# Arch Handbook

## Notice

This handbook has only just been started. It's currently a rather bare outline. Please edit it and make it better! Look at the FreeBSD Handbook as a style guide.

Most sections should be a summary, with a link to the main article on the subject.

## Getting Started

### Introduction

Arch linux is a lightweight and flexible linux distribution that tries to Keep It Simple. There are official packages optimized for the i686 and x86-64 architectures. There is also a community-operated package repository. See the pages in this category

### Installing Arch Linux

The full install guide is here and the install CDs are available here. If you would like a more detailed installation guide, please see the Beginners' guide.

### Linux Basics

A few basics on the file system and command line, for people starting Unix/Linux with Arch.

How to change directory:

    cd /name/of/directory

e.g.

    cd /etc/pacman.d

How to make a directory:

    mkdir /path/to/new/directory

e.g.

    mkdir /home/archuser/newfolder

How to remove an empty directory:

    rmdir /path/to/empty/directory

How to remove a directory and all its content:

    rm -r /path/to/directory

How to list files in a directory:

All files: (except hidden files)

    ls

All files: (including hidden files)

    ls -a

All files, hidden files and their properties:

    ls -la

Files with the .avi file extension only:

    ls *.avi

How to move a file:

    mv /path/to/old/file.ext /path/to/new/file.ext

e.g.

    mv /home/archuser/compressed.zip /home/archuser/myfiles/compressed2.zip

How to copy a file:

    cp /path/to/file.txt /path/to/copied/file.txt

How to remove a file:

    rm /path/to/file.txt

e.g.

    rm /home/archuser/file.txt

How to show the contents of a file:

    cat /path/to/file.txt

How to make a file executable:

    chmod +x /path/to/script.sh

How to (search the entire filesystem for) a file called euwfh.avi

    cd /

    find -name euwfh.avi

How to mount a partition:

    mount /dev/sdX1 /media/mountpoint

e.g.

    mount /dev/sda1 /media/folder

How to show how much space is left/used on (all mounted) partitions:

    df -h

How to show all running processes:

    ps -A

How to stop an annoying process called "EvilTrojan":

    killall EvilTrojan

How to show an unintelligible manual for a program "ultracompressor"

    man ultracompressor

### Installing, removing, updating and managing software: pacman

See pacman.

### Graphical Desktop Environments

See Desktop environment.

## Common Tasks

### Desktop Applications

Web browsers, office suites, etc.

### Multimedia

Video players, music jukeboxes, photo management, how to get codecs.

### Printing

CUPS installation and configuration, finding drivers.

## System Administration

### Configuration and Tuning

Systemd is used for most administrative tasks.

### Users and Basic Account Management

Creating and managing users with command-line utilities.

Users are created with `useradd`. See Users and groups for more information.

## Networking

### Network Configuration

How networks are set up in Arch.

### Servers

Mail, web, SSH server installation and configuration.

### Firewalls

See Firewalls, iptables, Simple stateful firewall.

Categories:

- Getting and installing Arch
- System administration