User:Einr/archiso packages

From ArchWiki
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bind-tools (this has been replaced by bind and not updated yet) Networking A complete, highly portable implementation of the DNS protocol We included this to allow resolving domain names, e.g.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/