Aborav3
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Documentation

  • Screenshots
  • Introduction
  • Installation
  • Quick Start

Core Features

  • Desktop Environments
  • Installer
  • System Management

Tools & Commands

  • ANIX Profiles
  • TinyPM
  • Abora Commands

Configuration

  • System Config
  • Update Channels
  • Flatpak Setup

Advanced

  • Recovery & Rollback
  • Building from Source
  • Contributing

Installation Guide

Step-by-step instructions to install Abora OS v3.14 DENALI on your system.

System Requirements

  • Processor: Any modern x86_64 CPU
  • RAM: 2GB minimum, 4GB recommended
  • Disk Space: 20GB minimum for base install, more for additional software
  • UEFI or BIOS: Both supported
  • Installation Media: USB drive (8GB minimum recommended)

Step 1: Download Abora

Download the latest Abora OS v3.14 DENALI ISO from the GitHub releases page.

https://github.com/AnimatedGTVR/Abora-OS/releases

The ISO is approximately 2.4 GB. Verify the SHA256 checksum after download to ensure integrity.

Step 2: Create Bootable USB

Write the ISO to a USB drive. Choose the method for your operating system:

Linux/macOS

Use dd command:

sudo dd if=abora-3.14.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress

Replace `sdX` with your USB device (e.g., sda, sdb)

Windows

Use Balena Etcher, Rufus, or dd for Windows:

  1. Download and install Balena Etcher
  2. Select the Abora ISO file
  3. Select your USB drive
  4. Click "Flash" and wait for completion

Step 3: Boot from USB

  1. Insert the USB drive into your computer
  2. Reboot your computer
  3. Enter BIOS/UEFI boot menu (usually F12, F2, or DEL during startup)
  4. Select your USB drive from the boot menu
  5. Wait for the Abora boot splash screen

Step 4: Run the Installer

The Denali installer presents a keyboard-driven menu. Use arrow keys to navigate and Enter to confirm.

Installer Steps

  1. Welcome Screen — Read the introduction and press Enter
  2. Locale Selection — Choose your language, region, and timezone
  3. Keyboard Layout — Select your keyboard type
  4. Disk Selection — Choose the target disk for installation
  5. User Setup — Create your username, set password
  6. Desktop Selection — Choose from 22 desktop environments
  7. App Bundles — Select preinstalled apps (optional)
  8. GitHub CLI — Optional GitHub account setup
  9. Review — Confirm all settings before installation
  10. Installation — System installs (5-15 minutes depending on hardware)
The installer will warn you before making any disk changes. Make sure you've selected the correct disk!

Step 5: First Boot

After installation completes, remove the USB drive and let your system boot.

  1. System initializes (this takes a few minutes)
  2. You see the login screen for your chosen desktop
  3. Login with the credentials you created during installation
  4. Your desktop environment starts with Abora branding and default wallpaper
Abora OS v3.14 DENALI first TTY boot with auto-login and fastfetch output

Abora OS v3.14 DENALI booting to TTY with automatic login enabled — fastfetch shows system info

Installer Walkthrough

Here's what you'll see during the Denali installer process:

1. Welcome Screen

The installer greets you with "Let's set up your Abora Denali install!"

Denali installer welcome screen

2. Choose Your Desktop Environment

Select from 22 desktop environments and window managers. Each has a brief description.

Denali installer showing all 22 available desktop environments

3. Select Starter App Bundle

Choose pre-configured app bundles or start minimal with "None". Options include Essentials, Social, Development, Gaming, and more.

App bundle selection showing 8 starter options

4. Select Update Channel

Choose between stable releases (recommended) or unstable for latest packages.

Update channel selection showing stable and unstable options

5. Select Installation Disk

Choose which disk to install on. You'll confirm that all data will be erased.

Disk selection showing /dev/vda with size and warning

6. ANIX Helper Layer

Enable ANIX for friendly NixOS commands or use bare NixOS commands.

ANIX helper layer option selection

7. Preflight Checks

The installer validates all settings, tools, and system readiness before proceeding.

Preflight checks showing validation of Nixpkgs, tools, and locale

8. Installation Summary

Review your configuration before the installer begins writing to disk.

Installation summary showing all configuration choices

9. Installation Progress

The system begins installing. This typically takes 5-15 minutes depending on disk speed and selected packages.

Installation in progress showing 70% completion

Step 6: Post-Install Setup

After first login, you may want to:

  • Check system status:
    anix status
  • Update system:
    sudo nixos-rebuild switch --upgrade
  • Run system doctor:
    abora doctor
  • Install additional packages:
    grab firefox

Disk Layout

Abora creates the following GPT partition layout:

PartitionSizePurpose
BIOS boot1 MiBLegacy boot support
EFI system512 MiBUEFI boot
RootRemainingext4 system root

Troubleshooting

Installer won't start

Make sure you booted from the USB in UEFI or BIOS mode (depending on your system). Try creating the bootable USB again.

Installation fails partway through

Check your internet connection. The installer needs to download packages from Nixpkgs. Try again or check the GitHub issues page.

System won't boot after installation

Boot from the Abora USB again and check the installation logs or try rolling back to a previous generation if one exists.

Installation complete! Next, check out the Desktop Environments guide or jump into ANIX commands.