Arch and Derivatives

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1. Install an AUR Helper

One of the most prominent and enticing features of Arch Linux is the Arch User Repository (AUR). The AUR is a community-driven repository that provides package descriptions (PKGBUILDs). These allow you to compile software from source using makepkg and then install it with pacman.

To use the AUR, you’ll need to install an AUR helper such as yay or paru. Most Arch-based distros (like Manjaro or EndeavourOS) already come with one preinstalled, but on pure Arch Linux you’ll need to set it up yourself.

Yay (Yet Another Yogurt – written in Go):

sudo pacman -S --needed git base-devel && git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git && cd yay && makepkg -si

Paru (a pacman wrapper with extra features):

sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/paru.git
cd paru
makepkg -si

An AUR helper isrequired for installing Asus software on Arch, and you can also use it to install popular applications like Visual Studio Code, DaVinci Resolve, and much more.

The AUR is community-driven. Anyone can upload packages, so there’s always a small risk of malicious code. Always read the PKGBUILD file before installing to see exactly what commands will run on your system.

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2. Enable Multilib (Required for Drivers and Wine)

Open the pacman configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/pacman.conf

Uncomment these lines:

[multilib]
Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

2.1 Driver Installation

If you're using an Nvidia GPU, you’ll also need to install proprietary drivers manually. AMD users can skip this, since Mesa drivers are included in the kernel and work out of the box.

Unlike Windows, most drivers are already included in the Linux kernel. You usually don’t need to install them manually.

Make sure Secure Boot is disabled, or the Nvidia driver won’t load.

Update system:

sudo pacman -Syu

Check GPU detection:

lspci | grep -i nvidia

If it doesn’t show, try switching to Hybrid GPU mode using supergfxctl and run the command again.

For EndeavourOS users:

yay -S nvidia-inst
nvidia-inst

Manual installation (other Arch-based distros):

sudo pacman -S nvidia nvidia-utils lib32-nvidia-utils nvidia-settings vulkan-icd-loader lib32-vulkan-icd-loader

Optional: Vulkan drivers

• AMD:

sudo pacman -S mesa lib32-mesa vulkan-radeon lib32-vulkan-radeon libva-mesa-driver libva-utils

• Intel:

sudo pacman -S mesa lib32-mesa vulkan-intel lib32-vulkan-intel intel-media-driver libva-utils

After installing, wait 5–8 minutes for the kernel module to build in the background.

Enable Nvidia services:

sudo systemctl enable nvidia-hibernate.service nvidia-suspend.service nvidia-resume.service nvidia-powerd.service

2.2 Asus Software Installation

Install Asus tools:

yay -S asusctl rog-control-center supergfxctl

Enable GPU switching daemon:

sudo systemctl enable supergfxd.service
sudo systemctl start supergfxd.service

Ignore the "Asus kernel isn’t loaded" message in rog-control-center. It’s safe.

2.3 Switching GPU Modes

GNOME: Install the supergfxctl-gex extension. KDE:

yay -S plasma6-applets-supergfxctl
plasmashell --replace &

Switch to Hybrid mode:

supergfxctl --mode Hybrid

Changing to/from Hybrid mode requires logout. Ultimate mode requires a reboot.

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3. Fixing Hotkeys

Some hotkeys are handled by the BIOS directly and can’t be remapped. Test by creating a shortcut and see if it registers.

GNOME

• Go to Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts

• Click “+” to add a new shortcut

KDE

• Go to System Settings > Shortcuts > Custom Shortcuts

• Create a new Global Shortcut → Command/URL

Add the following Commands with their own hotkey:

• Open Armoury Crate: rog-control-center

• Toggle Aura lighting: asusctl aura -n

• Change performance profile: asusctl profile -n

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4. Update Mirrors to Use the Fastest Server

Backup current mirrorlist:

sudo cp /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.bak

Enable parallel downloads:

sudo nano /etc/pacman.conf

Set ParallelDownloads = 10

Install reflector:

sudo pacman -S reflector

Update mirrors:

sudo reflector --verbose --latest 10 --protocol https --sort rate --save /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

Restore backup if needed:

sudo cp /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.bak /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

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5. Enable Bluetooth (If it isn't enabled by default)

Install:

sudo pacman -S bluez bluez-utils

Enable service:

sudo systemctl enable bluetooth
sudo systemctl start bluetooth

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6. Power Management

6.1 TLP

TLP is a feature-rich command line utility for Linux, saving laptop battery power without the need to delve deeper into technical details. TLP's default settings are already optimized for battery life and implement Powertop's recommendations out of the box, so additional configuration is not needed. Also, TLP is completely customizable, which means you can get even more power savings or meet your exact requirements.

Install TLP:

sudo pacman -S tlp
sudo systemctl enable tlp
sudo systemctl start tlp

TLP conflicts with power-profiles-daemon. Remove it or mask its services with:

systemctl mask power-profiles-daemon.service

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6.2 Auto-CPUFreq

Automatic CPU speed & power optimizer for Linux. Actively monitors laptop battery state, CPU usage, CPU temperature, and system load, ultimately allowing you to improve battery life without making any compromises.

Using AUR:

yay -S auto-cpufreq

Installation from the AUR requires a bit of manual intervention. You'll need to run the following command to disable power-profiles-daemon if it's installed, otherwise cpu-auto-freq may not function correctly:

systemctl mask power-profiles-daemon.service

Manual Install:

git clone https://github.com/AdnanHodzic/auto-cpufreq.git && cd auto-cpufreq && sudo ./auto-cpufreq-installer

After installation, open the cpu-auto-freq app and verify if it’s working properly.

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7. Bonus: Pacman Animation

Edit pacman config:

sudo nano /etc/pacman.conf

Uncomment:

Color

Add:

ILoveCandy

Update system:

sudo pacman -Syu