M0n4rch Linux

M0n4rch Linux is a complete desktop based on Arch Linux using the LTS kernel. It is configured to use BSPWM and KDE Plasma desktops.

As a long-time Arch Linux user and offensive security professional, I decided to start this project to create a ready-made distribution with the same settings I usually use on a day-to-day basis.

However, the biggest motivation for this project was the possibility of studying and deepening my knowledge of Linux.

This project is released under the GPL open source license and demonstrates one possible method for constructing an Arch Linux based system. The files are free to use and modify. Please keep the author attribution intact when utilizing this project.

User password: m0n4rch
Root password: toor

Building

To build the ISO image, it is recommended that it be done from Arch Linux so that specific tools can be used.

AUR Packages

As AUR packages are not part of the official manager, you need to create a local repository where they will be ready to be installed when building the ISO.

The local repository is mounted in the custom directory in the project root.

All package AUR repository URLs are contained in the repos file.

Still within the custom directory there is the PkgBuilds folder which contains some essential packages for the functioning of Calamares and which have been changed from the original.

The compile.sh script uses chroot to create a package compilation environment using mkarchroot and makechrootpkg.

After the appropriate changes and execution of the script, all packages will be ready in the custom directory.

It is extremely important that the pacman.conf file existing in the project root directory is updated to import the local repository. It should look like this:

[custom]
SigLevel = Optional TrustAll
Server = file:///path/to/custom

Build

To build the ISO, the setup.sh script at the root of the project will do the automated step-by-step process. It is important to check the need to change some variables configured at the beginning of the script:

ISONAME="m0n4rch"
USERNM="m0n4rch"
USERPASSWD="m0n4rch"
ROOTPASSWD="toor"
HSTNM="m0n4rch"

If you want to leave it as default, the script must be run as root.

sudo ./setup.sh

At the end of the process, an ISO file will be generated in the out/ directory that will load a live environment that uses BSPWM by default.

When logging into the live environment session, a script will automatically update the keyring and mirrors of pacman and then Calamares will be executed to begin the installation.

Disclaimer

All of my scripts and documents are free for public use and adaptation, as per the terms as licensed under the GNU Public License 3.0. Please use and enjoy.