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Install: a step-by-step guide, and choose NetworkManager in archinstall

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A numbered guide at the top of the Install page, from writing the Arch
ISO to a USB stick to the reboot after installing CoreDesktop.

CoreDesktop now turns off iwd and systemd-networkd when they're enabled
alongside NetworkManager (cf862ec), as archinstall's "Copy ISO network
configuration" leaves them. Tell users to choose "Use NetworkManager"
instead, and that the iwctl connection stays on the USB stick. List the
change on the System page, and mention it for NetworkManager and impala.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
This commit is contained in:
david
2026-11-07 17:29:21 -07:00
co-authored by Claude Opus 5.5
parent 1589245437
commit 8eca0d9f2d
4 changed files with 47 additions and 2 deletions
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content/install.md
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@@ -16,6 +16,46 @@ sections:
url: "https://archlinux.org/download/"
style: ghost
- type: text
id: step-by-step
kicker: "Step by step"
headline: "From a USB stick to CoreDesktop."
body: |
Everything, in order. The sections below explain each part in more detail.
1. **Check you have what you need.** A 64-bit PC with at least 100 GB for Arch, an internet connection, and a USB stick of 2 GB or more. Installing Arch **erases the drive you install it on**, so back up anything on it first. See [the requirements](#requirements).
2. **Download Arch.** On any computer, go to [archlinux.org/download](https://archlinux.org/download/), scroll down to the mirrors, pick one near you and download the `.iso` file, such as `archlinux-x86_64.iso`.
3. **Write the ISO to the USB stick.** This erases the stick. On Linux, use Impression (on another CoreDesktop machine it's already installed). On Windows, use Rufus and choose **DD Image** mode when it asks. On a Mac, use balenaEtcher.
4. **Boot from the USB stick.** Plug it into the computer you're installing on and restart it. As it starts, press the boot-menu key, often <kbd>F12</kbd>, <kbd>F11</kbd>, <kbd>F8</kbd> or <kbd>Esc</kbd> depending on the maker, and choose the USB stick, then **Arch Linux install medium**. If it won't boot from the stick, turn off **Secure Boot** in the firmware settings: the Arch ISO doesn't support it.
5. **Get online.** A network cable just works. On Wi-Fi, connect with `iwctl`, replacing `wlan0` with your device from `device list` and `SSID` with your network's name:
```
iwctl
device list
station wlan0 scan
station wlan0 get-networks
station wlan0 connect SSID
exit
```
Check with `ping archlinux.org`, and press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> to stop it.
6. **Start the installer.** Type `archinstall` and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>. Choose the defaults except for the steps below.
7. **Disk.** Choose the default layout on the drive you're installing on, with the **btrfs** file system. CoreDesktop then takes a snapshot of your system before every update.
8. **Your user.** Add a user account for yourself and make it a **superuser** (sudo). CoreDesktop installs as this user, and stops if it can't use sudo.
9. **Desktop.** Choose the **Desktop** profile, then **GNOME**. For graphics, **choose the proprietary NVIDIA driver if you have an NVIDIA card**, or the AMD option for an AMD card.
10. **Sound.** Choose **pipewire**.
11. **Network.** Choose **Use NetworkManager**, even if you connected with `iwctl`. Not **Copy ISO network configuration**: it turns on iwd, which fights NetworkManager over the Wi-Fi card.
12. **Install Arch.** Choose **Install** and wait. When it's done, reboot, and take the USB stick out as the computer restarts.
13. **Log in to GNOME.** On Wi-Fi, choose your network in the menu at the top right and enter its password: the one you gave `iwctl` stayed on the USB stick.
14. **Install CoreDesktop.** Open the **Console** app (press <kbd>Super</kbd> and type `Console`), then paste this and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>:
```
wget -qO- https://gitea.federated.computer/Federated_Computer/coredesktop/raw/branch/main/install.sh | bash
```
15. **Enter your password, then wait.** It asks once, at the start, then takes a while. If something fails, run the same command again: it skips what's already done.
16. **Configure, if you want.** At the end it offers to run `configure`, which connects your [Federated Core](https://federated.computer/), sets up backups and signs you in to the AI agents. You can skip it and [run it later](/utilities/#configure). If it says a newer kernel came in, reboot first, then run `configure`.
17. **Reboot.** Run `sudo reboot now`. You're on CoreDesktop. Keep it current with [`update`](/utilities/#update).
- type: checklist
id: requirements
kicker: "Requirements"
@@ -37,6 +77,8 @@ sections:
body: "Any tool works. On another CoreDesktop machine, use Impression."
- title: "Boot it and run archinstall"
body: "Boot from the USB stick. When it's up, type `archinstall` to get to the simple installer. No wired connection? [Set up wifi first](#a-note-about-networking-in-arch)."
- title: "Choose NetworkManager for the network"
body: "At **Network configuration**, choose **Use NetworkManager**, even if you connected with `iwctl`. CoreDesktop and GNOME's Wi-Fi menu use it. **Copy ISO network configuration** turns on iwd instead, which fights NetworkManager over the Wi-Fi card; CoreDesktop turns iwd off if it finds it."
- title: "Pick the right GPU driver"
body: "**If you have an NVIDIA GPU, choose the proprietary NVIDIA option.** Choose the AMD option for AMD cards."
- title: "Choose desktop and GNOME"
@@ -64,6 +106,8 @@ sections:
Replace `wlan0` with your wireless device from `device list`, and `SSID` with your network's name. Leave `iwctl` and check with `ping archlinux.org`, then carry on with the install. The Arch wiki has [the full guide](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless).
This connection is only for the installer: `iwctl` saves your Wi-Fi password on the USB stick, not on your new system. Choose **Use NetworkManager** at archinstall's network step, and after the first boot choose your Wi-Fi network in GNOME's top-right menu.
- type: command
id: installing-federated-coredesktop
kicker: "Part two"