User:Einr/archiso packages
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Package | Category | Summary | Why | Alternatives | Tags | Wikilink | Package link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
alsa-utils | Audio | Advanced Linux Sound Architecture - Utilities: This contains (among other utilities) the alsamixer and amixer utilities. amixer is a shell command to change audio settings, while alsamixer provides a more intuitive ncurses based interface for audio device configuration. | We need these to make it easy to manage sound. Sound is an accessibility concern. | n/a | accessibility, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Advanced_Linux_Sound_Architecture#ALSA_utilities | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/alsa-utils/ |
amd-ucode | CPU | Microcode update image for AMD CPUs: Stability updates for the processor. | Makes machines with AMD processors more reliable and secure. | n/a | reliability, security | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Microcode#Installation | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/any/amd-ucode/ |
arch-install-scripts | Install | Scripts to aid in installing Arch Linux: (e.g., arch-chroot, genfstab, pacstrap) | We write these to make it easier to get the system running. | n/a | CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/DeveloperWiki:Projects | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/arch-install-scripts/ |
archinstall | Install | The official guided installer. | We wrote this to streamline the install process for the most common uses. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Category:Installation_process | CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Archinstall | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/archinstall/ |
b43-fwcutter | Networking | firmware extractor for the b43 kernel module | We included this to enable Wi-Fi support for very common Broadcom chipset devices. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless#Device_driver | Drivers, Wi-Fi, Kernel-module | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Broadcom_wireless#b43 | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/b43-fwcutter/ |
base | Core-system | Metapackage: Minimal package set to define a basic Arch Linux installation | This is the heart of the system. The packages we believe are essential for a very minimal install. | n/a | system | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Meta_package_and_package_group#Meta_packages | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/any/base/ |
bind-tools (this has been replaced by bind and not updated yet) | Networking | A complete, highly portable implementation of the DNS protocol | We included this to allow resolving domain names, e.g. archlinux.org | n/a | CLI, utils, server | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/BIND | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/bind/ |
brltty | Accessibility | Braille display driver for Linux/Unix | We need this to provide a braille terminal for the blind and sight-impaired. | n/a | accessibility, CLI | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Install_Arch_Linux_with_accessibility_options | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/brltty/ |
broadcom-wl | Networking | Broadcom 802.11 Linux STA wireless driver | We included this to enable Wi-Fi support for very common Broadcom chipset devices. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless#Device_driver | Drivers, Wi-Fi | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Broadcom_wireless#broadcom-wl | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/broadcom-wl/ |
btrfs-progs | Filesystem | Btrfs filesystem utilities | We need this to make it possible to manage the btrfs fileystem (the next most common choice from ext4) | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/File_systems#Types_of_file_systems | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Btrfs#Preparation | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/btrfs-progs/ |
clonezilla | Filesystem | ncurses partition and disk imaging/cloning program | We include this to allow convenient disk backup and partitioning operations. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Disk_cloning#Disk_cloning_software | backup, clone, partition, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Disk_cloning#Disk_cloning_software | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/clonezilla/ |
cloud-init | Cloud | The standard for customising cloud instances | It is needed in Arch Linux images that are built with the intention of being launched in cloud environments like OpenStack, AWS etc. | n/a | image, cloud-config | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Cloud-init | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/cloud-init/ |
crda | Networking | Central Regulatory Domain Agent for wireless networks | We need this to tell your Wi-Fi card which frequencies it's legal to use in your country (deprecated alternative to wireless-regdb) | wireless-regdb | Wi-Fi | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless#Respecting_the_regulatory_domain | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/crda/ |
cryptsetup | Filesystem | Userspace setup tool for transparent encryption of block devices using dm-crypt | We include this to allow you to encrypt your filesystems. | n/a | encryption, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Dm-crypt/Device_encryption#Cryptsetup_usage | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/cryptsetup/ |
darkhttpd | Server | A small and secure static webserver | We include this for instances you might need a simple web server, e.g. to use the live environment as a PXE boot server. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Category:Web_server | web-server, http | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Preboot_Execution_Environment#Transferring_archiso_root_filesystem | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/darkhttpd/ |
ddrescue | Filesystem | GNU data recovery tool | We include this to allow for robust data copy/recovery from the live environment. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Disk_cloning#Disk_cloning_software | backup, clone, data-recovery | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Disk_cloning#Using_ddrescue | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/ddrescue/ |
dhclient | Networking | A standalone DHCP client from the dhcp package | We include this so that your computer can receive an IP from, e.g., your home router. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration#DHCP | network-client | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration#DHCP | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/dhclient/ |
dhcpcd | Networking | RFC2131 compliant DHCP client daemon | Alternative to dhclient above. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration#DHCP | network-client | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Dhcpcd | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/dhcpcd/ |
diffutils | Utilities | Utility programs used for creating patch files | Very important for comparing files and applying patches. | n/a | CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Core_utilities#Essentials | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/diffutils/ |
dmraid | Filesystem | Device mapper RAID interface | We include this so that you can, e.g., setup dual-boot with Arch and another OS (there are other uses too). | n/a | RAID, boot | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Install_Arch_Linux_with_Fake_RAID | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/dmraid/ |
dnsmasq | Networking | Lightweight, easy to configure DNS forwarder and DHCP server | Serves as a DNS cache and provides a DHCP server if you need to use the live environment as a router. | n/a | network-server | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Dnsmasq | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/dnsmasq/ |
dosfstools | Filesystem | DOS filesystem utilities | For working with FAT filesystems (e.g., floppies or small USB disks) | n/a | windows, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Floppy_disks#Installation | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/dosfstools/ |
e2fsprogs | Filesystem | Ext2/3/4 filesystem utilities | Tools to work with the most common Linux filesystems. | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Ext4#Create_a_new_ext4_filesystem | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/e2fsprogs/ |
edk2-shell | Boot | EDK2 UEFI Shell | Tools to work with the UEFI boot system (contemporary replacement for BIOS). | n/a | boot, BIOS, UEFI, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Unified_Extensible_Firmware_Interface#UEFI_Shell | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/edk2-shell/ |
efibootmgr | Boot | Linux user-space application to modify the EFI Boot Manager | For UEFI systems, we need this to create and destroy boot entries, change the boot order, change the next running boot option, and more. | n/a | boot, BIOS, UEFI, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Unified_Extensible_Firmware_Interface#efibootmgr | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/efibootmgr/ |
espeakup | Accessibility | A light weight connector for espeak-ng and speakup | We need this for text-to-speech functionality. This is essential for accessibility. | n/a | audio | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Install_Arch_Linux_with_accessibility_options | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/espeakup/ |
ethtool | Networking | Utility for controlling network drivers and hardware | Useful for managing your wired NIC. | n/a | CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Wake-on-LAN#Enable_WoL_on_the_network_adapter | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/ethtool/ |
exfatprogs | Filesystem | exFAT filesystem userspace utilities for the Linux Kernel exfat drive | Useful for managing devices using exFAT filesystem (e.g. large USB drives). | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/File_systems#Types_of_file_systems | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/exfatprogs/ |
f2fs-tools | Filesystem | Tools for Flash-Friendly File System (F2FS) | Useful for managing devices using F2FS filesystem (e.g. eMMC and SD cards) | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/F2FS | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/f2fs-tools/ |
fatresize | Filesystem | A utility to resize FAT filesystems using libparted | Useful to resize FAT disk partitions. | n/a | CLI, utils, partition, disk | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/fatresize/ |
fsarchiver | Filesystem | Safe and flexible file-system backup and deployment tool | Another option for backup and copy operations. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Disk_cloning#Disk_cloning_software | CLI, backup, clone, partition, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Disk_cloning#Disk_cloning_software | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/fsarchiver/ |
gnu-netcat | Communications | GNU rewrite of netcat, the network piping application | netcat is a CLI swiss army knife for networking, so here it is. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_tools#Netcat | network-client, network-server, LAN, WAN, sockets, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_tools#Netcat | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/gnu-netcat/ |
gpart | Filesystem | Partition table rescue/guessing tool | This can guess the contents of a destroyed MBR partition table. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Partitioning#Recovery | CLI, partition, recovery | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Partitioning#Recovery | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/gpart/ |
gpm | Input | A mouse server for the console and xterm | Included to allow you to use mouse in the terminal for, e.g., curses applications. | n/a | mouse, CLI | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/General_purpose_mouse | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/gpm/ |
gptfdisk | Filesystem | A text-mode partitioning tool that works on GUID Partition Table (GPT) disks | Allows you to manage partitions for the newer style GUID GPT disks (vs older MBR) | n/a | CLI, disk, partition | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/GPT_fdisk | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/gptfdisk/ |
grml-zsh-config | Shell | grml's zsh setup | Some zsh shell configs oriented towards sysadmins and live installer use (from the GRML project). See: https://grml.org/zsh/grml-zsh-refcard.pdf | n/a | config | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Zsh#Sample_.zshrc_files | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/grml-zsh-config/ |
hdparm | Filesystem | A shell utility for manipulating Linux IDE drive/driver parameters | Helps with managing physical disk drives (e.g. put a drive to sleep). | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Hdparm | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/hdparm/ |
intel-ucode | CPU | Microcode update files for Intel CPUs | Makes machines with Intel processors more reliable and secure. | n/a | reliability, security | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Microcode | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/intel-ucode/ |
ipw2100-fw | Networking | Intel Centrino Drivers firmware for IPW2100 | Wi-Fi drivers for common Intel chipset | n/a | Wi-Fi, LAN, Drivers | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless#ipw2100_and_ipw2200 | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/any/ipw2100-fw/ |
ipw2200-fw | Networking | Firmware for the Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG | Wi-Fi drivers for common Intel chipset | n/a | Wi-Fi, LAN, Drivers | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless#ipw2100_and_ipw2200 | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/any/ipw2200-fw/ |
irssi | Communications | Modular text mode IRC client with Perl scripting | A chat client. Why not chat to us from the live environment? | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/List_of_applications/Internet#IRC_clients | chat, IRC | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Irssi | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/irssi/ |
iw | Networking | nl80211 based CLI configuration utility for wireless devices | Allows you to configure your Wi-Fi networking. | n/a | Wi-Fi, LAN, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless#iw | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/iw/ |
iwd | Networking | Internet Wireless Daemon | Provides iwctl tool. Use to connect to wi-fi networks. | n/a | Wi-Fi, LAN, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Iwd | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/iwd/ |
jfsutils | Filesystem | JFS filesystem utilities | CLI tools to work with Journaled File System | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/File_systems#Types_of_file_systems | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/JFS | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/jfsutils/ |
kitty-terminfo | Terminal | Terminfo for kitty, an OpenGL-based terminal emulator | Why do we include this? I don't see kitty itself included. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/List_of_applications/Utilities#Terminal_emulators | config, CLI | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Kitty | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/kitty-terminfo/ |
less | Utilities | A terminal based program for viewing text files | Provides pagination for, e.g., viewing large text files in a terminal | n/a | CLI, utils | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/less/ |
lftp | Communications | Sophisticated command line based FTP client | We include this for any HTTP, FTP, SFTP, FISH, and BitTorrent client operations you may need to perform. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/List_of_applications/Internet#FTP | network-client, LAN, WAN, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/List_of_applications/Internet#FTP | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/lftp/ |
libfido2 | Security | Library functionality for FIDO 2.0, including communication with a device over USB | Allows use of a 2nd factor hardware authenticator, e.g. for SSH connections. | n/a | auth | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/SSH_keys#FIDO/U2F | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/libfido2/ |
libusb-compat | USB | Library to enable user space application programs to communicate with USB devices | We include this to simplify USB device interaction. | n/a | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/libusb-compat/ | |
linux | Core-system | The Linux kernel and modules | What makes the system run. | n/a | system | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Kernel | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/linux/ |
linux-atm | Networking | Drivers and tools to support ATM networking under Linux. | Why do we include this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asynchronous_Transfer_Mode | n/a | WAN, obsolete | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/linux-atm/ |
linux-firmware | Core-system | Firmware files for Linux | These are the most essential proprietary device firmware binary blobs. | n/a | system | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/any/linux-firmware/ |
livecd-sounds | Audio | Sound files for accessibility features in a boot medium | These are the accessibility sounds. | n/a | accessibility | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/livecd-sounds/ |
lsscsi | Filesystem | A tool that lists devices connected via SCSI and its transports | CLI tool to see info about SCSI devices, e.g. disk drives | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/lsscsi/ |
lvm2 | Filesystem | Logical Volume Manager 2 utilities | Allows you to setup logical volumes (partitioning independent of physical disks) | n/a | CLI, utils, disk, partition | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/LVM | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/lvm2/ |
lynx | Communications | A text browser for the World Wide Web | Lets you browse the web, e.g. to read the Arch Wiki Installation Guide | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/List_of_applications#Web_browsers | CLI, browser | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/List_of_applications#Web_browsers | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/lynx/ |
man-db | Help | A utility for reading man pages | So that you can get help on commands in the terminal. | n/a | documentation | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Man_page | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/man-db/ |
man-pages | Help | Linux man pages | So that you can get help on commands in the terminal. | n/a | documentation | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Man_page | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/any/man-pages/ |
mc | Filesystem | A file manager that emulates Norton Commander | Lets you interactively manage your files in the terminal. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/List_of_applications/Utilities#File_managers | CLI, utils, curses | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Midnight_Commander | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/mc/ |
mdadm | Filesystem | A tool for managing/monitoring Linux md device arrays, also known as Software RAID | Software RAID management. We include this so that you can, e.g., setup dual-boot with Arch and another OS (there are other uses too). | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/RAID | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/mdadm/ |
memtest86+ | Memory | Advanced memory diagnostic too | So that you can ensure your RAM is stable / error free. | n/a | CLI, utils, RAM | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Stress_testing#Stressing_memory | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/memtest86+/ |
mkinitcpio | Boot | Modular initramfs image creation utility | This is the tool that creates the file which gets loaded into memory and acts as the boot-time root filesystem. | n/a | boot, RAM, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Mkinitcpio | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/any/mkinitcpio/ |
mkinitcpio-archiso | Boot | Initcpio scripts used by archiso | These are to help setup the initrd of the live media. | n/a | boot, RAM, utils | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/mkinitcpio-archiso/ |
mkinitcpio-nfs-utils | Boot | ipconfig and nfsmount tools for NFS root support in mkinitcpio | For if you want to boot from NFS (network storage) | n/a | boot, networking, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Mkinitcpio#Using_net | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/mkinitcpio-nfs-utils/ |
modemmanager | Networking | Mobile broadband modem management service | To control 3G/4G modems (e.g. USB devices or bluetooth-paired phones) | n/a | cellular-data, WAN, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Mobile_broadband_modem#ModemManager | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/modemmanager/ |
mtools | Filesystem | A collection of utilities to access MS-DOS disks | For working with FAT filesystems (e.g., floppies or small USB disks) | n/a | disk, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/FAT#Detecting_FAT_type | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/mtools/ |
nano | Utilities | Pico editor clone with enhancements | A simple text editor, e.g. for changing config files | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Category:Text_editors | utils, text | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Nano | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/nano/ |
nbd | Filesystem | tools for network block devices, allowing you to use remote block devices over TCP/IP | For if you want to boot from NBD (network storage) | n/a | networking, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Diskless_system | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/nbd/ |
ndisc6 | Networking | Collection of IPv6 networking utilities | For if you need to use IPv6 | n/a | networking, utils | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/ndisc6/ |
nfs-utils | Filesystem | Support programs for Network File Systems | For if you're working with NFS (network storage) | n/a | networking, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NFS | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/nfs-utils/ |
nilfs-utils | Filesystem | A log-structured file system supporting continuous snapshotting (userspace utils) | For working with NILFS2 filesystems. | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/File_systems#Types_of_file_systems | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/nilfs-utils/ |
nmap | Communications | Utility for network discovery and security auditing | Included for, e.g., polling for open ports on your network (many uses) | n/a | network-client, LAN, WAN, CLI, utils, security | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Nmap | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/nmap/ |
ntfs-3g | Filesystem | NTFS filesystem driver and utilities | To allow read/write access to NTFS (Windows) filesystems | n/a | disk, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NTFS-3G | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/ntfs-3g/ |
nvme-cli | Filesystem | NVM-Express user space tooling for Linux | Tools for working with fast, new SSDs over PCI-e (NVMe) | n/a | disk, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Solid_state_drive/NVMe | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/nvme-cli/ |
openconnect | Networking | Open client for Cisco AnyConnect VPN | Allows you to connect to a Cisco VPN | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Category:Virtual_Private_Network | network-client, encryption, WAN, VPN | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/OpenConnect | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/openconnect/ |
openssh | Communications | Premier connectivity tool for remote login with the SSH protoco | We include this to allow any remote logins you might need to do from the live environment. | n/a | network-client, network-server, WAN, CLI, utils, networking, encryption | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/OpenSSH | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/openssh/ |
openvpn | Networking | An easy-to-use, robust and highly configurable VPN (Virtual Private Network) | Allows you to connect to an OpenVPN network | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Category:Virtual_Private_Network | network-client, encryption, WAN, VPN | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/OpenVPN | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/openvpn/ |
partclone | Filesystem | Utilities to save and restore used blocks on a partition | Allows you to back up and restore partitions in a used-blocks-only manner. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Disk_cloning#Disk_cloning_software | CLI, backup, clone, partition, disk, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Partclone | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/partclone/ |
parted | Filesystem | A program for creating, destroying, resizing, checking and copying partitions | A commonly used option for partitioning disks. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Partitioning#Partitioning_tools | CLI, partition, disk, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Parted | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/parted/ |
partimage | Filesystem | Partition Image saves partitions in many formats to an image file. | Allows you to back up and restore partitions in an imaging-based manner. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Disk_cloning#Disk_cloning_software | CLI, partition, disk, backup, image, utils | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/partimage/ |
pcsclite | Radio | PC/SC Architecture smartcard middleware library | Allows interaction with smartcard and NFC devices. | n/a | nfc | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NFC | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/pcsclite/ |
ppp | Networking | A daemon which implements the Point-to-Point Protocol for dial-up networking | Allows use of, e.g., 3G, L2TP, and PPPoE for networking. | n/a | radio, 3G, dial-up, WAN | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Ppp | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/ppp/ |
pptpclient | Networking | Client for the proprietary Microsoft Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, PPTP | Allow connection to PPTP VPNs, (e.g. Microsoft-based) | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Category:Virtual_Private_Network | network-client, encryption, VPN | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/PPTP_Client | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/pptpclient/ |
pv | Communications | A terminal-based tool for monitoring the progress of data through a pipeline | "Pipe Viewer" lets you see visually how far along a data transfer is in the terminal (similar to how pacman eats data when pulling packages) | n/a | CLI, utils, networking | n/a | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/pv/ |
qemu-guest-agent | Virtualization | QEMU Guest Agent | Allows you to send QMP commands to a guest virtual machine within the live environment. | n/a | VM, CLI, utils | n/a, see: https://wiki.qemu.org/Features/GuestAgent | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/qemu-guest-agent/ |
reflector | Package-management | A Python 3 module and script to retrieve and filter the latest Pacman mirror list | Allows you to get the latest mirror list from the Arch Linux Mirror Status page, filter the most up-to-date mirrors, sort them by speed and overwrite the file /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist | n/a | pacman, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Reflector | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/reflector/ |
reiserfsprogs | Filesystem | Reiserfs utilities | Useful for managing devices using ReiserFS filesystem | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/File_systems#Types_of_file_systems | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/File_systems#Types_of_file_systems | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/reiserfsprogs/ |
rp-pppoe | Networking | Roaring Penguin's Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet client | Allows you to connect to, e.g., a DSL internet provider | n/a | network-client, WAN, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Ppp | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/rp-pppoe/ |
rsync | Filesystem | A fast and versatile file copying tool for remote and local files | One of the most robust and versatile tools for all sorts of file copy activity, particularly keeping things syncronized. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Synchronization_and_backup_programs#Data_synchronization | disk, networking, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Rsync | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/rsync/ |
rxvt-unicode-terminfo | Terminal | Terminfo files for urxvt | Why do we include this? I don't see rxvt itself included. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/List_of_applications/Utilities#Terminal_emulators | config, CLI | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Rxvt-unicode | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/rxvt-unicode-terminfo/ |
screen | Terminal | GNU Screen: Full-screen window manager that multiplexes a physical terminal | Allows you to, e.g., setup a persistent terminal you can detach from and come back to later. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Category:Terminal_multiplexers | persistence, CLI | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/GNU_Screen | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/screen/ |
sdparm | Filesystem | An utility similar to hdparm but for SCSI devices | Helps with managing SCSI disk drives (e.g. put a drive to sleep). | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Hdparm | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/sdparm/ |
sg3_utils | Filesystem | Generic SCSI utilities | A general toolset to send low level commands to SCSI devices (e.g. SAS, CD/DVD, Fibre Channel). | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | n/a, see: http://sg.danny.cz/sg/sg3_utils.html | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/sg3_utils/ |
smartmontools | Filesystem | Control and monitor S.M.A.R.T. enabled ATA and SCSI Hard Drives | CLI tools to help you check on the health of your disks. | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/S.M.A.R.T. | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/smartmontools/ |
sof-firmware | Audio | Sound Open Firmware | To get soundcards working, also more generally for DSP signal processing. | n/a | drivers, sound | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation_guide#Install_essential_packages | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/sof-firmware/ |
squashfs-tools | Filesystem | Tools for squashfs, a highly compressed read-only filesystem for Linux. | For working with SquashFS filesystems; used, e.g., for archives. | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/File_systems#Read-only_file_systems | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/squashfs-tools/ |
sudo | Security | Give certain users the ability to run some commands as root | A tool to, e.g., help avoid doing too much with the most privileged root user. | n/a | auth | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Sudo | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/sudo/ |
syslinux | Boot | Collection of boot loaders that boot from FAT, ext2/3/4 and btrfs filesystems, from CDs and via PXE | Allows boot from drives, CDs, over network with PXE. (GRUB is a more robust alternative) | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Arch_boot_process#Boot_loader | boot, networking, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Syslinux | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/syslinux/ |
systemd-resolvconf | Networking | systemd resolvconf replacement (for use with systemd-resolved) | It's a DNS middleware to help manage /etc/resolv.conf (since lots of software might want to dynamically manage it) | n/a | network-client, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Systemd-resolved#Automatically | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/systemd-resolvconf/ |
tcpdump | Networking | Powerful command-line packet analyzer | Lets you see what TCP/IP packets are coming and going from your system. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Wireshark | network-debug | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_Debugging#Tcpdump | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/tcpdump/ |
terminus-font | Terminal | Monospace bitmap font (for X11 and console) | We like this console font. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Fonts | fonts | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Linux_console#Fonts | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/any/terminus-font/ |
testdisk | Filesystem | Checks and undeletes partitions + PhotoRec, signature based recovery tool | Helps recover lost partitions and/or make non-booting disks bootable again when these symptoms are caused by faulty software, certain types of viruses, or human error, such as the accidental deletion of partition tables. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/File_recovery | CLI, backup, data-recovery, partition, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/File_recovery#TestDisk_and_PhotoRec | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/testdisk/ |
tmux | Terminal | A terminal multiplexer | Allows you to, e.g., setup a persistent terminal you can detach from and come back to later (a more modern alterantive to screen) | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Category:Terminal_multiplexers | persistence, CLI | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Tmux | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/tmux/ |
tpm2-tss | Security | Implementation of the TCG Trusted Platform Module 2.0 Software Stack (TSS2) | Libraries to work with a TPM and enable, e.g., secure-boot, key storage, and RNG | n/a | encryption, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Trusted_Platform_Module#Other_good_examples_of_TPM_2.0_usage | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/tpm2-tss/ |
udftools | Filesystem | Linux tools for UDF filesystems and DVD/CD-R(W) drives | For working with UDF filesystems (e.g., on CD/DVDs) | n/a | disk, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/File_systems#Types_of_file_systems | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/udftools/ |
usb_modeswitch | USB | Activating switchable USB devices on Linux. | For changing the running mode of USB devices (e.g., mass-storage or controllable for a digicam) | n/a | CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Mobile_broadband_modem#Mode_switching | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/usb_modeswitch/ |
usbmuxd | USB | USB Multiplex Daemon | For connecting to iOS (Apple mobile) devices | n/a | iOS | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/IOS#Usbmux_daemon | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/IOS#Usbmux_daemon |
usbutils | USB | A collection of USB tools to query connected USB devices | Useful to, e.g., list attached USB devices (lsusb). | graphical: usbview | CLI, utils | n/a (there probably ought to be a wiki page about this…) | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/usbutils/ |
vim | Utilities | Vi Improved, a highly configurable, improved version of the vi text editor | The go-to configurable, quick-loading text editor of many sysadmins. Steep learning curve. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/List_of_applications/Documents#Text_editors | utils, text | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Vim | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/vim/ |
virtualbox-guest-utils-nox | Virtualization | VirtualBox Guest userspace utilities without X support | For if you are running the live environment as a Virtualbox Guest VM | n/a | VM, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/VirtualBox#Installation_steps_for_Arch_Linux_guests | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/virtualbox-guest-utils-nox/ |
vpnc | Networking | VPN client for cisco3000 VPN Concentrators | Allows you to connect to a Cisco hardware VPN | n/a | network-client, encryption, WAN, VPN | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Vpnc | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/vpnc/ |
wireless-regdb | Networking | Central Regulatory Domain Database | We need this to tell your Wi-Fi card which frequencies it's legal to use in your country | crda | Wi-Fi | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless#Respecting_the_regulatory_domain | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/any/wireless-regdb/ |
wireless_tools | Networking | Tools allowing to manipulate the Wireless Extensions | Tools like iwconfig and iwlist to help configure your Wi-Fi NICs. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless#Utilities | Wi-Fi, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless#iw_and_wireless_tools_comparison | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/wireless_tools/ |
wpa_supplicant | Networking | A utility providing key negotiation for WPA wireless networks | A tool for connecting to Wi-Fi networks. | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Iwd | Wi-Fi, CLI, utils | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Wpa_supplicant | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/wpa_supplicant/ |
wvdial | Networking | A dialer program to connect to the Internet | A tool to connect to PPP networks, for internet access (e.g. over a 3G modem). | n/a | radio, 3G, dial-up, WAN | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Wvdial | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/wvdial/ |
xfsprogs | Filesystem | XFS filesystem utilities | Tools to work with XFS filesystems. | n/a | CLI, utils, disk | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/XFS | https://archlinux.org/packages/core/x86_64/xfsprogs/ |
xl2tpd | Networking | an open source implementation of the L2TP | Mostly to allow PPP-based internet connections. | n/a | radio, 3G, dial-up, WAN | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Ppp | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/xl2tpd/ |
zsh | Shell | A very advanced and programmable command interpreter (shell) for UNIX | The shell and terminal interpreter used for the live environment. (bash is a common alternative) | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Command-line_shell | CLI, terminal | https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Zsh | https://archlinux.org/packages/extra/x86_64/zsh/ |