This guide explains how to install Arch Linux from scratch, covering disk partitioning, base system installation, and essential system configuration. This setup is ideal for users seeking a minimal and fully customizable Linux environment, ensuring maximum control, performance, and long-term maintainability.

1. Preparation

1.1 Installation USB

Write Arch Linux ISO to a USB drive:

sudo dd if=archlinux-2025.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync

💡 Tips:

  • if → input ISO file
  • of → target USB device (e.g., /dev/sdb)
  • bs=4M → block size
  • status=progress → show progress
  • oflag=sync → ensure all data is written

⚠️ Note: Double-check of=/dev/sdX. Wrong device = data loss.

1.2 Networking

  • Wired: plug in the Ethernet cable; DHCP should work automatically.
  • Wireless (live environment):
iwctl
station wlan0 connect yourssid
ping archlinux.org

💡 Tips: Ensure the network works before continuing.

1.3 Disk Partitioning

Partition the disk using fdisk (GPT):

sudo fdisk /dev/nvme0n1

Inside fdisk:

  • g → create GPT partition table
  • Create EFI partition (~512MB)
  • Create Root partition (remaining space)
  • w → write changes

💡 Tips: After partitioning, verify:

sudo fdisk -l /dev/nvme0n1

2. Filesystem & Mount Module

Format partitions:

mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/nvme0n1p1
mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme0n1p2

Mount partitions:

mount /dev/nvme0n1p2 /mnt
mkdir /mnt/boot
mount /dev/nvme0n1p1 /mnt/boot

💡 Tips: EFI partition must be mounted at /boot.

3. Mirror Optimization Module

Optimize mirrors for faster downloads:

reflector -c China -l 5 -f 5 --sort rate --save /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

💡 Tips: Use the fastest mirrors to speed up installation and updates.

4. Base System Module

Install base packages:

pacstrap /mnt base base-devel linux linux-firmware vim sudo

Optional packages:

pacstrap /mnt wpa_supplicant  # for wireless
pacstrap /mnt grub efibootmgr  # for bootloader

Generate fstab:

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

💡 Tips: fstab is essential for mounting partitions.

5. System Configuration Module

Enter the new system:

arch-chroot /mnt

5.1 Timezone

ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/Asia/Taipei /etc/localtime
hwclock --systohc

5.2 Localization

Edit /etc/locale.gen and uncomment:

en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8
zh_CN.UTF-8 UTF-8

Generate locales:

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

5.3 Hostname & Hosts

echo arch > /etc/hostname
cat <<EOF > /etc/hosts
127.0.0.1   localhost
::1         localhost
127.0.1.1   arch.localdomain arch
EOF

5.4 Root & User

passwd  # set root password
useradd -m -G wheel -s /bin/bash yourname
passwd yourname

Enable sudo for wheel group:

visudo
# uncomment: %wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL

💡 Tips: Avoid using root for daily operations.

6. Bootloader Module

Install GRUB for UEFI:

grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot --bootloader-id=GRUB
grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Exit and unmount:

exit
umount -R /mnt
reboot

💡 Tips: EFI partition must be mounted at /boot.

7. Network Module

7.1 Wireless

sudo wpa_passphrase "yourssid" "yourpassword" | sudo tee /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant-wlp2s0.conf
sudo systemctl enable --now wpa_supplicant@wlp2s0.service
sudo systemctl enable --now systemd-networkd

7.2 Wired

Create /etc/systemd/network/20-dhcp.network:

[Match]
Name=*

[Network]
DHCP=yes
LinkLocalAddressing=no
IPv6AcceptRA=no

Enable:

sudo systemctl enable --now systemd-networkd

7.3 DNS

sudo systemctl enable --now systemd-resolved
sudo ln -sf /run/systemd/resolve/stub-resolv.conf /etc/resolv.conf
resolvectl status

💡 Tips: Make sure resolv.conf points to systemd-resolved.

8. Backup & Rollback

8.1 Backup

sudo mkdir -p /root/backup
sudo cp /etc/fstab /root/backup/fstab.bak
sudo cp -r /etc/systemd/network /root/backup/network-config/
sudo cp /etc/hostname /root/backup/hostname.bak
sudo cp /etc/locale.conf /root/backup/locale.bak

8.2 Restore

sudo cp /root/backup/fstab.bak /etc/fstab
sudo cp /root/backup/hostname.bak /etc/hostname
sudo cp -r /root/backup/network-config/* /etc/systemd/network/
sudo systemctl restart systemd-networkd

💡 Tips: Backup before modifying critical configurations.

9. Troubleshooting

9.1 Network Issues

sudo systemctl status systemd-networkd
sudo systemctl status wpa_supplicant@wlp2s0.service
resolvectl status

9.2 GRUB Boot Failure

  • Check EFI partition is mounted at /boot
  • Verify GRUB installation:
ls /boot/EFI/GRUB

9.3 fstab Issues

  • Test mount:
sudo mount -a
  • Check UUIDs with blkid

9.4 Wireless Failure

  • Verify wpa_supplicant config
  • Check logs:
journalctl -xe

💡 Tips: Network setup must be configured correctly after first boot.