How to install Arch Linux (Manual & Script Way)

On this wiki page, I will show you my methods for installing Arch Linux using both the manual and script options.

For most users, I recommend the script option, but if you want to make it a little more complicated, there is also a manual option.

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1. Manual Way

0. 🧠 ~ Introduction

This section describes the complete manual installation process of Arch Linux, explaining each step in detail and giving the user full control over system setup.

Arch Linux is a minimalist Linux distribution that does not include a graphical installer. Instead, the user installs and configures the system manually using the command line. This approach provides maximum control and flexibility, but it also requires attention and understanding of each installation step.

Manual installation is recommended if you want:

• a clean and minimal system

• full control over disk layout and packages

• deeper understanding of how Linux works internally

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1. 📥 ~ Preparation

This section covers everything needed before installation, including downloading the ISO and preparing bootable installation media.

1.1. Downloading and creating installation media

This subsection explains how to download the Arch Linux ISO and create a bootable USB drive.

1. Download the Arch ISO

2. Create a bootable USB drive:

dd bs=4M if=/path/to/archlinux.iso of=/dev/sdX status=progress oflag=sync

Explanation:

• if= — input file (ISO image),

• of= — output device (USB drive, e.g. /dev/sdb),

• bs=4M — block size for faster writing,

• status=progress — shows progress,

• oflag=sync — ensures data is written correctly.

⚠️ WARNING: This command will erase all data on the target USB drive.

Tip: Or you can use GUI apps like Balena Etcher or Rufus.

1. Boot from the USB drive in UEFI mode (recommended).

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2. 🖥️ ~ Live Environment & Basic Setup

This section describes the initial setup steps performed in the live Arch Linux environment after booting from the installation media.

After booting, you will see a terminal prompt like:

root@archiso ~ #

2.1. Keyboard Layout

This subsection explains how to list and set the correct keyboard layout in the live environment.

List available keymaps:

localectl list-keymaps | less

Set your keyboard layout (example: Slovak):

loadkeys sk-qwertz

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2.2. Internet Connection

This subsection shows how to connect to the internet using either Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

Wired (Ethernet): usually works automatically.

Wireless (Wi-Fi):

iwctl
device list
station <device> scan
station <device> get-networks
station <device> connect "<SSID>"

Test connectivity:

ping archlinux.org

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3. 🛠️ ~ Disk Partitioning (using cfdisk)

This section explains how to prepare the disk by creating partitions for the operating system.

Before partitioning, list all available storage devices:

lsblk

This command displays all detected disks and partitions. Identify the disk where Arch Linux will be installed (e.g. /dev/sda, /dev/nvme0n1).

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3.1. Starting cfdisk

This subsection shows how to launch the cfdisk partitioning tool for the selected disk.

Launch the partition editor:

cfdisk

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3.2. Selecting Partition Table Type

This subsection explains how to choose the appropriate partition table, typically GPT for UEFI systems.

If the disk is empty or uninitialized, cfdisk will ask for a partition table type.

Select:

GPT

Why GPT?

• Required for UEFI systems.

• Supports modern disks and large capacities.

• More robust than MBR.

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3.3. Creating Partitions (UEFI layout)

This subsection describes how to create the required EFI and root partitions using cfdisk.

Inside cfdisk, you will see an interactive TUI (text-based interface).

My UEFI partition layout:

Partition	Size	Type	Mount point
EFI	1 GB	Linux filesystem	/mnt/boot/efi
Swap	4 GB	Linux filesystem	[SWAP]
Root	Remaining	Linux filesystem	/

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Step-by-step:

1. Select Free Space

2. Choose [ Write ] and type yes

3. Again select Free Space and choose [ New ]

4. Enter size (1G)

5. Again select Free Space and choose [ New ]

6. Enter size (4G)

7. Again select Free Space and choose [ New ]

8. Enter size (remaining size e.g. 100G)

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3.4. Writing Changes to Disk

This subsection explains how to save the partition layout and apply changes to the disk.

After creating all partitions:

1. Select [ Write ] on the root partition

2. Type yes to confirm

3. Select [ Quit ]

⚠️ WARNING: Writing the partition table will permanently modify the disk and erase existing data.

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3.5. Verify Result

This subsection shows how to verify the newly created partitions.

After exiting cfdisk, verify the layout:

lsblk

You should now see something like:

• /dev/sdX1 - EFI System partition

• /dev/sdX2 - Swap partition

• /dev/sdX3 - Root partition

If you have NVMe drive, instead of /dev/sdX you will have /dev/nvme0nXpX

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Why I use cfdisk instead of fdisk?

• Interactive interface (no memorizing commands).

• Clear overview of partitions.

• Safer and more intuitive for beginners.

• Faster to use for standard layouts.

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4. 📂 ~ Formatting & Mounting

This section covers formatting the partitions and mounting them to prepare for system installation.

Format root partition (ext4 example):

mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdX3

Format EFI partition:

mkfs.fat -F 32 /dev/sdX1

Format Swap partition:

mkswap /dev/sdX2

Mount root:

mount /dev/sdX3 /mnt

Create and mount EFI directory:

mkdir -p /mnt/boot/efi
mount /dev/sdX1 /mnt/boot/efi

Mount Swap partition:

swapon /dev/sdX2

Check if you mounted correctly:

lsblk

You should now see something like:

NAME	MAJ:MIN	RM	SIZE	RO	TYPE MOUNTPOINTS
sdX	8:0	0	100G	0	disk
sdX1	8:1	0	1G	0	part /mnt/boot/efi
sdX2	8:2	0	4G	0	part [SWAP]
sdX3	8:3	0	95G	0	part /mnt

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5. 📦 ~ Installing the Base System

This section explains how to install the core Arch Linux packages into the mounted filesystem.

Install essential packages:

pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware

Explanation:

• base — essential system packages,

• linux — Linux kernel,

• linux-firmware — firmware for hardware devices,

• (Optional - recommended for development) base-devel - essential development tools required for building and compiling software from source.

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6. 📑 ~ Generating fstab

This section describes how to generate the filesystem table used during system boot.

genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab

What this does: Generates the filesystem table (fstab), which tells the system which partitions to mount during boot.

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7. 🧠 ~ Chroot into the New System

This section explains how to enter the newly installed system environment for further configuration.

arch-chroot /mnt

This switches the root directory to the newly installed system, allowing you to configure it as if it were already running.

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7.1. (Optional) Install essential packages

Packages that I install and also recommend to you:

pacman -S sof-firmware grub networkmanager efibootmgr nano

Explanation:

• sof-firmware — firmware required for sound devices using Sound Open Firmware,

• grub — a bootloader used to load the operating system at startup,

• networkmanager — a service for managing network connections automatically,

• efibootmgr — a tool for managing UEFI boot entries,

• nano — a simple and beginner-friendly terminal text editor.

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8. 🌍 ~ System Configuration

This section covers essential system settings such as time zone, language, and hostname.

8.1. Time Zone

This subsection explains how to set the correct system time zone.

ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/Area/Location /etc/localtime
hwclock --systohc

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8.2. Locale Settings

This subsection describes how to configure system language and locale settings.

Edit locale configuration:

nano /etc/locale.gen

Uncomment and save:

en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8

(or another locale you prefer)

Generate locales:

locale-gen

Set system language:

echo "LANG=en_US.UTF-8" > /etc/locale.conf

Set console keyboard layout

echo "KEYMAP=sk-qwertz" > /etc/vconsole.conf

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8.3. Hostname

This subsection explains how to set the system hostname.

Set system hostname:

echo "archlinux" > /etc/hostname

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9. 🔐 ~ Root Password

This section explains how to set a secure password for the root user.

Set root password:

passwd

9.1. Add user account & set password

Add user account:

useradd -m -G wheel -s /bin/bash <username>

Set user password:

passwd <username>

9.2. Edit visudo file

Type:

EDITOR=nano visudo

and find the line with the word wheel

Uncomment and save:

%wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL

9.3. Log in to your user and test the sudo command

Type:

su <username>

And for the test, type:

sudo pacman -Syu

If everything works, come back to the chroot typing:

exit

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10. 🧰 ~ Core Systemd Services (Optional) & Bootloader installation

This section describes how to install and configure a bootloader and enabling some systemd services so the system can start correctly.

To enable the networkmanager package (if you have installed it), type:

systemctl enable NetworkManager

10.1. Installing systemd-boot or GRUB bootloader

systemd-boot:

Install bootloader:

bootctl install

Edit loader configuration:

nano /boot/loader/loader.conf

Example configuration:

default  arch
timeout  3
editor   no

Explanation:

• default — default boot entry,

• timeout — seconds before auto-boot,

• editor — disables kernel parameter editing at boot.

Create a boot entry:

nano /boot/loader/entries/arch.conf

Example configuration:

title   Arch Linux
linux   /vmlinuz-linux
initrd  /initramfs-linux.img
options root=PARTUUID=XXXX rw

Important:

Replace PARTUUID=XXXX with the actual PARTUUID of your root partition:

blkid

GRUB:

Install bootloader:

grub-install /dev/sdX

If you have NVMe drive, instead of /dev/sdX you will have /dev/nvme0nX

Generate a config file:

grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

And that's it, you have successfully installed Arch Linux manually. Now after rebooting, all you have to do is install some desktop environment and basic applications and you're done. Congrats! :)

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🧩 ~ Command Explanations

This section provides brief explanations of important commands used during installation.

What is pacstrap?

Installs packages into the mounted target system.

What is genfstab?

Automatically creates a filesystem mount configuration.

What is arch-chroot?

Changes the root environment so you can configure the installed system.

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⚠️ ~ Important Notes

This section highlights common risks, warnings, and best practices to avoid data loss or installation issues.

• Manual installation can destroy existing data if disks are partitioned incorrectly.

• Always double-check device names (/dev/sdX).

• Back up important data before proceeding.

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2. Script Way

This section provides an automated approach to installing Arch Linux using custom scripts, designed to simplify and speed up the installation process while still allowing customization. In this part, I'll show you what scripts do I use or I tested and how do I install Arch Linux through them.

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1. 💻 ~ ArchInstall (official Arch Linux install script)

1. Boot into the Arch Linux live environment from your installation media.

2. Ensure you have a working internet connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi). For Wi-Fi, use iwctl to connect.

3. Run the Archinstall script:

archinstall

1. Follow the interactive prompts:

• Choose language and keyboard layout,

• Select installation type (guided, custom, etc.),

• Partition disks automatically or manually,

• Select desktop environment and packages,

• Configure user account and root password,

• Setup bootloader (systemd-boot or GRUB).

1. Confirm all your choices and start the installation.

2. Wait for the script to complete the installation.

3. Reboot into your new Arch Linux system.

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Additional tips

• For advanced options or unattended installations, you can prepare a JSON configuration file and pass it to Archinstall.

• Archinstall supports UEFI and BIOS systems.

• You can customize partition schemes, package selections, and network settings.

• And my recommendation, I recommend editing the /etc/pacman.conf file and finding the SigLevel line and instead of Required DatabaseOptional, change it to Never and save the file.

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2. 💻 ~ Trinteen's ArchInstall

1. Boot into the Arch Linux live environment from your installation media.

2. Ensure you have a working internet connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi). For Wi-Fi, use iwctl to connect.

3. Download git and clone the script repository:

pacman -S git
git clone https://github.com/trinteen/archinstall

1. Enter to directory:

cd archinstall

1. Run:

sh start.sh

1. Confirm all your choices and start the installation.

2. Wait for the script to complete the installation.

3. Reboot into your new Arch Linux system.

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3. 💻 ~ ChrisTitusTech's ArchTitus

Now, his ArchTitus (Arch Server) script is located in his own Linux Utilization script.

1. Boot into the Arch Linux live environment from your installation media.

2. Ensure you have a working internet connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi). For Wi-Fi, use iwctl to connect.

3. Type:

curl -fsSL https://christitus.com/linux | sh

1. Step into System Setup folder.

2. In this folder there is an Arch subfolder, select it.

3. And in this subfolder select Arch Server Setup, type y on the keyboard, fill in the basic info and wait.

4. After the installation is complete, exit LinUtil and restart the system.

5. And after restarting, just install the desktop environment and you're done.

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🎯 ~ Conclusion

This guide covered both the manual and scripted ways to install Arch Linux, providing detailed step-by-step instructions, explanations of commands, and configuration tips. Whether you prefer full control through manual installation or the convenience of automated scripts like Archinstall, this wiki equips you with the knowledge to set up a customized and functional Arch Linux system. Always remember to back up your data and carefully review each step to ensure a smooth installation process.