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

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

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

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

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

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

sudo /root/install-me.py

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

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

• 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

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

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

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

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

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

• Discord

• 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

The installer automatically configures:

• User name: Lukas Heiligenbrunner
• Email: [email protected]

• Default toolchain: stable

• 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

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

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

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

The system is configured with a custom package repository:

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

The ISO boots with:

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

.
├── 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

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 "[email protected]"

4. Install additional software as needed:

   sudo pacman -S <package-name>

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

• 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

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

• Built on Arch Linux
• Uses archiso for ISO creation
• Uses archinstall library for installation