# What Is the Base of Omarchy Linux? Arch Foundation Explained

> Discover Omarchy Linux's foundation: built on Arch Linux. Explore its rolling release, pacman package manager, and curated Hyprland desktop.

- Repository: [37signals/omarchy](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy)
- Tags: deep-dive
- Published: 2026-08-21

---

**Omarchy Linux is built directly on top of Arch Linux**, inheriting its rolling-release model and pacman package management while adding a curated desktop stack featuring Hyprland and Quickshell.

Omarchy Linux is not an independent distribution but a specialized layer constructed upon Arch Linux. According to the basecamp/omarchy repository, it leverages Arch’s core libraries and package management while providing a pre-configured, highly-themed desktop environment. Understanding the base of Omarchy Linux reveals how it maintains Arch’s flexibility while delivering an opinionated, ready-to-use experience.

## Arch Linux as the Core Foundation

Omarchy inherits its fundamental architecture from **Arch Linux**. The distribution uses Arch's rolling-release model, core system libraries, and the pacman package manager as its backbone.

As documented in [`manual/01-welcome-to-omarchy.md`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/manual/01-welcome-to-omarchy.md), Omarchy explicitly identifies Arch as its parent distribution. Users can verify this foundation by checking the underlying OS identification:

```bash
cat /etc/os-release

```

This command returns `ID=arch` and `NAME="Arch Linux"`, confirming the base system remains pure Arch beneath Omarchy's configuration layer.

### The Base Package Manifest

The exact composition of Omarchy's Arch foundation is defined in `install/omarchy-base.packages`. This file lists every Arch package that constitutes the minimal Omarchy base image before desktop components are added.

To inspect the current base package list:

```bash
cat "$(omarchy env OMARCHY_PATH)/install/omarchy-base.packages"

```

The `omarchy env OMARCHY_PATH` command resolves to the installed Omarchy tree, allowing direct access to repository files like the base package manifest documented in [`docs/file-layout.md`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/docs/file-layout.md).

## Omarchy’s Desktop Stack

While Arch provides the base, Omarchy distinguishes itself through its desktop layer. The distribution installs **Hyprland** as its tiling window manager and **Quickshell** as the shell and notification framework.

These components are installed as part of the base configuration and integrate tightly with Omarchy’s custom configuration system. They sit atop the Arch foundation but are managed through Omarchy's private package repository and mirror.

## Verifying the Base System

You can confirm the Omarchy version and its underlying Arch base using the command-line helpers defined in [`default/agents/skills/omarchy/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/default/agents/skills/omarchy/SKILL.md):

```bash

# Display Omarchy version and underlying Arch version

omarchy version

# Verify a core package comes from Arch repositories

pacman -Qi bat | grep "Repository"

```

The `omarchy version` command outputs the current Omarchy release (e.g., "Omarchy 4.x") alongside the underlying Arch version (e.g., "based on Arch 2024.09"). The `pacman -Qi` command confirms that core utilities originate from standard Arch repositories.

## Key Configuration Files

Several files in the repository explicitly define how Omarchy builds upon and extends Arch:

- **[`manual/01-welcome-to-omarchy.md`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/manual/01-welcome-to-omarchy.md)** – States the Arch foundation in the introductory documentation
- **`install/omarchy-base.packages`** – Contains the exact list of Arch packages forming the base image
- **[`docs/file-layout.md`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/docs/file-layout.md)** – Explains the repository structure, including where base package lists reside
- **[`default/agents/skills/omarchy/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/default/agents/skills/omarchy/SKILL.md)** – Documents CLI helpers like `omarchy version` that interact with the base system

## Summary

- Omarchy Linux uses **Arch Linux** as its complete base distribution
- The file `install/omarchy-base.packages` explicitly defines which Arch packages form the Omarchy foundation
- Omarchy inherits Arch's **rolling-release model**, **pacman** package management, and core system libraries
- The distribution adds **Hyprland** and **Quickshell** as its desktop layer atop the Arch base
- Users can verify the Arch foundation by checking `/etc/os-release` or using the `omarchy version` command

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is Omarchy Linux based on Arch?

Yes. Omarchy Linux is explicitly built on top of Arch Linux according to the welcome manual in [`manual/01-welcome-to-omarchy.md`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/manual/01-welcome-to-omarchy.md). It inherits Arch's rolling-release model, package management system, and core libraries while adding a curated desktop environment with custom theming.

### What packages make up the Omarchy base?

The Omarchy base consists of the Arch packages listed in `install/omarchy-base.packages`. This manifest defines the exact minimal set of Arch packages installed before Omarchy-specific components like Hyprland and Quickshell are added to the system.

### How does Omarchy differ from vanilla Arch?

While vanilla Arch provides a minimal, do-it-yourself foundation, Omarchy layers a pre-configured desktop stack using Hyprland and Quickshell, along with a private package repository. It maintains Arch's core system but delivers a ready-to-use, highly-themed experience out of the box.

### Can I use pacman to manage packages on Omarchy?

Yes. Because Omarchy uses Arch as its base, you can use standard pacman commands to install, update, and remove packages. Omarchy supplements this with its own CLI tools documented in [`default/agents/skills/omarchy/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/main/default/agents/skills/omarchy/SKILL.md), but the underlying package management remains standard Arch pacman.