How to Install COSMIC Desktop in Arch Linux

Installing the COSMIC Desktop environment in Arch Linux is a straightforward process that can be done with a few simple steps. COSMIC is a modern and user-friendly desktop environment developed by the popular Linux distribution, Pop!_OS. It offers a clean and intuitive interface that is suitable for both beginners and experienced users.

To install COSMIC Desktop in Arch Linux, follow the steps outlined below:

  1. Update your system: Before installing any new software, it is recommended to update your system to ensure you have the latest packages. Open a terminal and run the following command:

    sudo pacman -Syu
  2. Install necessary packages: COSMIC Desktop requires a few packages to be installed on your system. Use the following command to install these packages:

    sudo pacman -S gnome-shell gnome-backgrounds gnome-session gdm gnome-terminal gnome-tweaks
  3. Enable GDM: GNOME Display Manager (GDM) is required to run COSMIC Desktop. Enable and start the GDM service with the following commands:

    sudo systemctl enable gdm
    sudo systemctl start gdm
  4. Download COSMIC Desktop: Download the COSMIC Desktop extension from the Pop!_OS GitHub repository. You can download it using the following command:

    git clone https://github.com/pop-os/shell/archive/refs/heads/cosmic.zip
  5. Install COSMIC Desktop: Extract the downloaded zip file and move the contents to the GNOME Shell extensions directory using the following commands:

    unzip cosmic.zip
    cd shell-cosmic
    ./build.sh
    ./build.sh install
  6. Enable COSMIC Desktop: Open the GNOME Tweaks tool and enable the COSMIC Desktop extension from the Extensions tab.

  7. Restart your system: After enabling the COSMIC Desktop extension, restart your system to apply the changes. You can do this by logging out and then logging back in or by restarting your system.

Once you have completed these steps, you should now have the COSMIC Desktop environment installed on your Arch Linux system. You can customize and configure COSMIC Desktop to suit your preferences using the GNOME Tweaks tool.

In conclusion, installing COSMIC Desktop in Arch Linux is a simple process that can be done with just a few commands. With its modern and user-friendly interface, COSMIC Desktop is a great choice for Arch Linux users looking to enhance their desktop experience.