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davidandClaude Opus 5.5 537e1aec83 Install with wget -qO- https://federated.sh | bash 
federated.sh redirects wget and curl to install.sh on Gitea, and
browsers to the Install page. Use it for installCommand and in the
step-by-step guide, and replace the note about copying the command from
Gitea with a link to install.sh, for anyone who wants to read it first.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-11-08 09:17:56 -07:00

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title, description, sections
title description sections
Install Install Arch Linux with GNOME, then install Federated CoreDesktop with one command.
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hero true About an afternoon, most of it waiting Install Arch, then CoreDesktop. Two parts: a standard Arch Linux install with GNOME using `archinstall`, then one command that turns it into CoreDesktop.
archinstall
install.sh
configure
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Skip to the command #installing-federated-coredesktop primary
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Download Arch https://archlinux.org/download/ ghost
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text step-by-step Step by step From a USB stick to CoreDesktop. 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://federated.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).
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checklist requirements Requirements What you need.
A 64-bit PC (x86_64) that can run Arch Linux, with an internet connection.
At least **100 GB for `/`**, the root partition. CoreDesktop installs about 50 GB of software, and `update` needs at least 10 GB free.
A fresh Arch Linux install with GNOME, as below. CoreDesktop changes [system settings](/system/#what-coredesktop-changes), so it's best not to run it on a machine you've already set up the way you like.
A [Federated Computer Core](https://federated.computer/) is optional. Without one, everything works except what `configure core` sets up: your Core's apps, files, calendars and email, its Tailscale network, and backups.
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steps Part one Installing Arch. Mostly choose the defaults. The choices below are the ones that matter.
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Download the ISO Get the Arch ISO from [archlinux.org/download](https://archlinux.org/download/). You may need to scroll down to find the download links.
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Write it to a USB stick Any tool works. On another CoreDesktop machine, use Impression.
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Boot it and run archinstall 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).
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Choose NetworkManager for the network 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.
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Pick the right GPU driver **If you have an NVIDIA GPU, choose the proprietary NVIDIA option.** Choose the AMD option for AMD cards.
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Choose desktop and GNOME When asked what type of system you want, choose **Desktop**, and [**GNOME**](https://www.gnome.org) as the desktop environment.
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Choose pipewire, then reboot Pipewire is strongly recommended for sound; it works well with Jitsi, Element and the other Federated Core apps. Reboot and log in.
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callout You will likely get the Arch install wrong the first or second time. Don't despair. Keep trying! The logic of the install will become clear, and frankly efficient, and you get to know the base Arch install better each time.
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text a-note-about-networking-in-arch Networking A note about networking in Arch. You need an internet connection to install Arch. A wired connection should just work. On wifi, set it up with `iwctl` before running `archinstall`: ``` iwctl device list station wlan0 scan station wlan0 get-networks station wlan0 connect SSID ``` 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.
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command installing-federated-coredesktop Part two Installing Federated CoreDesktop. Once Arch and GNOME are installed, log in, open a terminal and enter: federated.sh sends wget to [install.sh](https://gitea.federated.computer/Federated_Computer/coredesktop/src/branch/main/install.sh) on Gitea, so you can read what it runs first.
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steps Then While it runs, and after.
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Enter your password once It asks once, at the start. Then it checks the machine: it stops if this isn't Arch, you're root, you can't use sudo or there's no internet, and asks before going on with less than about 60 GB free or `/` not on btrfs. Then be patient: it takes a while.
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Run configure At the end it offers to run `configure`, which connects your Federated Core, sets up backups and signs you in to the AI agents. If a newer kernel came in, it asks you to reboot first.
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If something fails, run it again The install skips what's already done, so running it again is always safe.
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Reboot Run `sudo reboot now` when you're done, so that Element can find the encryption keychain, among other things.
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What configure sets up /utilities/#configure primary
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What gets installed /software/ text
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final-cta Installing? Put this on. Here's a [nice song to listen to while you're installing](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=y-5o2f9wzmw&si=_z9kcKHRwj-KTs7w).
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Next: Configure /utilities/#configure primary
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