Installation guide

The installer opens automatically on live boot. If it gets closed, relaunch it from the install button on the noctalia bar. Nine steps, in order.

1. Welcome

Checks the basics: enough RAM, enough disk space, a real UEFI system. Internet is checked too, but isn't required to continue.

2. Language

Pick the display language for the installed system.

3. Keyboard layout

Pick a layout and variant, with a text box to test it before moving on.

4. Partitioning

Erase the disk, install alongside another OS, or partition manually. /boot always gets its own unencrypted partition. Encryption is on by default (LUKS on root), with a checkbox to turn it off.

5. Create your account

Set a username, password, and hostname. The shell is zsh, and the niri/noctalia setup carries over from the live session either way.

6. Optional extras

Add Docker, Incus, or Chromium. None are selected by default.

7. Summary

Review every choice made so far. Nothing gets written to disk until you confirm here.

8. Installing

Partitions the disk, unpacks the base system, installs a few packages (Default apps plus whatever was picked in extras), sets up the bootloader, then removes Calamares itself from the new install.

9. Finished

Reboot into the installed system.