# Install GUI for fresh ArchLinux installation

June 1, 2023 - Reading time: 2 minutes

In this guide we will be installing a graphical user interface for a basic archlinux system. For instructions about setting up a basic archlinux check out the previous guide: https://techwithkreplach.com/how-to-install-arch-linux-vm. To see instructions about creating a sudo user check this guide: https://techwithkreplach.com/how-to-create-a-sudo-user-on-arch-linux .

The graphical interface setup is budgie (desktop environment), lightdm (display manager), and terminator as a graphical terminal application.

Step 1

Update the system:

sudo pacman -Syu

Step 2

Install the required packages:

sudo pacman -S lightdm lightdm-gtk-greeter budgie-desktop terminator

Step 3

Test if the setup works for your environment by starting the GUi:

sudo systemctl start lightdm

It should load a screen with username and password boxes, type yours in. You can also log in as root if you wish, but its a better practice to log in as a user with sudo privileges.

Step 4

If the previous step loaded the GUi successfully, you can now enable it automatically at every reboot by opening terminator app (launch terminator from the menu of the "foot" icon in the downside bar of screen) and typing:

sudo systemctl enable lighdm