Install Arch Linux with the i3 window manager on a Pinebook Pro
Introduction
How do I install Arch Linux?
How do you install the i3 Windows Manager?
How do I install and configure Neovim?
Next Steps

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About this Learning Path

Skill level:  Advanced
Reading time:  2 hrs
Last updated:  04 Aug 2026
Skill level:
  Advanced
Reading time:
  2 hrs
Last updated:
  04 Aug 2026
Author:Gabriel Peterson, Arm
Arm IP:Cortex-A
Tags: Migration to Arm Linux i3 Alacritty Neovim
Author:
  • Gabriel Peterson, Arm
Arm IP:
Cortex-A
Tags:
Migration to Arm Linux i3 Alacritty Neovim

Who is this for?

This is an advanced topic for developers who want to use the Pinebook Pro as an Arm Linux development machine.

What will you learn?

After completing this Learning Path, you'll be able to perform the following tasks:

  • Install and configure Arch Linux for Arm
  • Install and configure the i3 window manager
  • Install and configure the Neovim editor

Prerequisites

Before starting, you'll need the following prerequisites:

  • A Pinebook Pro laptop
  • A microSD card (8GB or greater; class 10 or faster)

Summary

AI-assisted

This summary was drafted with an approved AI-assisted workflow and reviewed by Arm contributors before publication. Human technical review remains part of the process so the final page reflects engineering rigor, accuracy, and Arm editorial standards.

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You’ll create an Arch Linux bootable microSD on Linux, install Arch Linux on a Pinebook Pro, and configure i3 for Arm development. You’ll use a regular account with sudo, set display brightness through sysfs, and optionally configure Neovim. By the end, you’ll have an Arch Linux Pinebook Pro with i3 and a lightweight development workflow.

Frequently asked questions

AI-assisted

These FAQs were drafted with an approved AI-assisted workflow and reviewed by Arm contributors before publication. Human technical review remains part of the process so the final page reflects engineering rigor, accuracy, and Arm editorial standards.

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Do I need a second computer to create the Arch Linux microSD, and which OS do the steps use?
Yes. The instructions use a Linux computer to write and partition the microSD card. You can use macOS, but the required partitioning steps differ and aren’t covered here.
How do I know the install media worked after booting the Pinebook Pro?
The laptop should boot Arch Linux from the microSD card. If it doesn’t, recheck how the you wrote the image and partitioned the card on the second computer.
Should I run the i3 installation commands as root or as my user?
Use your created user account and run commands with sudo. You also run the i3 window manager from your user account.
The display is too dim in i3. How can I set maximum brightness?
Use echo 4095 > /sys/class/backlight/edp-backlight/brightness. Run it with appropriate permissions if required by your system.
Is configuring Neovim required, and what should I expect the first time it opens?
The Neovim section is optional. On first launch, Neovim looks almost exactly like Vim and adds Lua extensibility. Most Vim plugins work as expected.
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