How to install Artix Linux

Artix Linux is a rolling-release Linux distribution based on Arch Linux that removes systemd and instead supports multiple init systems:

  • OpenRC (most beginner-friendly)
  • Runit
  • s6
  • Dinit

Most Arch Linux documentation also applies to Artix, with the primary difference being service management and the installation tools.

This guide installs:

  • UEFI boot
  • GPT partition table
  • GRUB bootloader
  • Linux kernel
  • OpenRC (recommended for beginners)
  • NetworkManager
  • KDE Plasma (optional desktop)
  • Basic development tools
Step 1 – Download Artix

Download the latest ISO from the official Artix website.

Recommended editions:

  • Base ISO – full manual installation
  • Graphical ISO – Calamares installer
  • Community ISO – preconfigured desktop

For learning Linux, the Base ISO is recommended.

Step 2 – Create Bootable USB

On Linux:

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

Replace:

  • /dev/sdX with your USB device

Alternatively use:

  • Ventoy
  • Balena Etcher
  • Rufus (Windows)
Step 3 – Boot the Installer

Boot from USB.

Verify network connectivity:

ping archlinux.org

If using Ethernet it usually works automatically.

For Wi-Fi:

nmtui

or configure manually.

Step 4 – Verify Boot Mode
ls /sys/firmware/efi

If the directory exists, you’re booted in UEFI mode.

Step 5 – Partition the Disk

View drives:

lsblk

Launch cfdisk:

cfdisk /dev/nvme0n1

Example layout:

EFI System Partition

  • 512 MB
  • FAT32

Root

  • Remaining space
  • Linux filesystem

Optional:

Home partition

Swap partition

Step 6 – Format Partitions

EFI:

mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/nvme0n1p1

Root:

mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme0n1p2

Swap:

mkswap /dev/nvme0n1p3
swapon /dev/nvme0n1p3
Step 7 – Mount Filesystems
mount /dev/nvme0n1p2 /mnt

mkdir -p /mnt/boot/efi

mount /dev/nvme0n1p1 /mnt/boot/efi
Step 8 – Install Base System

Install the base packages:

basestrap /mnt base base-devel linux linux-firmware

Install OpenRC:

basestrap /mnt openrc elogind-openrc

You can substitute openrc with runit, dinit, or s6 if preferred.

Step 9 – Generate fstab
fstabgen -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab

Verify:

cat /mnt/etc/fstab
Step 10 – Chroot
artix-chroot /mnt
Step 11 – Time Zone

Example:

ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/America/New_York /etc/localtime

Generate hardware clock:

hwclock --systohc
Step 12 – Locale

Edit:

nano /etc/locale.gen

Uncomment:

en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8

Generate:

locale-gen

Create locale configuration:

echo LANG=en_US.UTF-8 > /etc/locale.conf
Step 13 – Hostname
echo mypc > /etc/hostname

Edit hosts:

nano /etc/hosts

Contents:

127.0.0.1 localhost
::1 localhost
127.0.1.1 mypc.localdomain mypc
Step 14 – Root Password
passwd
Step 15 – Create User
useradd -m -G wheel username

passwd username

Enable sudo:

EDITOR=nano visudo

Uncomment:

%wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL
Step 16 – Install Bootloader

Install packages:

pacman -S grub efibootmgr os-prober

Install GRUB:

grub-install \
--target=x86_64-efi \
--efi-directory=/boot/efi \
--bootloader-id=GRUB

Generate configuration:

grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
Step 17 – Networking

Install:

pacman -S networkmanager

For OpenRC:

rc-update add NetworkManager default
Step 18 – Install Useful Packages
pacman -S

nano

vim

git

wget

curl

htop

bash-completion

openssh
Step 19 – Graphics Drivers

Intel:

pacman -S mesa intel-media-driver vulkan-intel

AMD:

pacman -S mesa vulkan-radeon

NVIDIA:

pacman -S nvidia nvidia-utils
Step 20 – Install Xorg
pacman -S xorg xorg-server xorg-xinit
Step 21 – Install KDE Plasma
pacman -S plasma kde-applications sddm

Enable display manager:

rc-update add sddm default
Step 22 – Audio

Install PipeWire:

pacman -S

pipewire

pipewire-pulse

wireplumber
Step 23 – Fonts
pacman -S

noto-fonts

ttf-dejavu

ttf-liberation
Step 24 – Enable Services

Examples:

rc-update add dbus default

rc-update add elogind default

rc-update add NetworkManager default

rc-update add sddm default
Step 25 – Exit
exit

umount -R /mnt

reboot

Remove the installation USB when prompted.

Updating the System
sudo pacman -Syu
Installing the AUR Helper

Clone and build yay:

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git

cd yay

makepkg -si
Common Useful Packages

Development:

gcc

clang

cmake

python

rust

go

Utilities:

firefox

vlc

gimp

libreoffice

keepassxc

Terminal:

kitty

alacritty

tmux

zsh

fish
Security Recommendations
  • Use a normal user account for daily work.
  • Keep the system updated regularly with pacman -Syu.
  • Enable the firewall (e.g., ufw or nftables).
  • Install CPU microcode updates (intel-ucode or amd-ucode) if applicable.
  • Use full-disk encryption (LUKS) for laptops if you need data protection.
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