pacstrap

Install the base package, the Linux kernel and firmware for common hardware

$ pacstrap [path/to/new/root] [base] [linux] [linux-firmware]

$ pacstrap [path/to/new/root] [base] [base-devel] [linux-lts]

$ pacstrap -P [path/to/new/root] [packages]

$ pacstrap -M [path/to/new/root] [packages]

$ pacstrap -C [path/to/pacman.conf] [path/to/new/root] [packages]

$ pacstrap -c [path/to/new/root] [packages]

$ pacstrap -K [path/to/new/root] [packages]

$ pacstrap -i [path/to/new/root] [packages]

pacstrap [options] <root_directory> [<packages>...]

<root_directory>
    The absolute path to the target directory where the new system will be installed (e.g., /mnt). This directory must be a valid, pre-mounted filesystem.

<packages>...
    An optional space-separated list of packages to install into the root_directory. Common packages include base, linux, and linux-firmware. If omitted, it typically defaults to installing the base package group.

-c, --clean
    Cleans the package cache after installation, removing downloaded package files.

-d, --nodeps
    Skips dependency checks, forcing installation even if dependencies are not met. Use with caution.

-G, --nogpgcheck
    Skips GPG package signature checks, potentially compromising security. Not recommended for general use.

-i, --noconfirm
    Does not prompt for confirmation for any operations, automatically assuming 'yes' to all questions.

-M, --noextract
    Downloads packages but does not extract or install them into the target system.

-N, --noprogressbar
    Disables the display of the progress bar during downloads and installations.

-P, --print
    Prints a list of packages that would be installed without actually performing the installation.

-U, --upgrade
    Treats the operation as an upgrade for existing packages in the target system rather than a fresh install.

-v, --verbose
    Shows more detailed information and debug messages during execution.

--sysroot <path>
    Specifies an alternate sysroot path for installation, overriding the default behavior of using the first argument as the root directory.

--cachedir <dir>
    Sets an alternate directory for the package cache, where downloaded packages are stored.

--config <file>
    Uses an alternate configuration file for underlying pacman operations.

--ignore <pkg>
    Ignores a specific package from being installed or upgraded. Can be specified multiple times.

--overwrite <glob>
    Specifies a glob pattern to allow overwriting conflicting files during package installation.

--needed
    Does not reinstall targets that are already up-to-date in the destination.

pacstrap is a crucial utility primarily used during the installation of Arch Linux. It enables users to install a foundational system, typically comprising the base and base-devel package groups, into a newly mounted partition. The command effectively sets up the initial environment, automatically configuring pacman to install packages relative to the specified sysroot directory. This streamlines the bootstrapping of a functional Arch Linux system onto a disk, preparing it for further configuration within a chroot environment. pacstrap handles package installation, dependency resolution, and the initial setup of the package database within the target system, simplifying what would otherwise be a complex manual process.

Requires Mounted Target: The <root_directory> must be a valid, pre-mounted filesystem (e.g., a partition) before running pacstrap.
Internet Connection: An active internet connection is typically required to download packages from repositories.
Root Privileges: pacstrap must be executed with root privileges.
Arch Linux Specific: This command is integral to the Arch Linux ecosystem and is not found on other Linux distributions.
Internal Dependency: It relies heavily on pacman's underlying functionalities.

A common invocation for a fresh Arch Linux installation is pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware, which installs the essential components (base system, Linux kernel, and firmware) onto the /mnt mount point.

After pacstrap completes, it is standard practice to use arch-chroot /mnt to enter the newly installed system. This allows for further configuration, such as generating the fstab, setting the locale, configuring the network, and installing a boot loader.

pacstrap was introduced as a simpler and more robust method for bootstrapping an Arch Linux installation. Before its existence, users often had to manually mount the target partition, prepare directories, and then run pacman -r /mnt -S base or similar commands, a process prone to errors. pacstrap encapsulates these complex steps, providing a dedicated tool that correctly handles the sysroot and chroot environments for pacman. This has significantly simplified the initial system setup phase, making it a cornerstone of the official Arch Linux installation guide and improving user experience.

pacman(8), arch-chroot(8), mkfs(8), mount(8)