# Arch Linux Installation Notes

## Pre-Installation Checklist
- [ ] Download Arch Linux ISO
- [ ] Create bootable USB drive
- [ ] Backup any important data on ThinkPad
- [ ] Note ThinkPad hardware specs for driver compatibility

## Installation Steps
### Boot and Initial Setup
- [ ] Boot from USB
- [ ] Set keyboard layout if needed: `loadkeys us`
- [ ] Verify UEFI boot: `ls /sys/firmware/efi/efivars`
- [ ] Connect to internet (wifi-menu or ethernet)

### Partitioning
- [ ] List disks: `fdisk -l`
- [ ] Create partitions (EFI, swap, root)
- [ ] Format partitions
- [ ] Mount filesystems

### Base System Installation
- [ ] Update package database: `pacman -Sy`
- [ ] Install base system: `pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware`
- [ ] Generate fstab: `genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab`
- [ ] Chroot: `arch-chroot /mnt`

### System Configuration
- [ ] Set timezone
- [ ] Configure locale
- [ ] Set hostname
- [ ] Configure network
- [ ] Set root password
- [ ] Install bootloader (GRUB)
- [ ] Create user account with sudo privileges

## Post-Installation Priorities
- [ ] Install essential packages (git, base-devel)
- [ ] Install and configure yadm: `pacman -S yadm`
- [ ] Clone dotfiles: `yadm clone <your-dotfiles-repo>`
- [ ] Install SSH server: `pacman -S openssh`
- [ ] Enable SSH service: `systemctl enable sshd`
- [ ] Configure firewall