Arch Linux Setup

A comprehensive setup package for Arch Linux that automates the installation and configuration of essential tools, development environments, and security features.

Fresh Installation from USB

Prerequisites

1. Download the latest Arch Linux ISO from archlinux.org
2. Create a bootable USB stick using tools like dd or balenaEtcher
3. Ensure you have an active internet connection

Installation Steps

1. Boot from the USB stick and follow the initial Arch Linux installation:

   # Connect to the internet (if using WiFi)
   iwctl
   device list
   station wlan0 connect <SSID>
   
   # Update the system clock
   timedatectl set-ntp true
   
   # Partition your disk (example for UEFI)
   parted /dev/sda mklabel gpt
   parted /dev/sda mkpart ESP fat32 1MiB 513MiB
   parted /dev/sda set 1 boot on
   parted /dev/sda mkpart primary ext4 513MiB 100%
   
   # Format partitions
   mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sda1
   mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda2
   
   # Mount partitions
   mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
   mkdir /mnt/boot
   mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot
   
   # Install base system
   pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware
   
   # Generate fstab
   genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab
   
   # Change root into the new system
   arch-chroot /mnt

2. Set up the new system:

   # Set timezone
   ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/Region/City /etc/localtime
   hwclock --systohc
   
   # Set locale
   echo "en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8" >> /etc/locale.gen
   locale-gen
   echo "LANG=en_US.UTF-8" > /etc/locale.conf
   
   # Set hostname
   echo "your-hostname" > /etc/hostname
   
   # Set root password
   passwd
   
   # Install bootloader (for UEFI)
   pacman -S grub efibootmgr
   grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot --bootloader-id=GRUB
   grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
   
   # Create a new user
   useradd -m -G wheel -s /bin/bash yourusername
   passwd yourusername
   
   # Enable sudo for wheel group
   echo "%wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL" >> /etc/sudoers

3. Exit chroot and reboot:

   exit
   umount -R /mnt
   reboot

4. After reboot, log in as your new user and install this setup package:

   # Install git
   sudo pacman -S git
   
   # Clone and run this setup
   git clone https://github.com/jaredgoldman/arch-setup.git
   cd arch-setup
   ./bootstrap.sh

Features

Development Environment

• Node.js & npm

  • Latest Node.js runtime
  • Global packages: typescript, ts-node, nodemon, eslint, prettier
  • Yarn package manager

• Python & Poetry

  • Python development environment
  • Poetry for dependency management
  • Common development tools: black, flake8, mypy, pytest, ipython

Modern CLI Tools

• File Navigation & Management

  • exa - Modern replacement for ls
  • fd - Alternative to find
  • bat - Better cat with syntax highlighting
  • zoxide - Smarter cd command
  • fzf - Fuzzy finder

• System Monitoring

  • bottom - System monitor
  • btop - Advanced system monitor
  • procs - Modern ps alternative
  • tldr - Simplified man pages

Security Tools

• Password Management

  • pass - Password manager
  • gpg - Encryption support

• System Security

  • ufw - Simple firewall
  • clamav - Antivirus scanner
  • openssh - SSH client/server

Cloud & Development Tools

• AWS CLI
  • AWS Command Line Interface
  • Bash completion
  • Secure credential management

Fonts & Typography

• Programming Fonts

  • Fira Code
  • JetBrains Mono
  • Hack
  • Roboto
  • Ubuntu Font Family

• Icon Fonts

  • Font Awesome

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/jaredgoldman/arch-setup.git
   cd arch-setup

2. Run the bootstrap script:

   ./bootstrap.sh

The bootstrap script will:

• Install required packages
• Set up development environments
• Configure CLI tools
• Set up security features
• Configure AWS CLI
• Install and configure fonts

Configuration

AWS CLI

After installation, add your AWS credentials to ~/.aws/credentials:

[default]
aws_access_key_id = YOUR_ACCESS_KEY
aws_secret_access_key = YOUR_SECRET_KEY

Security Tools

• GPG key will be generated during setup
• UFW firewall will be configured with basic rules
• ClamAV will be set up with automatic updates

Development Environment

• Node.js and Python environments are configured automatically
• Poetry is configured to use project-based virtual environments
• Common development tools are installed globally

Usage

CLI Tools

• Use ls for exa with better formatting
• Use cat for bat with syntax highlighting
• Use z instead of cd for smarter directory navigation
• Press Ctrl+R for fuzzy history search with fzf
• Use btop or bottom for system monitoring

Development

• Use poetry for Python project management
• Use npm or yarn for Node.js development
• AWS CLI commands have bash completion

Directory Structure

arch-setup/
├── bootstrap.sh           # Main installation script
├── install/
│   ├── config/           # Configuration files
│   ├── profiles/         # System profiles
│   ├── scripts/          # Setup scripts
│   └── configs/          # Additional configurations
└── packages/
    ├── pkglist.txt       # Combined package list
    ├── aur-packages.txt  # AUR packages
    └── pacman-packages.txt # Pacman packages

Contributing

Feel free to submit issues and enhancement requests!

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.