Getting started with OnixOS

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OnixOS uses pacman with project-maintained repositories and image profiles. A profile determines the live environment, its package selection and the installer path.

1. Choose an image

The standard images are Core, KDE, GNOME, XFCE, Security and Server. Start with the edition overview if you are deciding between them. The profile definitions currently describe standard install images for x86_64; repository build targets for other architectures do not by themselves guarantee a matching released ISO.

Choose an image on the Download page. It links to stable releases on SourceForge and the Development release in OnixOS Public Files. Check the profile and architecture in the image name before writing it.

2. Prepare installation media

Write the ISO to a USB drive with an image-writing tool. Writing an image erases the selected USB device; check its device name before confirming. Back up files on the computer before beginning an installation.

The profile sources declare their supported live boot modes. Core’s CLI installer expects a UEFI/GPT target. The Server installer supports BIOS and UEFI. Read the installation guide before choosing the image and boot mode.

3. Start the profile installer

Image	Installer
Core	`onixos-cli-installer`, a text interface
KDE, GNOME, XFCE and Security	Calamares
Server	Server profile’s automated installer
Any standard profile	`archinstall` is available as a fallback

These paths are not interchangeable: the live profile supplies the installer and its configuration. The installation guide describes the steps and disk-selection cautions for each path.

4. Update the installed system

Pacman manages package transactions. onix-base also provides opkg, a helper that refreshes mirrors when reflector is installed and then performs a full upgrade:

opkg update

You can instead update directly with pacman:

sudo pacman -Syu

Avoid refreshing package databases without completing the corresponding full upgrade. See package management before adding repositories or installing packages from the AUR.

5. Continue with the right guide

Package management — install, remove, search and update packages.
Repositories — configure OnixOS package sources.
System configuration — inspect and repair system settings.
Troubleshooting — safe first checks for common issues.
OnixOS profiles — compare the image manifests and package selections.
O Language — a separate language project with its own installation and tutorials.

For community support, visit the OnixOS forum. Report source issues in the relevant project on GitLab.