It appears Linux root-on-ZFS is a mess. No standard way to do it. Kernel updates require recompiling ZFS. Boot environments are a cornucopia of constantly evolving hacks.
If you're actually using #ZFS on root, on #Debian, what's your preferred hack to make that happen? #sysadmin
I suspect #openzfsmastery might need to assume root on extFS and data on ZFS, leaving root-on-ZFS for the advanced user or a terminal chapter. 
@mwl How I do it:
https://github.com/ChibaPet/install-debian-zfs-sysvinit
The essential trick is a metapackage to prevent installation a kernel for which I don't have a kmod built. Pretty straightforward.
I don't have boot environment automation but I've never found myself wanting it. That said, it could be done with fairly minimal initramfs hackery. /boot is on ext4 but it could be on a bootpool. I should probably migrate to that.
A nicer, more automated installer is in the works. And yes, FreeBSD is sleeker, but then I get remote unlock for free with dropbear-initramfs.
@mwl not on Debian but on Void Linux: https://it-notes.dragas.net/2025/12/22/void-linux-zfs-hibernation-guide/
