OS Setup - Flottegurke/dotfiles GitHub Wiki

This is a quick guide on how I install Arch Linux to work smoothly with my dotfiles.

Caution

This is a quick-install guide intended for users already somewhat familiar with Arch.
If you’re not experienced yet, I strongly recommend learning about Arch first - it’s not beginner-friendly, but it’s flexible once you know what you’re doing.

If you don’t want to invest that time (totally understandable!), I recommend more beginner-friendly distros like Fedora. As long as your distro supports hyprland, most of the dotfiles should also work there (see HyprlandWiki - Distros).

1️⃣ Partitioning

If you want to dual boot, allocate at least 40GB of free space for arch using your existing OS (e.g., on Windows: use diskmgmt.msc or MiniTool Partition Wizard).

Tip

If resizing on windows fails, run:

powercfg /h off
chkdsk C: /f /r

in an admin terminal.

2️⃣ Create a Bootable USB

Download the Arch Linux ISO.
Use Rufus (on Windows) to make a bootable pen drive.
- For dual booting with Windows, choose GPT as the partition scheme to avoid UEFI issues.

3️⃣ Configure you existing OS

Backup

Before dual booting, back up your current OS.

On Windows, create a System Restore Point.

Disable Disk Encryption

Disk encryption can interfere with the installation.

On Windows, turn off Bit-locker. (See How to disable Bit-locker ).

4️⃣ BIOS Settings

Boot into your BIOS/UEFI. (On HP: mash ESC while powering on.)
Disable Secure Boot, this is critical for booting into your USB.
Adjust boot order: your USB drive must be above the OS Boot Manager.
(Alternatively, use your boot menu each time.)

5️⃣ Basic Setup (Live USB)

Boot into the Arch live environment.
Connect to the internet (check connection with with ping google.de).

Tip

To increase console font:

setfont ter-132n

Use iwctl to connect to Wi-Fi (See How to use iwctl)

Sync package databases:
```
pacman -Sy
```
Install Arch keyring:
```
pacman -S archlinux-keyring
```
Install/Update Archinstall:
```
pacman -S archinstall
```

6️⃣ Partition Disks (for Dual Boot only)

If dual booting:

Identify your volume:
```
lsblk
```
Start partition manager:
```
cfdisk /dev/<IDENTIFIER>
```
Create:
- 1GB: EFI System partition
- Remaining space: Linux filesystem
Exit the partition manager

Format:

mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/<UEFIPartitionIdentifier>
mkfs.ext4 /dev/<FilesystemPartitionIdentifier>

Mount:

mount /dev/<FilesystemPartitionIdentifier> /mnt
mkdir /mnt/boot
mount /dev/<UEFIPartitionIdentifier> /mnt/boot

Verify with lsblk.

7️⃣ Using the Archinstall Script

Start archinstall:
```
archinstall
```
Set language, keyboard layout, and locales.

Tip

Press / to search for options

Pick mirrors near you.
Disk configuration:
- Dual boot: choose Pre-mounted configuration -> /mnt
- Otherwise: choose Use best-effort default partition layout
Optional: enable disk encryption.
Enable Swap.
Boot loader: GRUB.
Set host-name you want
Create root password and user account (with superuser rights is recommended).
Profile -> Type:
- Desktop
- DE: GNOME (good fallback if Hyprland breaks)
- Graphics driver: Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA
- Greeter: gdm for GNOME
Audio: pipewire.
Kernels: linux.
Network config: Use NetworkManager
Additional packages: skip unless you’re sure

Caution

typos in package names can break installs!

Enable multilib for 32-bit apps (e.g., Steam)
Enable NTP time sync
Double-check everything , then install!

8️⃣ Post-Install Steps (GRUB Fix)

If dual booting with Windows:

When prompted for post-install steps: select Yes.
Update system:
```
pacman -Syu
```

Install GRUB:

pacman -S grub efibootmgr dosfstools mtools
grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot --bootloader-id=GRUB
grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Install Flatpak:
```
pacman -S flatpak
```

🐞 Potential Bug Fixes

Exit chroot and reboot:
```
exit
reboot now
```
Remember to eject your USB drive.
If GRUB doesn’t appear, check boot order in BIOS.
If you see a kernel panic on boot:
- Restart and select Advanced options for Arch Linux → Fallback mode.
- Log in and reboot once more.

9️⃣ Install Hyprland

Now that everything works:

Log into GNOME
Install hyprland, kitty and rofi:
```
sudo pacman -S hyprland kitty rofi
```
Open ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf, change $menu = wofi --show drun to:
```
$menu = rofi -show drun
```
Log into Hyprland (logout of GNOME, choose Hyprland before Longing in)

Now that Arch is setup, you can see how to apply the dotfiles in the Setup Guide page