raud

An opinionated Arch Linux-based developer workstation.

raud is an experiment in building a reproducible Linux environment from a clean Arch Linux installation.

The long-term goal is to evolve raud into a small developer-focused Linux distribution with its own installation flow, configuration model, update mechanism, and eventually a bootable ISO.

v0.1

The goal of v0.1 is intentionally small:

Clean Arch Linux
      ↓
git clone raud
      ↓
./install.sh
      ↓
reboot
      ↓
ready developer workstation

Current stack

• Arch Linux
• Hyprland
• Waybar
• Ghostty
• Wofi
• Zsh as the interactive shell
• Bash for system scripts
• PipeWire
• NetworkManager
• Docker
• Java 21
• Kubernetes tooling
• Neovim

Project structure

raud/
├── README.md
├── install.sh
├── bin/
│   └── raud
├── patterns/
│   ├── base.txt
│   ├── desktop.txt
│   └── dev.txt
└── config/
    ├── ghostty/
    ├── hypr/
    └── waybar/

The structure will evolve as raud gains support for Forge configuration, Patterns, Rites, and updates.

Language

raud uses a small and consistent vocabulary inspired by forging, machinery, and industrial systems.

Concept	raud term
Distribution	raud
Build system	Forge
Machine configuration	Pattern
Package sets	Patterns
Migration	Rite
Health check	Doctor
Host / machine	Forge

The vocabulary is part of the project architecture rather than decoration. New concepts should reuse this language where it makes sense instead of introducing generic or inconsistent naming.

Examples:

raud doctor
raud forge

patterns/base.txt
patterns/desktop.txt
patterns/dev.txt

rites/001-initial-setup.sh

The aesthetic should remain subtle: industrial, mechanical, and forge-inspired.

raud should remain a standalone Linux project rather than directly borrowing names, terminology, or lore from existing fictional universes.

Installation

v0.1 expects an existing minimal Arch Linux installation with:

• internet access
• a non-root user
• sudo
• git

Clone the repository:

git clone <repository-url>
cd raud

Run the installer:

./install.sh

After installation, reboot and verify the environment:

raud doctor

Principles

• Keep the base system simple.
• Prefer official Arch packages.
• Avoid unnecessary dependencies.
• Installation should be repeatable and idempotent.
• User shell configuration must not affect system tooling.
• Automate decisions instead of documenting manual setup steps.
• Treat configuration as reproducible state.
• Prefer explicit conventions over hidden magic.
• Add complexity only when it solves a real problem.
• Keep raud terminology consistent across code, CLI, and documentation.

Roadmap

v0.1

Reproducible Arch-based developer workstation.

Clean Arch
    ↓
raud installer
    ↓
Patterns
    ↓
configured workstation
    ↓
raud doctor

v0.2

Introduce a stronger configuration model based on Patterns and improve developer tooling.

v0.3

Expand the raud CLI and introduce the Forge abstraction.

v0.4

Add Rites for migrations, updates, and rollback support.

v1.0

Bootable raud installation image.

Status

Early development. Expect things to break.