# Download ISO from: https://garudalinux.org/downloads
 
# Using Ventoy (recommended — multi-boot)
# Just copy the ISO to the Ventoy USB drive
 
# Using dd (Linux)
sudo dd if=Garuda-dr460nized-linux-zen-*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress
sync
 
# Using Rufus (Windows) — select DD mode, not ISO mode

# Garuda Welcome app opens automatically
# Run system update first (critical on fresh install)
sudo pacman -Syu
 
# Or use Garuda Assistant → System Maintenance → Update System
 
# Install Chaotic-AUR (usually pre-configured, verify):
sudo pacman-key --recv-key 3056513887B78AEB --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com
sudo pacman-key --lsign-key 3056513887B78AEB
sudo pacman -U 'https://cdn-mirror.chaotic.cx/chaotic-aur/chaotic-keyring.pkg.tar.zst'
sudo pacman -U 'https://cdn-mirror.chaotic.cx/chaotic-aur/chaotic-mirrorlist.pkg.tar.zst'
# Add to /etc/pacman.conf:
# [chaotic-aur]
# Include = /etc/pacman.d/chaotic-mirrorlist
 
# Enable multilib (for 32-bit gaming libraries)
# Uncomment in /etc/pacman.conf:
# [multilib]
# Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
sudo pacman -Syu

# Garuda includes nvidia-installer-dkms for easy NVIDIA setup
sudo nvidia-installer-dkms
# Reboot after installation
 
# Or manually:
sudo pacman -S nvidia-dkms nvidia-utils lib32-nvidia-utils nvidia-settings
 
# Check NVIDIA driver is loaded
nvidia-smi
lsmod | grep nvidia
 
# For older cards (Kepler/Maxwell):
sudo pacman -S nvidia-470xx-dkms  # from AUR/Chaotic-AUR

# Update system
sudo pacman -Syu                   # sync + upgrade all packages
sudo pacman -Syuu                  # force downgrade if needed
 
# Install & remove
sudo pacman -S package             # install
sudo pacman -S package1 package2   # install multiple
sudo pacman -R package             # remove (keep deps)
sudo pacman -Rs package            # remove + unused deps
sudo pacman -Rns package           # remove + deps + config files
 
# Search & info
pacman -Ss keyword                 # search repos
pacman -Si package                 # package info (remote)
pacman -Qi package                 # package info (installed)
pacman -Ql package                 # list files in package
pacman -Qo /usr/bin/python         # which package owns file
pacman -Qs keyword                 # search installed packages
pacman -Q                          # list all installed
pacman -Qe                         # explicitly installed
pacman -Qdt                        # orphaned packages
 
# Cache management
sudo pacman -Sc                    # remove old cached packages
sudo pacman -Scc                   # remove all cached packages
paccache -r                        # keep last 3 versions (pacman-contrib)

# Chaotic-AUR is pre-configured on Garuda
# It provides pre-compiled AUR packages — no need to compile from source
 
# Search Chaotic-AUR packages
pacman -Ss package                 # searches all repos including chaotic-aur
 
# Popular packages available in Chaotic-AUR:
sudo pacman -S visual-studio-code-bin
sudo pacman -S google-chrome
sudo pacman -S spotify
sudo pacman -S discord
sudo pacman -S heroic-games-launcher
sudo pacman -S proton-ge-custom-bin
sudo pacman -S mangohud
sudo pacman -S gamemode
sudo pacman -S bottles

# yay is pre-installed on Garuda
yay -Syu                           # update system + AUR packages
yay -S package                     # install from AUR
yay -Ss keyword                    # search AUR
yay -R package                     # remove
yay -Yc                            # remove unneeded deps
 
# paru (Rust-based, more features)
sudo pacman -S paru                # install paru (from Chaotic-AUR)
paru -Syu                          # update all
paru -S package                    # install from AUR
paru -Ss keyword                   # search
paru -c                            # clean orphans

# Flatpak is pre-installed on Garuda
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
 
flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP
flatpak update                     # update all Flatpaks
flatpak list
flatpak uninstall org.gimp.GIMP
flatpak run org.gimp.GIMP

# Install Steam (from Chaotic-AUR or multilib)
sudo pacman -S steam
 
# Enable Steam Play (Proton) for Windows games
# Steam → Settings → Steam Play → Enable Steam Play for all titles
# Select Proton version (Proton Experimental or Proton-GE recommended)
 
# Install Proton-GE (better compatibility than official Proton)
sudo pacman -S proton-ge-custom-bin   # from Chaotic-AUR
# Or use ProtonUp-Qt to manage Proton versions:
sudo pacman -S protonup-qt
 
# Steam native runtime libraries
sudo pacman -S lib32-mesa lib32-vulkan-icd-loader
# For NVIDIA:
sudo pacman -S lib32-nvidia-utils
# For AMD:
sudo pacman -S lib32-vulkan-radeon lib32-amdvlk

sudo pacman -S lutris
 
# Lutris manages: Steam, GOG, Epic, Battle.net, Origin, emulators
# Install Wine dependencies for Lutris:
sudo pacman -S wine-staging winetricks
sudo pacman -S lib32-gnutls lib32-libldap lib32-libgpg-error
sudo pacman -S lib32-sqlite lib32-libpulse
 
# Lutris runners: Wine, DXVK, VKD3D-Proton, DOSBox, ScummVM, emulators
# Install DXVK (DirectX → Vulkan translation):
sudo pacman -S dxvk-bin            # from Chaotic-AUR

sudo pacman -S heroic-games-launcher   # from Chaotic-AUR
 
# Heroic supports:
# - Epic Games Store (free games, AAA titles)
# - GOG Galaxy (DRM-free games)
# - Amazon Prime Gaming
# Uses Wine/Proton under the hood for Windows games

# GameMode is pre-installed on Garuda Gaming edition
sudo pacman -S gamemode lib32-gamemode
 
# Enable GameMode service
systemctl --user enable --now gamemoded
 
# Run a game with GameMode:
gamemoderun ./game
gamemoderun steam steam://rungameid/APPID
 
# In Steam: add launch option:
# gamemoderun %command%
 
# What GameMode does:
# - Sets CPU governor to "performance"
# - Applies GPU performance tweaks (NVIDIA/AMD)
# - Disables CPU mitigations temporarily
# - Renice game process for priority
# - Inhibits screensaver/sleep
 
# Check GameMode status:
gamemoded -s

sudo pacman -S mangohud lib32-mangohud
 
# Run with MangoHud:
mangohud ./game
mangohud steam steam://rungameid/APPID
 
# In Steam launch options:
# mangohud %command%
 
# MangoHud shows: FPS, frametime, CPU/GPU usage, temps, VRAM, RAM
 
# Config file: ~/.config/MangoHud/MangoHud.conf
# Example config:
# fps
# cpu_stats
# gpu_stats
# ram
# vram
# cpu_temp
# gpu_temp
# frametime
# position=top-left
# font_size=24
 
# GOverlay — GUI for MangoHud config:
sudo pacman -S goverlay

# Wine — run Windows .exe files
sudo pacman -S wine-staging winetricks
 
# Create a Wine prefix (isolated Windows environment)
WINEPREFIX=~/.wine32 WINEARCH=win32 wine wineboot
WINEPREFIX=~/.wine64 wine wineboot
 
# Install DirectX, Visual C++ runtimes via winetricks
winetricks d3dx9 d3dx11 vcrun2019 dotnet48
 
# DXVK — DirectX 9/10/11 → Vulkan (much better performance)
sudo pacman -S dxvk-bin
WINEPREFIX=~/.wine64 setup_dxvk install
 
# VKD3D-Proton — DirectX 12 → Vulkan
sudo pacman -S vkd3d-proton-bin   # from Chaotic-AUR
 
# Bottles — GUI Wine manager (easier than raw Wine)
sudo pacman -S bottles

# RetroArch (multi-system emulator frontend)
sudo pacman -S retroarch retroarch-assets-xmb
 
# Individual emulators
sudo pacman -S dolphin-emu          # GameCube / Wii
sudo pacman -S rpcs3               # PlayStation 3 (from Chaotic-AUR)
sudo pacman -S yuzu                # Nintendo Switch (from Chaotic-AUR)
sudo pacman -S pcsx2               # PlayStation 2
sudo pacman -S ppsspp              # PSP
sudo pacman -S desmume             # Nintendo DS
sudo pacman -S mgba                # Game Boy Advance
sudo pacman -S cemu               # Wii U (from Chaotic-AUR)
 
# Emulation Station DE (frontend for all emulators)
sudo pacman -S emulationstation-de

# Garuda ships linux-zen by default — optimized for desktop/gaming
uname -r                           # check current kernel
# Should show: x.x.x-zen1-x-zen
 
# Available kernels (install via pacman):
# linux-zen      → low-latency, desktop/gaming (Garuda default)
# linux-tkg-pds  → TKG patchset, best for gaming (from Chaotic-AUR)
# linux-tkg-bmq  → BMQ scheduler variant
# linux-cachyos  → CachyOS optimized kernel (from Chaotic-AUR)
# linux-xanmod   → XanMod kernel with extra patches
# linux           → vanilla Arch kernel
# linux-lts       → long-term support kernel (most stable)
 
# Install alternative kernel:
sudo pacman -S linux-tkg-pds linux-tkg-pds-headers
# Select at GRUB boot menu
 
# Check kernel scheduler:
cat /sys/kernel/debug/sched/features

# ZRAM is enabled by default on Garuda — no swap partition needed
# ZRAM creates a compressed block device in RAM for swap
# Much faster than disk swap, reduces I/O
 
# Check ZRAM status:
zramctl
swapon --show
free -h
 
# ZRAM config: /etc/systemd/zram-generator.conf
# [zram0]
# zram-size = ram / 2        # use half of RAM
# compression-algorithm = zstd
 
# Garuda default: zram-size = min(ram, 8192)
# Compression: lz4 (fast) or zstd (better ratio)

# Check current CPU governor
cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor
 
# Available governors:
# performance   → max frequency always (best for gaming)
# schedutil     → kernel scheduler-based (Garuda default)
# powersave     → minimum frequency (battery saving)
# ondemand      → scales with load
 
# Set performance governor (temporary):
echo performance | sudo tee /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu*/cpufreq/scaling_governor
 
# Permanent via cpupower:
sudo pacman -S cpupower
sudo cpupower frequency-set -g performance
sudo systemctl enable --now cpupower
# Edit /etc/default/cpupower: governor='performance'
 
# Garuda uses auto-cpufreq for laptop battery management:
sudo pacman -S auto-cpufreq
sudo systemctl enable --now auto-cpufreq

# AMD GPU — enable performance mode
echo high | sudo tee /sys/class/drm/card0/device/power_dpm_force_performance_level
# Permanent: add to /etc/udev/rules.d/30-amdgpu-pm.rules:
# ACTION=="add", KERNEL=="card0", SUBSYSTEM=="drm", DRIVERS=="amdgpu", \
# ATTR{device/power_dpm_force_performance_level}="high"
 
# AMD GPU — check info
sudo pacman -S radeontop          # GPU usage monitor
radeontop
 
# NVIDIA GPU — performance mode
sudo nvidia-settings -a "[gpu:0]/GpuPowerMizerMode=1"   # prefer max performance
nvidia-smi -q -d PERFORMANCE      # check performance state
 
# Check GPU info
lspci | grep -i vga
glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"
vulkaninfo | grep "GPU id"

# Garuda auto-creates Btrfs snapshots before every pacman transaction
# If an update breaks your system → boot from snapshot in GRUB
 
# List snapshots:
sudo snapper -c root list
sudo btrfs subvolume list /
 
# Create manual snapshot (before risky changes):
sudo snapper -c root create --description "before nvidia driver install"
 
# Rollback to snapshot:
sudo snapper -c root undochange 1..0   # undo changes from snapshot 1 to now
# Or: boot from snapshot in GRUB → Garuda Linux snapshots menu
 
# Delete old snapshots (free disk space):
sudo snapper -c root delete 3
sudo snapper -c root delete 1-5        # delete range
 
# Snapper config: /etc/snapper/configs/root
# TIMELINE_LIMIT_HOURLY="5"
# TIMELINE_LIMIT_DAILY="7"
# TIMELINE_LIMIT_WEEKLY="0"
# TIMELINE_LIMIT_MONTHLY="0"
# TIMELINE_LIMIT_YEARLY="0"
 
# Check Btrfs filesystem usage:
sudo btrfs filesystem usage /
sudo btrfs filesystem df /

# /etc/default/grub — add to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT:
# mitigations=off          → disable CPU security mitigations (5-15% perf gain, security risk)
# nowatchdog               → disable watchdog timer
# nmi_watchdog=0           → disable NMI watchdog
# quiet splash             → clean boot
# threadirqs               → thread IRQs for lower latency
 
# Garuda Gaming default cmdline:
# quiet splash rd.udev.log_priority=3 vt.global_cursor_default=0
# loglevel=3 ibt=off
 
# After editing /etc/default/grub:
sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
 
# Sysctl tweaks for gaming (/etc/sysctl.d/99-gaming.conf):
# vm.swappiness = 10
# vm.vfs_cache_pressure = 50
# kernel.nmi_watchdog = 0
# net.core.netdev_max_backlog = 16384
sudo sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.d/99-gaming.conf

# Garuda installs grub-btrfs — GRUB shows Btrfs snapshots as boot entries
# If system breaks after update:
# 1. Reboot → GRUB menu → "Garuda Linux snapshots"
# 2. Select a snapshot from before the problem
# 3. Boot into it (read-only snapshot)
# 4. From inside snapshot, run: sudo garuda-update (or pacman rollback)
# 5. Or: sudo snapper rollback <number>
 
# Update GRUB snapshot list:
sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
 
# grub-btrfs auto-updates on snapshot creation (systemd path unit)
systemctl status grub-btrfsd

# Garuda Dr460nized uses fish shell by default
echo $SHELL                        # /usr/bin/fish
 
# fish features: auto-suggestions, syntax highlighting, tab completion
# No need to source config — fish auto-loads ~/.config/fish/config.fish
 
# Switch to bash/zsh if preferred:
chsh -s /bin/bash
chsh -s /bin/zsh
sudo pacman -S zsh zsh-autosuggestions zsh-syntax-highlighting
 
# Default terminal: Konsole (KDE) or Alacritty (GPU-accelerated)
sudo pacman -S alacritty          # fast GPU terminal
sudo pacman -S kitty              # another GPU terminal

# File operations
ls -la / exa -la / lsd -la        # list files (exa/lsd are modern ls replacements)
sudo pacman -S exa lsd bat        # install modern CLI tools
bat file.txt                      # cat with syntax highlighting
fd pattern                        # modern find replacement
rg pattern                        # ripgrep — fast grep
 
# System info
neofetch                          # system info + ASCII art (pre-installed)
fastfetch                         # faster neofetch alternative
btop                              # modern htop (pre-installed on Garuda)
 
# Disk usage
df -hT                            # disk space + filesystem type
dust                              # modern du replacement
sudo pacman -S dust ncdu
 
# Process management
btop / htop / top                 # process monitor
kill PID / killall name           # kill process

# fish config: ~/.config/fish/config.fish
 
# Variables
set name "Garuda"
echo $name
 
# Functions
function greet
    echo "Hello, $argv[1]"
end
greet "World"
 
# Aliases (fish calls them abbreviations)
abbr -a update 'sudo pacman -Syu'
abbr -a install 'sudo pacman -S'
 
# Conditionals
if test $status -eq 0
    echo "Success"
else
    echo "Failed"
end
 
# Loops
for i in (seq 1 5)
    echo $i
end

# Garuda Gamer is a GUI tool for installing gaming software
# Launch: Garuda Gamer (app menu)
 
# Categories in Garuda Gamer:
# - Game Launchers: Steam, Lutris, Heroic, Bottles, GameHub
# - Wine/Proton: Wine-staging, Proton-GE, DXVK, VKD3D
# - Emulators: RetroArch, Dolphin, RPCS3, Yuzu, PCSX2
# - Tools: MangoHud, GameMode, GOverlay, ProtonUp-Qt
# - Streaming: OBS, Sunshine (game streaming server)
 
# Install Garuda Gamer if not present:
sudo pacman -S garuda-gamer

# Full system update (pacman + AUR):
garuda-update                      # Garuda's update wrapper (recommended)
# or:
sudo pacman -Syu && yay -Syu
 
# Remove orphaned packages:
sudo pacman -Rns $(pacman -Qdtq)
 
# Clear package cache (keep last 3 versions):
paccache -r
 
# Fix broken pacman database:
sudo pacman-db-upgrade
sudo pacman -Fy                    # sync file database
 
# Fix pacman lock (if pacman crashed):
sudo rm /var/lib/pacman/db.lck
 
# Reinstall all packages (nuclear option):
sudo pacman -Qqn | sudo pacman -S -
 
# Check for failed systemd services:
systemctl --failed
 
# Disk usage analysis:
sudo ncdu /
sudo btrfs filesystem usage /

# Garuda uses NetworkManager (same as most desktop distros)
nmcli device status                # show all devices
nmcli connection show              # all connections
 
# Wi-Fi
nmcli device wifi list             # scan networks
nmcli device wifi connect "SSID" password "password"
 
# Static IP
nmcli connection modify "Wired connection 1" \
  ipv4.method manual \
  ipv4.addresses "192.168.1.100/24" \
  ipv4.gateway "192.168.1.1" \
  ipv4.dns "8.8.8.8"
nmcli connection up "Wired connection 1"
 
# Network info
ip a                               # interfaces + IPs
ip route                           # routing table
ss -tulnp                          # listening ports

# Garuda uses firewalld (same as Fedora)
sudo systemctl enable --now firewalld
sudo firewall-cmd --list-all
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=ssh
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=25565/tcp   # Minecraft server
sudo firewall-cmd --reload
 
# Or use UFW (simpler):
sudo pacman -S ufw
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw allow ssh
sudo ufw allow 80/tcp
sudo ufw status

sudo pacman -S openssh
sudo systemctl enable --now sshd
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=ssh
sudo firewall-cmd --reload
 
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your@email.com"
ssh-copy-id user@host
ssh user@host

sudo useradd -m -s /bin/fish username
sudo passwd username
sudo usermod -aG wheel username    # add to wheel (sudo) group
sudo usermod -aG gamemode username # add to gamemode group
sudo userdel -r username
id username
groups username

# Garuda uses the "wheel" group for sudo (same as Arch/Fedora)
sudo visudo
# Uncomment: %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL
 
# Passwordless sudo (for gaming/automation — less secure):
# %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL

systemctl status servicename
sudo systemctl start|stop|restart servicename
sudo systemctl enable|disable servicename
systemctl list-units --type=service --state=running
systemctl --failed                 # show failed services
sudo systemctl daemon-reload

# GameMode daemon
systemctl --user status gamemoded
systemctl --user enable --now gamemoded
 
# Sunshine (game streaming server — GeForce NOW alternative)
sudo pacman -S sunshine
sudo systemctl enable --now sunshine
# Web UI: https://localhost:47990
 
# Pipewire (audio — pre-installed, replaces PulseAudio)
systemctl --user status pipewire
systemctl --user status wireplumber
pactl info                         # audio server info

# KDE System Settings → Appearance → Global Theme
# Garuda Dr460nized uses: Sweet theme + Latte Dock + custom icons
 
# Install additional themes:
sudo pacman -S kvantum-qt5         # Kvantum theme engine
sudo pacman -S latte-dock          # macOS-style dock
 
# KDE Plasma widgets (right-click desktop → Add Widgets)
# Useful widgets: System Monitor, Weather, Clipboard, Notes
 
# Virtual desktops
# System Settings → Workspace → Virtual Desktops
# Ctrl + F1/F2/F3/F4 → switch desktops
# Meta + Ctrl + Left/Right → switch desktops

# KDE Wayland session (recommended for HiDPI):
# Select "Plasma (Wayland)" at SDDM login screen
 
echo $WAYLAND_DISPLAY              # check if Wayland active
echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE             # "wayland" or "x11"
 
# HiDPI scaling: System Settings → Display → Global Scale
# Fractional scaling supported natively on Wayland
 
# Multi-monitor: System Settings → Display → Arrangement

# Python
sudo pacman -S python python-pip
python -m venv myenv && source myenv/bin/activate
 
# Node.js
sudo pacman -S nodejs npm
# or via nvm:
yay -S nvm
nvm install --lts
 
# Rust
sudo pacman -S rustup
rustup default stable
 
# Go
sudo pacman -S go
 
# Java
sudo pacman -S jdk-openjdk
 
# C/C++
sudo pacman -S base-devel gcc cmake gdb

# VS Code
sudo pacman -S visual-studio-code-bin   # from Chaotic-AUR
# or:
flatpak install flathub com.visualstudio.code
 
# JetBrains Toolbox
yay -S jetbrains-toolbox
 
# Neovim
sudo pacman -S neovim
 
# Vim
sudo pacman -S vim

sudo pacman -S git
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "you@example.com"
git config --global init.defaultBranch main
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "you@example.com"
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub          # copy to GitHub

# Docker
sudo pacman -S docker docker-compose
sudo systemctl enable --now docker
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
 
# Podman (rootless, Docker-compatible)
sudo pacman -S podman podman-compose
podman run -it fedora:latest bash

# Error: failed to synchronize databases
sudo pacman -Syy                   # force refresh all databases
 
# Error: signature is unknown trust
sudo pacman-key --refresh-keys
sudo pacman -S archlinux-keyring garuda-keyring
 
# Error: database is locked
sudo rm /var/lib/pacman/db.lck
 
# Partial upgrade issues (never do pacman -Sy without -u)
sudo pacman -Syu                   # always full upgrade
 
# Reinstall broken package:
sudo pacman -S --overwrite '*' package

# Black screen after NVIDIA install:
# Boot from snapshot → reinstall drivers
sudo pacman -S nvidia-dkms nvidia-utils
 
# Check NVIDIA is working:
nvidia-smi
glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"
 
# Force NVIDIA for specific app (Optimus laptops):
__NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD=1 __GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=nvidia app
# Or use prime-run:
sudo pacman -S nvidia-prime
prime-run game

# Check Pipewire status:
systemctl --user status pipewire wireplumber
 
# Restart audio:
systemctl --user restart pipewire wireplumber
 
# Check audio devices:
pactl list sinks short
pactl list sources short
 
# Set default output:
pactl set-default-sink sink-name
 
# Install PulseAudio compatibility (if app needs it):
sudo pacman -S pipewire-pulse

# Check if GameMode is active:
gamemoded -s
 
# Check CPU governor:
cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor
 
# Check GPU usage:
radeontop                          # AMD
nvidia-smi dmon                    # NVIDIA
 
# Check for thermal throttling:
watch -n 1 "cat /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone*/temp"
 
# Enable fsync (better than esync for Wine/Proton):
# Use linux-tkg kernel which has fsync built-in
# Or check: ulimit -Hn (should be > 524288)
# Add to /etc/security/limits.conf:
# * hard nofile 524288