# What Are the Two Main Arch Packages Omarchy Is Distributed As? A Complete AUR Guide

> Discover the two main Arch packages for Omarchy: omarchy for stable and omarchy-dev for development. Learn how to install Omarchy from the AUR with this complete guide.

- Repository: [37signals/omarchy](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-08-24

---

**Omarchy is distributed exclusively through the Arch User Repository (AUR) as two primary packages: `omarchy` for stable releases and `omarchy-dev` for development builds.**

The `basecamp/omarchy` repository provides a desktop environment built specifically for Arch Linux. When selecting **Arch packages Omarchy**, users choose between a production-ready stable release and a bleeding-edge development version, both of which install identical core binaries under `/usr/share/omarchy`.

## The Two Main Arch Packages

Omarchy maintains two distinct distribution channels in the AUR to separate stable releases from active development.

### `omarchy` — The Stable Release

The **`omarchy`** package tracks the most recent stable tag from the repository. According to the AUR metadata, this package provides the production-ready version of the desktop environment. It builds from tagged releases rather than active development branches, ensuring consistency for daily use. The installation delivers the main entry-point script located at `bin/omarchy` and configuration files such as `default/omarchy/omarchy-menu.jsonc` directly to `/usr/share/omarchy`.

### `omarchy-dev` — The Development (Quattro) Branch

The **`omarchy-dev`** package tracks the “quattro” development branch. This version is built from the current development state rather than a stable tag, providing the newest features and fixes immediately. While it exposes the same command-line interface and installs to the same `/usr/share/omarchy` directory, it is intended for users who require early access to updates or wish to test the latest iterations of the `bin/omarchy` dispatcher.

## How to Install Omarchy from the AUR

Both packages are available in the AUR and can be installed using any AUR helper.

To install the stable release:

```bash
yay -S omarchy

```

To install the development release:

```bash
yay -S omarchy-dev

```

These commands download the respective `PKGBUILD`, compile the package from the `basecamp/omarchy` source, and install the runtime files system-wide.

## Verifying Your Installation

After installation, you can verify which package is active and check version reporting.

```bash

# Query installed Omarchy packages

pacman -Qs omarchy

# Check the version string

omarchy version

```

The `omarchy version` command invokes the logic defined in the core binaries, consistent across both packages as verified by [`test/shell.d/version-test.sh`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/test/shell.d/version-test.sh) in the source repository.

## Key Files Delivered by Both Packages

Regardless of which package you choose, the installation includes critical components from the `basecamp/omarchy` repository:

- **`bin/omarchy`** — The primary executable script that dispatches sub-commands.
- **`default/omarchy/omarchy-menu.jsonc`** — The default menu definition used by the environment.
- **[`test/shell.d/version-test.sh`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/test/shell.d/version-test.sh)** — Validation logic ensuring consistent version reporting between `omarchy` and `omarchy-dev`.

## Summary

- **Two main packages:** `omarchy` (stable) and `omarchy-dev` (development).
- **Source branches:** Stable tracks release tags; development tracks the “quattro” branch.
- **Installation path:** Both install core files to `/usr/share/omarchy`.
- **CLI:** Both provide the `omarchy` command and support `omarchy version` checks.
- **Installation:** Use `yay -S omarchy` or `yay -S omarchy-dev` for setup.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between `omarchy` and `omarchy-dev`?

The `omarchy` package builds from the latest stable tag for production use, while `omarchy-dev` builds from the active “quattro” development branch to provide immediate access to new features. Both install identical path structures under `/usr/share/omarchy` and use the same `bin/omarchy` entry point.

### Can I install both Omarchy packages at the same time?

No, the two packages conflict because they provide the same files, including the `/usr/share/omarchy` directory and the `omarchy` binary. You must uninstall one (`yay -R omarchy`) before installing the other.

### How do I verify which Omarchy package is installed?

Run `pacman -Qs omarchy` to see the package name and version in your local database. You can also run `omarchy version`, which executes the version-reporting logic tested in [`test/shell.d/version-test.sh`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/test/shell.d/version-test.sh), to confirm the build is functioning correctly.

### Where does the AUR package install Omarchy files?

Both the stable and development packages install the Omarchy runtime, including `bin/omarchy` and `default/omarchy/omarchy-menu.jsonc`, into `/usr/share/omarchy`. This standard location ensures that desktop session files and menu configurations are available system-wide according to the `basecamp/omarchy` source structure.