swf.wtf
Feb 25, 2026 guide arch linux beginner

Arch Linux Install Guide for Beginners.
// based on ArchWiki, zero mystery.

This is a beginner-oriented path based on ArchWiki. You get a reliable archinstall route first, plus the manual commands so you understand what is happening.

# ip link
confirm network interface
# timedatectl
clock synced
# archinstall
// contents
Before you start Boot live ISO + network Beginner path: archinstall Manual path (learning mode) First boot checklist Common issues ArchWiki sources

Before you start

// disk warning
Commands like partitioning and formatting are destructive. Double-check device names before pressing Enter.

Boot live ISO + network

live environment 
ip link                 # verify NIC
ping -c 3 archlinux.org # check internet
timedatectl              # check time sync status
timedatectl set-ntp true # ensure NTP is enabled
wifi via iwctl 
iwctl
device list
station wlan0 scan
station wlan0 get-networks
station wlan0 connect YOUR_SSID
exit

Beginner path: archinstall

This is the path most beginners should use first. It follows ArchWiki guidance while reducing manual error surface.

launch installer 
archinstall
// if command is missing
Use pacman -Sy archinstall in the live ISO, then run archinstall again.

Suggested choices

  • Language/keyboard: your normal locale.
  • Mirrors: pick your region or fastest list.
  • Disk config: automatic (for first install).
  • Filesystem: ext4 (simple and stable).
  • Bootloader: systemd-boot (UEFI).

User/system basics

  • Create a regular user and set password.
  • Set root password too.
  • Choose NetworkManager profile.
  • Desktop profile optional; minimal install is fine.
  • Enable SSH only if you need it now.
finish install 
reboot

Manual path (learning mode)

If you want to learn the classic Arch flow, this is the command skeleton from the installation guide sequence.

partition + format + mount (example) 
fdisk -l

# example target disk: /dev/sda
# create EFI + swap + root partitions with cfdisk
cfdisk /dev/sda

# in cfdisk create:
# /dev/sda1  512M   EFI System
# /dev/sda2  8G     Linux swap
# /dev/sda3  rest   Linux filesystem
# then Write -> yes -> Quit

mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sda1
mkswap /dev/sda2
swapon /dev/sda2
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda3
mount /dev/sda3 /mnt
mkdir /mnt/boot
mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot
base system 
pacstrap -K /mnt base linux linux-firmware
genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab
arch-chroot /mnt
if keyring errors appear (older ISO) 
# run this in the live ISO shell, then retry base system install
# If keyring errors appear on an older ISO, reset keyring:
killall gpg-agent
rm -rf /etc/pacman.d/gnupg
pacman-key --init
pacman-key --populate archlinux
pacman -Sy archlinux-keyring
inside chroot: timezone + locale 
ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/Region/City /etc/localtime
hwclock --systohc
pacman -S --needed neovim

# Uncomment your locale, e.g. en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8
nvim /etc/locale.gen
locale-gen

# create /etc/locale.conf with:
# LANG=en_US.UTF-8
nvim /etc/locale.conf

# create /etc/vconsole.conf with:
# KEYMAP=us
nvim /etc/vconsole.conf
inside chroot: hostname 
# create /etc/hostname with:
# archbox
nvim /etc/hostname

# create /etc/hosts with:
# 127.0.0.1 localhost
# ::1 localhost
# 127.0.1.1 archbox.localdomain archbox
nvim /etc/hosts
inside chroot: network + users 
pacman -S --needed networkmanager sudo
systemctl enable NetworkManager

# Set root password
passwd

# Create user (replace steve)
useradd -m -G wheel -s /bin/bash steve
passwd steve

# In visudo, uncomment:
# %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL
EDITOR=nvim visudo
inside chroot: systemd-boot (UEFI) 
bootctl install
ROOT_PARTUUID=$(blkid -s PARTUUID -o value /dev/sda3)

# open /boot/loader/loader.conf and paste these lines exactly (no #):
default arch.conf
timeout 3
editor 0
nvim /boot/loader/loader.conf

# open /boot/loader/entries/arch.conf and paste these lines exactly (no #):
title Arch Linux
linux /vmlinuz-linux
initrd /initramfs-linux.img
replace <ROOT_PARTUUID> below with the value from the command above
options root=PARTUUID=<ROOT_PARTUUID> rw
nvim /boot/loader/entries/arch.conf
finish manual install 
exit
umount -R /mnt
reboot
// practical note
For first install, do one clean archinstall run. Then try manual install on a VM to learn each step without stress.

First boot checklist

after login 
sudo pacman -Syu
sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel git neovim
sudo systemctl enable --now NetworkManager
optional quality of life 
sudo pacman -S zsh tmux ripgrep fd

Common issues

No internet in live ISO
Run ip link. For Wi-Fi, use iwctl. Re-test with ping -c 3 archlinux.org.
Boot fails after install
Most often wrong bootloader target, wrong EFI mountpoint, or boot mode mismatch (UEFI vs legacy).
Wrong disk got formatted
Stop immediately. On next attempt, map device names with fdisk -l and unplug external drives during install.

ArchWiki sources