blog/content/post/install-archlinux-from-existing-linux.md

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Install Archlinux From Existing Linux	2024-03-09T09:32:03+05:30	2024-03-09T09:32:03+05:30	false	archlinux nixos		archlinux nix	linux		false	true	false	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	enable options false	enable options false

Sometimes situations arise where I have to install Archlinux on a different partition/drive and I cannot switch to live media. Arch provides arch-install-scripts to make things easier.

The entire process is pretty straightforward this way and the experience is similar to that of a live media except you do not have to set up networking to get things started.

Installing nix

We will be using the nix package manager to use arch-install-scripts. Reason being a) it's dependencies will be isolated from those of the host system, b) it can be installed on most mainstream Linux distributions. Install nix if you haven't already before proceeding to the next section.

Spawning a shell

Run nix-shell -p arch-install-scripts to spawn a shell with the package. Or you can run nix shell nixpkgs#arch-install-scripts if you have flakes enabled. It is just a one time thing so we are not installing it and can be garbage collected on a latter date.

Getting started

Prepare the target drive for installation. Set up partitions and mount the filesystem.