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Custom Arch Linux ISO

A customized Arch Linux live ISO with an automated installer that sets up a complete GNOME desktop environment tailored for development and creative work.

Overview

This project creates a bootable Arch Linux ISO (archlinux-baseline) with:

  • GNOME desktop environment with custom configurations
  • Comprehensive development tools (Rust, Python, Java IDEs)
  • Creative applications (Blender, GIMP, KiCad, OBS Studio)
  • Gaming support (Steam, Mangohud)
  • AMD GPU drivers pre-configured
  • Automated installation script

Prerequisites

To build this ISO, you need:

  • An Arch Linux system (or Arch-based distribution)
  • archiso package installed: sudo pacman -S archiso
  • just command runner: sudo pacman -S just
  • Sufficient disk space (~10GB for build artifacts)
  • Root/sudo privileges

Building the ISO

Use the Justfile to build the ISO:

just build

This will:

  1. Build the ISO using mkarchiso
  2. Output the ISO to the out/ directory

After building, you'll find the ISO file in the out/ directory:

out/archlinux-baseline-YYYY.MM.DD-x86_64.iso

Installing from the ISO

  1. Boot from the ISO - Boot the generated ISO on your target machine (requires UEFI boot mode)

  2. Automatic Installation - The ISO boots into a TTY (text console) and automatically runs the install-me.py installation script

  3. Disk Selection - The installer automatically detects and selects the most relevant disk:

    • Priority: NVMe > SSD > Largest disk
    • WARNING: The installer will WIPE the selected disk completely

  4. Confirmation - Review the detected disk and confirm the installation when prompted

  5. Installation Process - The script will install and configure the complete system as described below

  6. Reboot - After installation completes, reboot into your new system

Manual Installation

If you need to run the installer manually (e.g., after canceling the automatic run):

sudo /root/install-me.py

What the Installer Configures

The install-me.py script automatically configures a complete Arch Linux system with the following settings:

Partitioning Scheme

  • ESP (EFI System Partition): 1024 MiB, FAT32, mounted at /boot
  • Root Partition: Remaining disk space, ext4, mounted at /

System Configuration

  • Hostname: arch-lukas
  • Bootloader: systemd-boot (UEFI only)
  • Locale: German (de_DE.UTF-8) with English fallback (en_US.UTF-8)
  • Kernel: Linux kernel
  • Init System: systemd
  • Display Server: Xorg
  • Desktop Environment: GNOME with GDM display manager

User Accounts

User Password Privileges
lukas lukas Administrator (sudo)
root root Root access

⚠️ SECURITY NOTE: Change these default passwords immediately after installation!

Installed Packages

Desktop Environment

  • GNOME: Full GNOME desktop with most default applications
  • GDM: GNOME Display Manager
  • Extensions: Vitals, Tiling Assistant, Browser Connector

Development Tools

  • Languages & Runtimes: Rust (rustup), Python, Git
  • IDEs: RustRover, IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate, PyCharm Professional, Zed
  • Build Tools: Just, archiso

Creative Applications

  • 3D Modeling: Blender, OpenSCAD
  • 2D Graphics: GIMP
  • Video: OBS Studio, VLC
  • CAD/Electronics: KiCad, Prusa Slicer
  • 3D Printing: UVTools

Gaming

  • Platforms: Steam (with 32-bit library support)
  • Performance: MangoHud (with 32-bit support)
  • GPU: AMD Radeon drivers (Mesa, Vulkan)

Communication

  • Discord

System Utilities

  • Package Management: Multilib repository enabled
  • Network: NetworkManager
  • Audio: PipeWire with WirePlumber
  • File System: gvfs (with SMB, NFS, MTP support)
  • Virtualization: GNOME Boxes
  • Monitoring: htop, Resources
  • Archive Manager: Included with GNOME
  • Text Editors: nano, GNOME Text Editor

Automated Customizations

The installer automatically configures:

Git Configuration (for user lukas)

Rust Setup

  • Default toolchain: stable

GNOME Settings

  • Theme: Dark mode enabled
  • Desktop Background: Custom Hogwarts Legacy background
  • Clock: Show seconds in top bar
  • Power Management: Automatic suspend disabled
  • Keybindings: Screenshot UI on Ctrl+F12
  • Favorite Apps: Firefox, Console, Nautilus, Steam, Resources
  • Experimental Features: Variable refresh rate, Scale monitor framebuffer

Nautilus (File Manager)

  • Default view: List view (small, tree view enabled)
  • Show "Create Link" option
  • Show "Delete Permanently" option

GNOME Extensions

  • Tiling Assistant: Auto-enabled (popup and tile groups disabled)
  • Vitals: Auto-enabled for system monitoring
  • Launch New Instance: Auto-enabled

Enabled Services

  • NetworkManager (for network connectivity)
  • GDM (for graphical login)

Custom Repository

The system is configured with a custom package repository:

  • URL: https://repo.heili.eu/$arch
  • Contains additional packages not in official Arch repos

Boot Process

The ISO boots with:

  • Boot Mode: UEFI with systemd-boot
  • Boot Timeout: 15 seconds
  • Architecture: x86_64 only

File Structure

.
├── airootfs/              # Files copied to the live ISO root filesystem
│   └── root/
│       ├── install-me.py  # Automated installer script
│       └── rsc/           # Resources (backgrounds, etc.)
├── build.sh               # Build script
├── Justfile               # Just build recipe
├── profiledef.sh          # ISO profile definition
├── packages.x86_64        # Packages included in live ISO
├── pacman.conf            # Pacman configuration for building
├── bootstrap_packages.x86_64  # Bootstrap packages
├── efiboot/               # UEFI boot configuration
├── grub/                  # GRUB configuration (if used)
└── syslinux/              # Syslinux configuration

Post-Installation Steps

After installation, you should:

  1. Change default passwords:

    passwd          # Change root password
passwd lukas    # Change user password

  2. Update the system:

    sudo pacman -Syu

  3. Configure git (if needed):

    git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

  4. Install additional software as needed:

    sudo pacman -S <package-name>

Customization

To customize this ISO for your needs:

  1. Modify packages: Edit packages.x86_64 for live ISO packages, or modify the packages property in airootfs/root/install-me.py for installed system packages

  2. Change installer behavior: Edit airootfs/root/install-me.py to modify:

    • User credentials
    • Hostname
    • Partitioning scheme
    • Desktop settings
    • Installed packages

  3. Update profile settings: Edit profiledef.sh to change:

    • ISO name and label
    • Publisher information
    • Boot modes

  4. Rebuild: After making changes, rebuild with ./build.sh or just build

Notes

  • The installer is destructive and will wipe the selected disk
  • BIOS/Legacy boot is not supported (UEFI only)
  • The system is optimized for AMD Radeon GPUs (but should work with other GPUs)
  • Some packages (RustRover, IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate, PyCharm Professional) require licenses

License

This is a custom Arch Linux configuration. Arch Linux itself is under various open source licenses. Check individual package licenses for details.

Credits