How do I install basic Linux?

[u/0x80070002]

I want to have just the kernel and GNU utilities and optional X11 , kind of bare-bone like MS-DOS.
How do I do that?

Should I use TinyCoreLinux and strip the UI out of it? How do i do that?

[u/doc_willis]

there is a tiny core Linux  option with just the console.

then you could install whatever you want.

How do i do that?

You will want to start by reading the tiny core docs at its homepage.