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mrgreen3 edited this page Dec 28, 2025 · 1 revision

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Q: What is ArchBANG?

A: ArchBANG is a minimal, lightweight Linux distribution based on Arch Linux with the labwc window manager pre-configured with a clean, user-friendly setup.

Q: What makes ArchBANG different from the original ArchBang?

A: ArchBANG uses labwc (a Wayland compositor) instead of Openbox, providing modern Wayland support while maintaining the same lightweight philosophy.

Q: Is ArchBANG suitable for beginners?

A: While ArchBANG is fairly accessible, it's more suited for users with some Linux experience. For absolute beginners, consider starting with distributions like Ubuntu or Linux Mint.

Installation & System

Q: What are the minimum system requirements?

A: 2GB RAM, 20GB disk space, and a modern x86_64 processor. See Requirements for details.

Q: Can I dual-boot ArchBANG with Windows?

A: Yes, ArchBANG can be installed alongside Windows. Use a tool like GParted to partition your disk first.

Q: How do I update my system?

A: Use the Pacman package manager:

sudo pacman -Syu

Q: Where is my data stored?

A: Your home directory is typically /home/username/. Configuration files are in ~/.config/.

Usage

Q: How do I open applications?

A: Press Super + Space (or Alt + Space) to open the launcher, then type to search.

Q: How do I switch between windows?

A: Press Alt + Tab to cycle through open windows, or press Super + [1-4] to switch workspaces.

Q: Can I customize the keybindings?

A: Yes! Edit ~/.config/labwc/rc.xml and press Super + Shift + c to reload.

Q: How do I take a screenshot?

A: Press the Print key. Screenshots are saved to your Pictures directory.

Q: Can I use my own wallpaper?

A: Yes, wallpapers can be set in the labwc theme configuration or through desktop environment settings.

Configuration

Q: Where are config files located?

A: Configuration files are in ~/.config/ directory:

  • Window manager: ~/.config/labwc/
  • Launcher: ~/.config/rofi/
  • Terminal: ~/.config/foot/

Q: How do I restore default settings?

A: Copy the default configuration:

cp /etc/skel/.config/* ~/.config/

Q: Can I change the theme?

A: Yes, see the Configuration Guide for theme customization.

Applications

Q: What's included by default?

A: Core tools include:

  • foot (terminal)
  • Firefox (web browser)
  • Thunar (file manager)
  • l3afpad (text editor)
  • rofi (application launcher)

Q: Can I install additional applications?

A: Yes, use Pacman:

sudo pacman -S package-name

Q: What if an application won't start?

A: See the Troubleshooting page for solutions.

Development

Q: Can I use ArchBANG for development?

A: Absolutely! Install development tools via Pacman (gcc, git, vim, etc.).

Q: How do I access the full command line?

A: Open a terminal with Super + t or press Alt + F2 for a run dialog.

Support

Q: Where can I get help?

A: Check:

Q: How do I report a bug?

A: Open an issue on GitHub with:

  • Steps to reproduce
  • Expected behavior
  • Actual behavior
  • System information

Q: Can I contribute to ArchBANG?

A: Yes! See the Contributing guide for details.

License & Legal

Q: What license is ArchBANG under?

A: ArchBANG follows the same license as Arch Linux and its included packages.

Q: Can I use ArchBANG commercially?

A: Yes, it's open source and free to use for any purpose, including commercial use.

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