ALCI or Arch Linux Calamares Installer is a project designed to simplify the process of installing Arch Linux by utilizing the Calamares installer. This approach is particularly appealing for users who find the traditional Arch Linux installation method—often referred to as “The Arch Way“—to be too complex or time-consuming. The Calamares installer offers a graphical interface, making the installation process more accessible to a broader range of users.

The ALCI project allows for the creation of custom Arch Linux ISOs with a focus on flexibility and user preference. It enables users to include their choice of packages from the Arch Linux and AUR repositories, providing a personalized Linux distribution. The project also supports the creation of ISOs based on different kernels, such as the hardened kernel, and allows for various desktop environments and window managers to be included, such as Cinnamon, Bspwm, Mate, Qtile, or Xfce4 with Awesome. Users have the freedom to build their distribution without the inclusion of ArcoLinux or Chaotic packages if they choose, staying as close to pure Arch Linux as possible.

1 Creation of ALCI or Arch Linux Calamares Installer

I have carefully documented every step of the process. Although it took a little longer than anticipated, I view every mistake as an opportunity to learn and grow. My ultimate aspiration is to surpass my own limits and become even more knowledgeable. By immersing...

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2 How to get started with ALCI

Synthesis check you have the correct archiso version git clone the project git clone https://github.com/arcolinuxiso/alci-iso change content of archiso/packages.x86_64 or not use meld to compare the other packages files - example-packages.x86_64 and...

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5 Adding packages to the ALCI iso

Adapt ALCI to your needs ... Less typing is always better We have added some ideas at the bottom of the packages.x86_64. The content of this file will change over time.Read the text at the bottom. Some packages will always be removed by...

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6 Sharing the info to build ALCI between users

We have now the possibilty to ask people what the content of the  packages.x86_64 file is and learn from it. On Discord we have a separate channel for Arch Linux Calamares Installer or ALCI. On that channel we can exchange configs via https://pastebin.com. That is...

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7 ALCI contains the ArcoLinux keys by default

ALCI is an ArcoLinux project. We would like to install packages from ArcoLinux. IF HOWEVER you are not planning to install anything from ArcoLInux repos you can remove one line of code. Edit this file /archiso/airootfs/etc/systemd/system/pacman-init.service and...

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8 How to create an ALCI iso on Arch Linux

ALCI is an ArcoLinux project. By default we have the ArcoLinux mirrors and ArcoLinux keys. If you would like to install packages from ArcoLinux you need to get the keys in and know where the mirrors are.Since my Arch Linux system contains all the keys and mirrors...

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11 What if Calamares crashes when creating the partitions

ALCI is designed to be as minimal as possible. Hence our choice to make our personalized ALCI DWM. Gparted could be installed on the fly and you can do your workflow that way. But what if you just want to start from scratch and delete all partitions and go on with...

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13 How to add your local custom repo to ALCI

The core of ALCI is the packages list and ofcourse pacman.conf which will tell where the pacakages are. You can get the packages from: Arch Linux ArcoLinux Chaotic AUR ... many others But you can also create a local repo on your computer system. You build the...

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14 Build a new Calamares

In this video we show you all the steps you have to take to build and test out a new Calamares. It is super easy. Combined with article 13 - adding a local repo - you can be faster than the developers and become independent. You do not have to wait for anyone...

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17 How to build your own package for your local repository

It is fun to make your Operating System just the way you like. In our example we will put several wallpapers on our github and create a package for it. The advantage of a package is that Pacman can control it. sudo pacman -S  or -R will work. If we copy/pasted the...

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21 Building a new Calamares v3.2.39.1

Building a new Calamares is something YOU can do. You do not need us for it. You can build it and put it on the local repo on your pc. You can make your own Calamares configurations. See example below.You can make your own packages list and it will become YOUR...

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22 Archiso 52-1 compared and implemented

It is always the same workflow. Compare the releng folder coming in from the Archiso package (sometimes also the mkarchiso script). Decide what you like to include on your future iso with the use of Meld. Double-check. Triple-check. Build the iso. Test the iso.Let...

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24 Rebuild Calamares when kpmcore gets an update

You see a message in Calamares and you did not change anything. Maybe Calamares did not changeMaybe the configuration did not change but everything else did change. New kernels, new systemd and also the packages that are needed to make Calamares work. In this...

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25 Compare archiso 53-1 with our githubs

It is always the same workflow. Compare the releng folder coming in from the Archiso package (sometimes also the mkarchiso script). Decide what you like to include on your future iso with the use of Meld. Double-check. Triple-check. Build the iso. Test the...

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26 Archiso 55-1 changes incorporated

It is always the same workflow. Compare the releng folder coming in from the Archiso package (sometimes also the mkarchiso script). Decide what you like to include on your future iso with the use of Meld. Double-check. Triple-check. Build the iso. Test the...

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27 Booting up with your deskop in the live environment

Two things to change and you are good to go if you start with the dev github and want xfce4. We change the content of packages.x86_64 and remove alci-dwm-nemesis. A few lines down we have already a desktop - xfce4 and xfce4-goodies.Change the packages if you want...

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29 How to create an linux-zen iso – how did I create it

This video is an after the facts video. See which files matter if you want to change from a linux kernel to a linux-zen kernel. We created an additional Calamares configuration to remove linux and decided NOT to put broadcom-wl on our system. Our next article we...

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37 How to create an ALCI iso with Xanmod-Edge kernel

November 2022 Xanmod-edge ceased to existWe have changed all references to Xanmod but ofcourse not in the videosSee which files matter if you want to change from a linux kernel to a linux-xanmod-edge kernel. We created an additional Calamares configuration fox...

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45 Use Alci Pure to install and rice chadwm from source

You can use ArcoLinuxD and choose the Bare installation or you can choose Alci Pure to have a pure Arch Linux experience. Choose what to install and from where. We install Chadwm from the source and choose to install packages from Arch Linux. Later we install yay...

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