD_DIR }}/xrpld
+
+      - name: Generate RPM spec from template
+        if: ${{ inputs.pkg_type == 'rpm' }}
+        run: |
+          mkdir -p ${{ env.BUILD_DIR }}/package/rpm
+          sed -e "s/@xrpld_version@/${{ inputs.version }}/" \
+              -e "s/@pkg_release@/${{ inputs.pkg_release }}/" \
+            package/rpm/xrpld.spec.in > ${{ env.BUILD_DIR }}/package/rpm/xrpld.spec
+
+      - name: Build package
+        run: |
+          ./package/build_pkg.sh ${{ inputs.pkg_type }} . ${{ env.BUILD_DIR }} "${{ inputs.version }}" "${{ inputs.pkg_release }}"
+
+      - name: Upload package artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@bbbca2ddaa5d8feaa63e36b76fdaad77386f024f # v7.0.0
+        with:
+          name: xrpld-${{ inputs.pkg_type }}-${{ inputs.version }}
+          path: |
+            ${{ env.BUILD_DIR }}/debbuild/*.deb
+            ${{ env.BUILD_DIR }}/debbuild/*.ddeb
+            ${{ env.BUILD_DIR }}/rpmbuild/RPMS/**/*.rpm
+          if-no-files-found: error
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 80ff8fec13..d315a5dcec 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ endif()
 include(XrplCore)
 include(XrplProtocolAutogen)
 include(XrplInstall)
+include(XrplPackaging)
 include(XrplValidatorKeys)
 
 if(tests)
diff --git a/cmake/XrplInstall.cmake b/cmake/XrplInstall.cmake
index 339cdb51ec..c51151aee7 100644
--- a/cmake/XrplInstall.cmake
+++ b/cmake/XrplInstall.cmake
@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@ if(is_root_project AND TARGET xrpld)
 
     install(
         FILES "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cfg/xrpld-example.cfg"
-        DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_SYSCONFDIR}/xrpld"
+        DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_SYSCONFDIR}"
         RENAME xrpld.cfg
         COMPONENT runtime
     )
 
     install(
         FILES "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/cfg/validators-example.txt"
-        DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_SYSCONFDIR}/xrpld"
+        DESTINATION "${CMAKE_INSTALL_SYSCONFDIR}"
         RENAME validators.txt
         COMPONENT runtime
     )
diff --git a/cmake/XrplPackaging.cmake b/cmake/XrplPackaging.cmake
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2947618b78
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmake/XrplPackaging.cmake
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+#[===================================================================[
+   Linux packaging support: RPM and Debian targets + install tests
+#]===================================================================]
+
+if(NOT CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX STREQUAL "/opt/xrpld")
+    message(
+        STATUS
+        "Packaging targets require -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/opt/xrpld "
+        "(current: '${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}'); skipping."
+    )
+    return()
+endif()
+
+# Generate the RPM spec from template (substitutes @xrpld_version@, @pkg_release@).
+if(NOT DEFINED pkg_release)
+    set(pkg_release 1)
+endif()
+configure_file(
+    ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/package/rpm/xrpld.spec.in
+    ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/package/rpm/xrpld.spec
+    @ONLY
+)
+
+find_program(RPMBUILD_EXECUTABLE rpmbuild)
+if(RPMBUILD_EXECUTABLE)
+    add_custom_target(
+        package-rpm
+        COMMAND
+            ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/package/build_pkg.sh rpm ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}
+            ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}
+        WORKING_DIRECTORY ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}
+        COMMENT "Building RPM package"
+        VERBATIM
+    )
+else()
+    message(STATUS "rpmbuild not found; 'package-rpm' target not available")
+endif()
+
+find_program(DPKG_BUILDPACKAGE_EXECUTABLE dpkg-buildpackage)
+if(DPKG_BUILDPACKAGE_EXECUTABLE)
+    add_custom_target(
+        package-deb
+        COMMAND
+            ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/package/build_pkg.sh deb ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}
+            ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR} ${xrpld_version}
+        WORKING_DIRECTORY ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}
+        COMMENT "Building Debian package"
+        VERBATIM
+    )
+else()
+    message(
+        STATUS
+        "dpkg-buildpackage not found; 'package-deb' target not available"
+    )
+endif()
+
+#[===================================================================[
+   CTest fixtures for package install verification (requires docker)
+#]===================================================================]
+
+find_program(DOCKER_EXECUTABLE docker)
+if(NOT DOCKER_EXECUTABLE)
+    message(STATUS "docker not found; package install tests not available")
+    return()
+endif()
+
+set(DEB_TEST_IMAGE "geerlingguy/docker-ubuntu2204-ansible:latest")
+set(RPM_TEST_IMAGE "geerlingguy/docker-rockylinux9-ansible:latest")
+
+foreach(PKG deb rpm)
+    if(PKG STREQUAL "deb")
+        set(IMAGE ${DEB_TEST_IMAGE})
+    else()
+        set(IMAGE ${RPM_TEST_IMAGE})
+    endif()
+
+    # Fixture: start container
+    add_test(
+        NAME ${PKG}_container_start
+        COMMAND
+            sh -c
+            "docker rm -f xrpld_${PKG}_install_test 2>/dev/null || true && \
+            docker run --rm -d \
+            --name xrpld_${PKG}_install_test \
+            --memory=45g --memory-swap=45g \
+            --privileged \
+            --cgroupns host \
+            --volume '${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}:/root:ro' \
+            --volume /sys/fs/cgroup:/sys/fs/cgroup:rw \
+            --tmpfs /tmp --tmpfs /run --tmpfs /run/lock \
+            ${IMAGE} \
+            /usr/sbin/init"
+    )
+    set_tests_properties(
+        ${PKG}_container_start
+        PROPERTIES FIXTURES_SETUP ${PKG}_container LABELS packaging
+    )
+
+    # Fixture: stop container
+    # On CI: always stop. Locally: leave running on failure for diagnosis.
+    add_test(
+        NAME ${PKG}_container_stop
+        COMMAND
+            sh -c
+            "if [ -n \"$CI\" ] || ! docker exec xrpld_${PKG}_install_test test -f /tmp/test_failed 2>/dev/null; then \
+            docker rm -f xrpld_${PKG}_install_test; \
+        else \
+            echo 'Tests failed — leaving xrpld_${PKG}_install_test running for diagnosis'; \
+            echo 'Clean up with: docker rm -f xrpld_${PKG}_install_test'; \
+        fi"
+    )
+    set_tests_properties(
+        ${PKG}_container_stop
+        PROPERTIES FIXTURES_CLEANUP ${PKG}_container LABELS packaging
+    )
+
+    # Install package and run smoke test
+    add_test(
+        NAME ${PKG}_install
+        COMMAND
+            docker exec -w /root xrpld_${PKG}_install_test bash
+            /root/package/test/smoketest.sh local
+    )
+    set_tests_properties(
+        ${PKG}_install
+        PROPERTIES
+            FIXTURES_REQUIRED ${PKG}_container
+            FIXTURES_SETUP ${PKG}_installed
+            LABELS packaging
+            TIMEOUT 600
+    )
+
+    # Validate install paths and compat symlinks
+    add_test(
+        NAME ${PKG}_install_paths
+        COMMAND
+            docker exec -w /root xrpld_${PKG}_install_test sh
+            /root/package/test/check_install_paths.sh
+    )
+    set_tests_properties(
+        ${PKG}_install_paths
+        PROPERTIES
+            FIXTURES_REQUIRED "${PKG}_container;${PKG}_installed"
+            LABELS packaging
+            TIMEOUT 60
+    )
+endforeach()
diff --git a/cspell.config.yaml b/cspell.config.yaml
index 028f02191e..128b42364a 100644
--- a/cspell.config.yaml
+++ b/cspell.config.yaml
@@ -97,12 +97,15 @@ words:
   - desync
   - desynced
   - determ
+  - disablerepo
   - distro
   - doxyfile
   - dxrpl
   - enabled
+  - enablerepo
   - endmacro
   - exceptioned
+  - EXPECT_STREQ
   - Falco
   - fcontext
   - finalizers
@@ -158,6 +161,7 @@ words:
   - Merkle
   - Metafuncton
   - misprediction
+  - missingok
   - mptbalance
   - MPTDEX
   - mptflags
@@ -189,7 +193,9 @@ words:
   - NOLINT
   - NOLINTNEXTLINE
   - nonxrp
+  - noreplace
   - noripple
+  - notifempty
   - nudb
   - nullptr
   - nunl
@@ -209,6 +215,7 @@ words:
   - preauthorize
   - preauthorizes
   - preclaim
+  - preun
   - protobuf
   - protos
   - ptrs
@@ -243,12 +250,14 @@ words:
   - sfields
   - shamap
   - shamapitem
+  - shlibs
   - sidechain
   - SIGGOOD
   - sle
   - sles
   - soci
   - socidb
+  - SRPMS
   - sslws
   - statsd
   - STATSDCOLLECTOR
@@ -276,8 +285,8 @@ words:
   - txn
   - txns
   - txs
-  - UBSAN
   - ubsan
+  - UBSAN
   - umant
   - unacquired
   - unambiguity
@@ -314,7 +323,6 @@ words:
   - xbridge
   - xchain
   - ximinez
-  - EXPECT_STREQ
   - XMACRO
   - xrpkuwait
   - xrpl
diff --git a/package/README.md b/package/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..11d1e12121
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+# Linux Packaging
+
+This directory contains all files needed to build RPM and Debian packages for `xrpld`.
+
+## Directory layout
+
+```
+package/
+  build_pkg.sh      Staging and build script (called by CMake targets and CI)
+  rpm/
+    xrpld.spec.in   RPM spec template (substitutes @xrpld_version@, @pkg_release@)
+  deb/
+    debian/         Debian control files (control, rules, install, links, conffiles, ...)
+  shared/
+    xrpld.service       systemd unit file (used by both RPM and DEB)
+    xrpld.sysusers      sysusers.d config (used by both RPM and DEB)
+    xrpld.tmpfiles      tmpfiles.d config (used by both RPM and DEB)
+    xrpld.logrotate     logrotate config (installed to /opt/xrpld/bin/, user activates)
+    update-xrpld.sh     auto-update script (installed to /opt/xrpld/bin/)
+    update-xrpld-cron   cron entry for auto-update (installed to /opt/xrpld/bin/)
+  test/
+    smoketest.sh            Package install smoke test
+    check_install_paths.sh  Verify install paths and compat symlinks
+```
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+| Package type | Container                              | Tool required                                                   |
+| ------------ | -------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| RPM          | `ghcr.io/xrplf/ci/rhel-9:gcc-12`       | `rpmbuild`                                                      |
+| DEB          | `ghcr.io/xrplf/ci/ubuntu-jammy:gcc-12` | `dpkg-buildpackage`, `debhelper (>= 13)`, `dh-sequence-systemd` |
+
+## Building packages
+
+### Via CI (recommended)
+
+The `reusable-package.yml` workflow downloads a pre-built `xrpld` binary artifact
+and calls `build_pkg.sh` directly. No CMake configure or build step is needed in
+the packaging job.
+
+### Via CMake (local development)
+
+Configure with the required install prefix, then invoke the target:
+
+```bash
+cmake \
+  -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/opt/xrpld \
+  -Dxrpld=ON \
+  -Dtests=OFF \
+  ..
+
+# RPM (in RHEL container):
+cmake --build . --target package-rpm
+
+# DEB (in Debian/Ubuntu container):
+cmake --build . --target package-deb
+```
+
+The `cmake/XrplPackaging.cmake` module gates each target on whether the required
+tool (`rpmbuild` / `dpkg-buildpackage`) is present at configure time, so
+configuring on a host that lacks one simply omits the corresponding target.
+
+`CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX` must be `/opt/xrpld`; if it is not, both targets are
+skipped with a `STATUS` message.
+
+## How `build_pkg.sh` works
+
+`build_pkg.sh <pkg_type> <src_dir> <build_dir> [version] [pkg_release]` stages
+all files and invokes the platform build tool. It resolves `src_dir` and
+`build_dir` to absolute paths, then calls `stage_common()` to copy the binary,
+config files, and shared support files into the staging area.
+
+### RPM
+
+1. Creates the standard `rpmbuild/{BUILD,BUILDROOT,RPMS,SOURCES,SPECS,SRPMS}` tree inside the build directory.
+2. Copies the generated `xrpld.spec` and all source files (binary, configs, service files) into `SOURCES/`.
+3. Runs `rpmbuild -bb`. The spec uses manual `install` commands to place files.
+4. Output: `rpmbuild/RPMS/x86_64/xrpld-*.rpm`
+
+### DEB
+
+1. Creates a staging source tree at `debbuild/source/` inside the build directory.
+2. Stages the binary, configs, `README.md`, and `LICENSE.md`.
+3. Copies `package/deb/debian/` control files into `debbuild/source/debian/`.
+4. Copies shared service/sysusers/tmpfiles into `debian/` where `dh_installsystemd`, `dh_installsysusers`, and `dh_installtmpfiles` pick them up automatically.
+5. Generates a minimal `debian/changelog` (pre-release versions use `~` instead of `-`).
+6. Runs `dpkg-buildpackage -b --no-sign`. `debian/rules` uses manual `install` commands.
+7. Output: `debbuild/*.deb` and `debbuild/*.ddeb` (dbgsym package)
+
+## Post-build verification
+
+```bash
+# DEB
+dpkg-deb -c debbuild/*.deb | grep -E 'systemd|sysusers|tmpfiles'
+lintian -I debbuild/*.deb
+
+# RPM
+rpm -qlp rpmbuild/RPMS/x86_64/*.rpm
+```
+
+## Reproducibility
+
+The following environment variables improve build reproducibility. They are not
+set automatically by `build_pkg.sh`; set them manually if needed:
+
+```bash
+export SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH=$(git log -1 --pretty=%ct)
+export TZ=UTC
+export LC_ALL=C.UTF-8
+export GZIP=-n
+export DEB_BUILD_OPTIONS="noautodbgsym reproducible=+fixfilepath"
+```
+
+## TODO
+
+- Port debsigs signing instructions and integrate into CI.
+- Port RPM GPG signing setup (key import + `%{?_gpg_sign}` in spec).
+- Introduce a virtual package for key rotation.
diff --git a/package/build_pkg.sh b/package/build_pkg.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..045e08a334
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/build_pkg.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Build an RPM or Debian package from a pre-built xrpld binary.
+#
+# Usage: build_pkg.sh <pkg_type> <src_dir> <build_dir> [version] [pkg_release]
+#   pkg_type    : rpm | deb
+#   src_dir     : path to repository root
+#   build_dir   : directory containing the pre-built xrpld binary
+#   version     : package version string (e.g. 2.4.0-b1)
+#   pkg_release : package release number (default: 1)
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+PKG_TYPE="${1:?pkg_type required}"
+SRC_DIR="$(cd "${2:?src_dir required}" && pwd)"
+BUILD_DIR="$(cd "${3:?build_dir required}" && pwd)"
+VERSION="${4:-1.0.0}"
+PKG_RELEASE="${5:-1}"
+
+SHARED="${SRC_DIR}/package/shared"
+
+# Stage files common to both package types into a target directory.
+stage_common() {
+    local dest="$1"
+    cp "${BUILD_DIR}/xrpld"                  "${dest}/xrpld"
+    cp "${SRC_DIR}/cfg/xrpld-example.cfg"    "${dest}/xrpld.cfg"
+    cp "${SRC_DIR}/cfg/validators-example.txt" "${dest}/validators.txt"
+    cp "${SHARED}/xrpld.logrotate"           "${dest}/xrpld.logrotate"
+    cp "${SHARED}/update-xrpld.sh"           "${dest}/update-xrpld.sh"
+    cp "${SHARED}/update-xrpld-cron"         "${dest}/update-xrpld-cron"
+}
+
+build_rpm() {
+    local topdir="${BUILD_DIR}/rpmbuild"
+    mkdir -p "${topdir}"/{BUILD,BUILDROOT,RPMS,SOURCES,SPECS,SRPMS}
+
+    cp "${BUILD_DIR}/package/rpm/xrpld.spec" "${topdir}/SPECS/xrpld.spec"
+
+    stage_common "${topdir}/SOURCES"
+    cp "${SHARED}/xrpld.service"  "${topdir}/SOURCES/xrpld.service"
+    cp "${SHARED}/xrpld.sysusers" "${topdir}/SOURCES/xrpld.sysusers"
+    cp "${SHARED}/xrpld.tmpfiles" "${topdir}/SOURCES/xrpld.tmpfiles"
+
+    set -x
+    rpmbuild -bb \
+        --define "_topdir ${topdir}" \
+        "${topdir}/SPECS/xrpld.spec"
+}
+
+build_deb() {
+    local staging="${BUILD_DIR}/debbuild/source"
+    rm -rf "${staging}"
+    mkdir -p "${staging}"
+
+    stage_common "${staging}"
+    cp "${SRC_DIR}/README.md"  "${staging}/"
+    cp "${SRC_DIR}/LICENSE.md" "${staging}/"
+
+    # debian/ control files
+    cp -r "${SRC_DIR}/package/deb/debian" "${staging}/debian"
+
+    # Shared support files for dh_installsystemd / sysusers / tmpfiles
+    cp "${SHARED}/xrpld.service"  "${staging}/debian/xrpld.service"
+    cp "${SHARED}/xrpld.sysusers" "${staging}/debian/xrpld.sysusers"
+    cp "${SHARED}/xrpld.tmpfiles" "${staging}/debian/xrpld.tmpfiles"
+
+    # Generate debian/changelog (pre-release versions use ~ instead of -).
+    local deb_version="${VERSION//-/\~}"
+    # TODO: Add facility for generating the changelog
+    cat > "${staging}/debian/changelog" <<EOF
+xrpld (${deb_version}-${PKG_RELEASE}) unstable; urgency=medium
+
+  * Release ${VERSION}.
+
+ -- XRPL Foundation <contact@xrplf.org>  $(LC_ALL=C date -u -R)
+EOF
+
+    chmod +x "${staging}/debian/rules"
+
+    set -x
+    cd "${staging}"
+    dpkg-buildpackage -b --no-sign -d
+}
+
+case "${PKG_TYPE}" in
+    rpm) build_rpm ;;
+    deb) build_deb ;;
+    *)
+        echo "Unknown package type: ${PKG_TYPE}" >&2
+        exit 1
+        ;;
+esac
diff --git a/package/deb/debian/control b/package/deb/debian/control
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..30063c68fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/deb/debian/control
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+Source: xrpld
+Section: net
+Priority: optional
+Maintainer: XRPL Foundation <contact@xrpl.org>
+Rules-Requires-Root: no
+Build-Depends:
+ debhelper-compat (= 13),
+Standards-Version: 4.7.0
+Homepage: https://github.com/XRPLF/rippled
+Vcs-Git: https://github.com/XRPLF/rippled.git
+Vcs-Browser: https://github.com/XRPLF/rippled
+
+Package: xrpld
+Section: net
+Priority: optional
+Architecture: any
+Depends:
+ ${shlibs:Depends},
+ ${misc:Depends}
+Description: XRP Ledger daemon
+ xrpld is the reference implementation of the XRP Ledger protocol.
+ It participates in the peer-to-peer XRP Ledger network, processes
+ transactions, and maintains the ledger database.
+
+Package: rippled
+Architecture: all
+Section: oldlibs
+Priority: optional
+Depends: xrpld, ${misc:Depends}
+Description: transitional package - use xrpld
+ The rippled package has been renamed to xrpld. This transitional
+ package ensures a smooth upgrade and can be safely removed after
+ xrpld is installed.
diff --git a/package/deb/debian/copyright b/package/deb/debian/copyright
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9ae66166c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/deb/debian/copyright
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+Format: http://www.debian.org/doc/packaging-manuals/copyright-format/1.0/
+Upstream-Name: rippled
+Source: https://github.com/XRPLF/rippled
+
+Files: *
+Copyright: 2012-2025 Ripple Labs Inc.
+License: ISC
+
+License: ISC
+ Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for any
+ purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above
+ copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.
+ .
+ THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
+ WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
+ MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR
+ ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
+ WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN
+ ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF
+ OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
diff --git a/package/deb/debian/rules b/package/deb/debian/rules
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4ab4111951
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/deb/debian/rules
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+#!/usr/bin/make -f
+
+export DH_VERBOSE = 1
+export DH_OPTIONS = -v
+
+%:
+	dh $@
+
+override_dh_auto_configure override_dh_auto_build override_dh_auto_test:
+	@:
+
+override_dh_auto_install:
+	install -Dm0755 xrpld           debian/tmp/opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld
+	install -Dm0644 xrpld.cfg       debian/tmp/opt/xrpld/etc/xrpld.cfg
+	install -Dm0644 validators.txt  debian/tmp/opt/xrpld/etc/validators.txt
+	install -Dm0644 xrpld.logrotate debian/tmp/opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld.logrotate
+	install -Dm0755 update-xrpld.sh debian/tmp/opt/xrpld/bin/update-xrpld.sh
+	install -Dm0644 update-xrpld-cron debian/tmp/opt/xrpld/bin/update-xrpld-cron
+	install -Dm0644 README.md       debian/tmp/usr/share/doc/xrpld/README.md
+	install -Dm0644 LICENSE.md      debian/tmp/usr/share/doc/xrpld/LICENSE.md
+
+override_dh_installsystemd:
+	dh_installsystemd
+#	see if this still works
+#	dh_installsystemd --no-start
+
+override_dh_installsysusers:
+	dh_installsysusers
+
+override_dh_installtmpfiles:
+	dh_installtmpfiles
+
+override_dh_install:
+	dh_install
+
+override_dh_dwz:
+	@:
diff --git a/package/deb/debian/source/format b/package/deb/debian/source/format
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..163aaf8d82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/deb/debian/source/format
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+3.0 (quilt)
diff --git a/package/deb/debian/xrpld.conffiles b/package/deb/debian/xrpld.conffiles
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d9a8a1c0c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/deb/debian/xrpld.conffiles
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+/opt/xrpld/etc/xrpld.cfg
+/opt/xrpld/etc/validators.txt
diff --git a/package/deb/debian/xrpld.install b/package/deb/debian/xrpld.install
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e28588f9db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/deb/debian/xrpld.install
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld
+opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld.logrotate
+opt/xrpld/bin/update-xrpld.sh
+opt/xrpld/bin/update-xrpld-cron
+
+opt/xrpld/etc/xrpld.cfg
+opt/xrpld/etc/validators.txt
+
+usr/share/doc/xrpld/README.md
+usr/share/doc/xrpld/LICENSE.md
diff --git a/package/deb/debian/xrpld.links b/package/deb/debian/xrpld.links
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..888943fec3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/deb/debian/xrpld.links
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+opt/xrpld/etc etc/opt/xrpld
+
+opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld usr/bin/xrpld
+
+## remove when "rippled" deprecated
+opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld opt/xrpld/bin/rippled
+opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld usr/bin/rippled
+opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld usr/local/bin/rippled
+opt/xrpld/etc/xrpld.cfg opt/xrpld/etc/rippled.cfg
+var/log/xrpld var/log/rippled
+var/lib/xrpld var/lib/rippled
+opt/xrpld opt/ripple
+etc/opt/xrpld etc/opt/ripple
diff --git a/package/rpm/xrpld.spec.in b/package/rpm/xrpld.spec.in
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d145a9fc95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/rpm/xrpld.spec.in
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+%global xrpld_version  @xrpld_version@
+%global pkg_release    @pkg_release@
+%global _opt_prefix    /opt/xrpld
+%global ver_base       %(v=%{xrpld_version}; echo ${v%%-*})
+%global _has_dash      %(v=%{xrpld_version}; [ "${v#*-}" != "$v" ] && echo 1 || echo 0)
+%if 0%{?_has_dash}
+  %global ver_suffix   %(v=%{xrpld_version}; printf %s "${v#*-}")
+%endif
+Name:     xrpld
+Version:  %{ver_base}
+Release:  %{?ver_suffix:0.%{ver_suffix}.}%{pkg_release}%{?dist}
+Summary:  XRP Ledger daemon
+
+License:  ISC
+URL:      https://github.com/XRPLF/rippled
+
+Source0:  xrpld
+Source1:  xrpld.cfg
+Source2:  validators.txt
+Source3:  xrpld.service
+Source4:  xrpld.sysusers
+Source5:  xrpld.tmpfiles
+Source6:  xrpld.logrotate
+Source7:  update-xrpld.sh
+Source8:  update-xrpld-cron
+
+BuildArch:     x86_64
+BuildRequires: systemd-rpm-macros
+
+%undefine _debugsource_packages
+%debug_package
+
+%{?systemd_requires}
+%{?sysusers_requires_compat}
+
+%description
+xrpld is the reference implementation of the XRP Ledger protocol. It
+participates in the peer-to-peer XRP Ledger network, processes
+transactions, and maintains the ledger database.
+
+%install
+rm -rf %{buildroot}
+
+# Suppress debugsource subpackage — no source files in the build tree.
+touch %{_builddir}/debugsourcefiles.list
+
+# Install binary and config files.
+install -Dm0755 %{SOURCE0} %{buildroot}%{_opt_prefix}/bin/xrpld
+install -Dm0644 %{SOURCE1} %{buildroot}%{_opt_prefix}/etc/xrpld.cfg
+install -Dm0644 %{SOURCE2} %{buildroot}%{_opt_prefix}/etc/validators.txt
+
+# Compatibility symlinks (matches debian/xrpld.links).
+mkdir -p %{buildroot}/etc/opt %{buildroot}/usr/bin %{buildroot}/usr/local/bin \
+         %{buildroot}/var/log %{buildroot}/var/lib
+ln -s %{_opt_prefix}/etc       %{buildroot}/etc/opt/xrpld
+ln -s %{_opt_prefix}/bin/xrpld %{buildroot}/usr/bin/xrpld
+
+## remove when "rippled" deprecated
+ln -s xrpld                     %{buildroot}%{_opt_prefix}/bin/rippled
+ln -s %{_opt_prefix}/bin/xrpld  %{buildroot}/usr/bin/rippled
+ln -s %{_opt_prefix}/bin/xrpld  %{buildroot}/usr/local/bin/rippled
+ln -s xrpld.cfg                 %{buildroot}%{_opt_prefix}/etc/rippled.cfg
+ln -s %{_opt_prefix}            %{buildroot}/opt/ripple
+ln -s /etc/opt/xrpld            %{buildroot}/etc/opt/ripple
+ln -s xrpld                     %{buildroot}/var/log/rippled
+ln -s xrpld                     %{buildroot}/var/lib/rippled
+
+# Install systemd/sysusers/tmpfiles support files.
+install -Dm0644 %{SOURCE3} %{buildroot}%{_unitdir}/xrpld.service
+install -Dm0644 %{SOURCE4} %{buildroot}%{_sysusersdir}/xrpld.conf
+install -Dm0644 %{SOURCE5} %{buildroot}%{_tmpfilesdir}/xrpld.conf
+install -Dm0644 %{SOURCE6} %{buildroot}%{_opt_prefix}/bin/xrpld.logrotate
+install -Dm0755 %{SOURCE7} %{buildroot}%{_opt_prefix}/bin/update-xrpld.sh
+install -Dm0644 %{SOURCE8} %{buildroot}%{_opt_prefix}/bin/update-xrpld-cron
+
+%pre
+%sysusers_create_compat %{SOURCE4}
+
+%post
+%systemd_post xrpld.service
+
+%preun
+%systemd_preun xrpld.service
+
+%postun
+%systemd_postun_with_restart xrpld.service
+
+%files
+%dir %{_opt_prefix}
+%dir %{_opt_prefix}/bin
+%{_opt_prefix}/bin/xrpld
+%{_opt_prefix}/bin/xrpld.logrotate
+%{_opt_prefix}/bin/update-xrpld.sh
+%{_opt_prefix}/bin/update-xrpld-cron
+%{_opt_prefix}/bin/rippled
+/usr/bin/xrpld
+/usr/bin/rippled
+/usr/local/bin/rippled
+%dir %{_opt_prefix}/etc
+%config(noreplace) %{_opt_prefix}/etc/xrpld.cfg
+%config(noreplace) %{_opt_prefix}/etc/validators.txt
+%{_opt_prefix}/etc/rippled.cfg
+/etc/opt/xrpld
+/etc/opt/ripple
+/opt/ripple
+%{_unitdir}/xrpld.service
+%{_sysusersdir}/xrpld.conf
+%{_tmpfilesdir}/xrpld.conf
+/var/log/rippled
+/var/lib/rippled
+%ghost %dir /var/opt/ripple
+%ghost %dir /var/opt/ripple/lib
+%ghost %dir /var/opt/ripple/log
diff --git a/package/shared/update-xrpld-cron b/package/shared/update-xrpld-cron
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cccc397386
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/shared/update-xrpld-cron
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# For automatic updates, symlink this file to /etc/cron.d/
+# Do not remove the newline at the end of this cron script
+
+# bash required for use of RANDOM below.
+SHELL=/bin/bash
+PATH=/sbin;/bin;/usr/sbin;/usr/bin
+
+# invoke check/update script with random delay up to 59 mins
+0 * * * * root sleep $((RANDOM*3540/32768)) && /opt/xrpld/bin/update-xrpld.sh
diff --git a/package/shared/update-xrpld.sh b/package/shared/update-xrpld.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..5c5c5fcce8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/shared/update-xrpld.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+# auto-update script for xrpld daemon
+
+# Check for sudo/root permissions
+if [[ $(id -u) -ne 0 ]] ; then
+   echo "This update script must be run as root or sudo"
+   exit 1
+fi
+
+LOCKDIR=/tmp/xrpld-update.lock
+UPDATELOG=/var/log/xrpld/update.log
+
+function cleanup {
+  # If this directory isn't removed, future updates will fail.
+  rmdir $LOCKDIR
+}
+
+# Use mkdir to check if process is already running. mkdir is atomic, as against file create.
+if ! mkdir $LOCKDIR 2>/dev/null; then
+  echo $(date -u) "lockdir exists - won't proceed." >> $UPDATELOG
+  exit 1
+fi
+trap cleanup EXIT
+
+source /etc/os-release
+can_update=false
+
+if [[ "$ID" == "ubuntu" || "$ID" == "debian" ]] ; then
+  # Silent update
+  apt-get update -qq
+
+  # The next line is an "awk"ward way to check if the package needs to be updated.
+  XRPLD=$(apt-get install -s --only-upgrade xrpld | awk '/^Inst/ { print $2 }')
+  test "$XRPLD" == "xrpld" && can_update=true
+
+  function apply_update {
+    apt-get install xrpld -qq
+  }
+elif [[ "$ID" == "fedora" || "$ID" == "centos" || "$ID" == "rhel" || "$ID" == "scientific" ]] ; then
+  RIPPLE_REPO=${RIPPLE_REPO-stable}
+  yum --disablerepo=* --enablerepo=ripple-$RIPPLE_REPO clean expire-cache
+
+  yum check-update -q --enablerepo=ripple-$RIPPLE_REPO xrpld || can_update=true
+
+  function apply_update {
+    yum update -y --enablerepo=ripple-$RIPPLE_REPO xrpld
+  }
+else
+  echo "unrecognized distro!"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+# Do the actual update and restart the service after reloading systemctl daemon.
+if [ "$can_update" = true ] ; then
+  exec 3>&1 1>>${UPDATELOG} 2>&1
+  set -e
+  apply_update
+  systemctl daemon-reload
+  systemctl restart xrpld.service
+  echo $(date -u) "xrpld daemon updated."
+else
+  echo $(date -u) "no updates available" >> $UPDATELOG
+fi
diff --git a/package/shared/xrpld.logrotate b/package/shared/xrpld.logrotate
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f27d493bc8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/shared/xrpld.logrotate
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+/var/log/xrpld/*.log {
+  daily
+  minsize 200M
+  rotate 7
+  nocreate
+  missingok
+  notifempty
+  compress
+  compresscmd /usr/bin/nice
+  compressoptions -n19 ionice -c3 gzip
+  compressext .gz
+  postrotate
+    /opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld --conf /etc/opt/xrpld/xrpld.cfg logrotate
+  endscript
+}
diff --git a/package/shared/xrpld.service b/package/shared/xrpld.service
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..30457d4227
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/shared/xrpld.service
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=XRP Ledger Daemon
+After=network-online.target
+Wants=network-online.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+ExecStart=/opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld --net --silent --conf /etc/opt/xrpld/xrpld.cfg
+Restart=on-failure
+User=xrpld
+Group=xrpld
+LimitNOFILE=65536
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
diff --git a/package/shared/xrpld.sysusers b/package/shared/xrpld.sysusers
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4547ac6f3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/shared/xrpld.sysusers
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+u xrpld - "XRP Ledger daemon" /var/lib/xrpld /sbin/nologin
diff --git a/package/shared/xrpld.tmpfiles b/package/shared/xrpld.tmpfiles
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..df4a33cda0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/shared/xrpld.tmpfiles
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+d /var/opt/ripple/lib 0750 xrpld xrpld -
+d /var/opt/ripple/log 0750 xrpld xrpld -
diff --git a/package/test/check_install_paths.sh b/package/test/check_install_paths.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..72f7fa9ad7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/test/check_install_paths.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env sh
+# Validate installed paths and compat symlinks for xrpld packages.
+
+set -e
+set -x
+trap 'test $? -ne 0 && touch /tmp/test_failed' EXIT
+
+check() { test $1 "$2" || { echo "FAIL: $1 $2"; exit 1; }; }
+check_resolves_to() {
+    actual=$(readlink -f "$1")
+    [ "$actual" = "$2" ] || { echo "FAIL: $1 resolves to $actual, expected $2"; exit 1; }
+}
+
+# var dirs (compat symlinks)
+check -L /var/log/rippled
+check -L /var/lib/rippled
+
+# compat directory symlinks — existence and resolved target
+check -L /opt/ripple
+check_resolves_to /opt/ripple /opt/xrpld
+
+check -L /etc/opt/xrpld
+check_resolves_to /etc/opt/xrpld /opt/xrpld/etc
+
+check -L /etc/opt/ripple
+check_resolves_to /etc/opt/ripple /opt/xrpld/etc
+
+# config accessible via all expected paths
+check -f /opt/xrpld/etc/xrpld.cfg
+check -f /opt/xrpld/etc/rippled.cfg
+check -f /etc/opt/xrpld/xrpld.cfg
+check -f /etc/opt/xrpld/rippled.cfg
+check -f /etc/opt/ripple/xrpld.cfg
+check -f /etc/opt/ripple/rippled.cfg
+
+if systemctl is-system-running >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    # service file sanity check
+    SERVICE=$(systemctl cat xrpld)
+    echo "$SERVICE" | grep -q 'ExecStart=/opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld' || { echo "FAIL: ExecStart wrong"; echo "$SERVICE"; exit 1; }
+    echo "$SERVICE" | grep -q 'User=xrpld' || { echo "FAIL: User not xrpld"; echo "$SERVICE"; exit 1; }
+fi
+
+# binary accessible via all expected paths
+/opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld    --version
+/opt/xrpld/bin/rippled   --version
+/opt/ripple/bin/xrpld    --version
+/opt/ripple/bin/rippled  --version
+/usr/bin/xrpld           --version
+/usr/bin/rippled         --version
+/usr/local/bin/rippled   --version
diff --git a/package/test/smoketest.sh b/package/test/smoketest.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..70355ff3c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package/test/smoketest.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Install a locally-built package and run basic verification.
+#
+# Usage: smoketest.sh local
+#   Expects packages in build/{dpkg,rpm}/packages/ or build/debbuild/ / build/rpmbuild/RPMS/
+
+set -x
+trap 'test $? -ne 0 && touch /tmp/test_failed' EXIT
+
+install_from=$1
+
+. /etc/os-release
+case ${ID} in
+    ubuntu|debian)
+        pkgtype="dpkg"
+        ;;
+    fedora|centos|rhel|rocky|almalinux)
+        pkgtype="rpm"
+        ;;
+    *)
+        echo "unrecognized distro!"
+        exit 1
+        ;;
+esac
+
+if [ "${install_from}" != "local" ]; then
+    echo "only 'local' install mode is supported"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Install the package
+if [ "${pkgtype}" = "dpkg" ] ; then
+    apt-get -y update
+    # Find .deb files — check both possible output locations
+    debs=$(find build/debbuild/ build/dpkg/packages/ -name '*.deb' ! -name '*dbgsym*' 2>/dev/null | head -5)
+    if [ -z "$debs" ]; then
+        echo "No .deb files found"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    dpkg --no-debsig -i $debs || apt-get -y install -f
+elif [ "${pkgtype}" = "rpm" ] ; then
+    # Find .rpm files — check both possible output locations
+    rpms=$(find build/rpmbuild/RPMS/ build/rpm/packages/ -name '*.rpm' \
+        ! -name '*debug*' ! -name '*devel*' ! -name '*.src.rpm' 2>/dev/null | head -5)
+    if [ -z "$rpms" ]; then
+        echo "No .rpm files found"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    rpm -i $rpms
+fi
+
+# Verify installed version
+VERSION_OUTPUT=$(/opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld --version)
+INSTALLED=$(echo "$VERSION_OUTPUT" | head -1 | awk '{print $NF}')
+echo "Installed version: ${INSTALLED}"
+
+# Run unit tests
+if [ -n "${CI:-}" ]; then
+    unittest_jobs=$(nproc)
+else
+    unittest_jobs=16
+fi
+
+cd /tmp
+/opt/xrpld/bin/xrpld --unittest --unittest-jobs ${unittest_jobs} > /tmp/unittest_results || true
+cd -
+
+num_failures=$(tail /tmp/unittest_results -n1 | grep -oP '\d+(?= failures)')
+if [ "${num_failures:-0}" -ne 0 ]; then
+    echo "$num_failures unit test(s) failed:"
+    grep 'failed:' /tmp/unittest_results
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Compat path checks
+"$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/check_install_paths.sh"