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Arch Installer - What Actually Happens

Current Flow (Step by Step)

When you run ./os/linux/install_arch.sh:

1. Confirmation Prompt

This will set up your Arch Linux development environment to match your Mac setup.
Continue? (y/n)

2. Install Essentials (automatic)

Always installed without asking: - git - github-cli (gh command) - curl, wget - base-devel (needed for compiling) - openssh

3. Install Developer CLI Tools (automatic)

Always installed without asking: - docker - nodejs, npm - zsh

AUR packages (installs yay if needed): - nvm (Node version manager) - pnpm-bin (fast npm alternative)

4. Setup Zsh (asks)

Install Powerlevel10k theme? (y/n)
- If yes: Clones p10k to Oh My Zsh directory - If no: You get basic prompt from .zshrc

5. Install GUI Applications (asks)

This will install your standard app suite:
  • Google Chrome
  • VS Code
  • NordPass + NordVPN
  • Figma
  • Notion

Install all GUI applications? (y/n)

If yes, installs: - google-chrome - visual-studio-code-bin - nordpass-bin - nordvpn-bin - figma-linux - notion-app

NOT INSTALLED: - Bitwarden (missing - should this replace NordPass?) - Claude Code (only shows instructions)

6. Install JetBrains Toolbox (asks)

Install JetBrains Toolbox (for WebStorm)? (y/n)
- If yes: Installs jetbrains-toolbox - Then shows instructions for WebStorm setup

7. Claude Code (manual only)

NOT AUTOMATED:

Claude Code needs to be downloaded manually:
  1. Visit: https://claude.ai/download
  2. Download the Linux .deb or .AppImage
  3. Install with: sudo pacman -U <package>.pkg.tar.zst

Open Claude Code download page? (y/n)
- Just opens browser to download page

8. Optional Apps (asks for each)

Install spotify? (y/n)
Install discord? (y/n)
Install slack-desktop? (y/n)
Install postman-bin? (y/n)

9. Setup Dotfiles (automatic)

Always done: - Clones dotfiles repo if not present - Creates symlinks: - ~/.gitconfig - ~/.zshrc - ~/.ideavimrc - ~/.p10k.zsh

10. Setup SSH (asks)

Generate SSH key? (y/n)
- Creates ed25519 key - Adds to ssh-agent - Shows public key to add to GitHub

11. GitHub CLI Auth (asks)

Authenticate with GitHub now? (y/n)
- Runs gh auth login interactively

12. Enable Docker (automatic)

Always done: - Enables docker service - Adds user to docker group - ⚠️ Requires logout to take effect

13. Change Shell to Zsh (automatic)

Always done: - Sets zsh as default shell - ⚠️ Requires logout to take effect

14. Summary

Shows what was installed and what still needs to be done manually.


What's MISSING

❌ Not Automated:

  1. Claude Code - Only shows download link
  2. Bitwarden - Not included at all (you mentioned using it)
  3. Fonts - No Nerd Fonts installed (needed for p10k icons)

⚠️ Requires Manual Steps After:

  1. Download Claude Code manually
  2. Open JetBrains Toolbox, install WebStorm
  3. Enable IdeaVim plugin in WebStorm
  4. Sign into NordPass/Bitwarden
  5. Sign into NordVPN
  6. Log out and back in (for docker group and zsh)

What Could Be Better

1. Claude Code

Current: Manual download Could be: - Check AUR for claude-desktop or similar package - Or script the download + installation - Or use Flatpak/AppImage auto-install

2. Bitwarden vs NordPass

Current: Only NordPass Should: - Ask which password manager you use - Or install both - Which do you actually use?

3. Fonts

Current: Not installed Should: - Install Nerd Fonts (Meslo, FiraCode) - Needed for p10k icons to display correctly

4. JetBrains Toolbox

Current: Installs but requires manual WebStorm setup Could be: - Script to auto-configure WebStorm settings - Or at least better instructions

5. Oh My Zsh

Current: Not installed Should: - Install Oh My Zsh if using p10k - Or clarify p10k works standalone


Questions for You

  1. Password Manager: Do you use NordPass or Bitwarden or both?
  2. Claude Code: Want me to try to automate this via AUR or AppImage?
  3. Fonts: Should I auto-install Nerd Fonts?
  4. Oh My Zsh: Should I install this too or keep p10k standalone?
  5. Any other apps missing? Think about what you use daily.

What I Should Add

Based on your needs, I think I should:

  1. ✅ Add Bitwarden (or replace NordPass?)
  2. ✅ Try to automate Claude Code (check AUR for claude-desktop-bin)
  3. ✅ Install Nerd Fonts automatically
  4. ✅ Add Oh My Zsh installation (needed for p10k in Arch script)
  5. ✅ Better post-install instructions
  6. ✅ Maybe add more dev tools (Docker Compose, etc.)

Should I make these updates?