Arch Linux Minimal Installation with KDE Plasma

This guide walks you through a complete Arch Linux installation with KDE Plasma desktop environment. It covers everything from partitioning to configuring a fully functional desktop system.

Pre-installation Steps

1. Verify Internet Connection

First, check if your device is connected to the internet. If you're using Wi-Fi, you'll need to connect using the wifi-menu utility:

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2. Disk Partitioning

You can either pre-partition your disk with GParted or use cfdisk from the Arch boot media. Here's a recommended partition scheme:

• /dev/sda1 - EFI Boot Partition (512MB)
• /dev/sda2 - BIOS Boot Partition (1MB)
• /dev/sda3 - Linux Swap Partition (size depends on your RAM)
• Additional partitions for your root filesystem and other needs

In this example, I'm using /dev/sda12 for the Arch Linux root partition.

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3. Optimize Package Repositories

Synchronize package repositories and configure mirror servers to speed up the installation:

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Add or uncomment these lines in /etc/pacman.conf:

[multilib]
Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

Then resynchronize:

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Base System Installation

1. Install Base System

Install the core Arch Linux packages and generate the filesystem table:

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2. System Configuration

Now, enter the newly installed system with arch-chroot and configure it:

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Locale and Time Settings

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Network Configuration

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Package Repositories

Edit /etc/pacman.conf to enable multilib and Arch User Repository (AUR):

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Add or uncomment:

[multilib]
Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

Then update package databases:

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User Configuration

Set passwords and create a new user with administrative privileges:

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Bootloader Installation

Install and configure GRUB bootloader:

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Network Tools

Install necessary network tools for connectivity after reboot:

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Desktop Environment Installation

Now, let's install the KDE Plasma desktop environment and essential applications:

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Post-Installation Configuration

After rebooting, perform these additional steps to enhance your system:

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Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, check the Arch Wiki for detailed information on specific topics.

For beginners, consider installing an AUR helper like yay for easier package management:

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That's it! You now have a fully functional Arch Linux system with KDE Plasma desktop environment. Enjoy the customization and flexibility of Arch Linux!