How to Install ClearFlask on Arch Linux

ClearFlask is a Python-based web application that helps create, manage, and maintain feature request portals. This tutorial is a step-by-step guide on how to install ClearFlask on Arch Linux.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation, you need to have the following:

• A non-root user with sudo privileges
• Python 3.x
• pip

Step 1: Update the System

First, you need to update your Arch Linux system by running the following command as sudo:

$ sudo pacman -Syu

This command will update the system packages.

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Next, install the dependencies required to build ClearFlask by running the following command:

$ sudo pacman -S git gcc libffi libxslt postgresql virtualenvwrapper

Step 3: Create a Python Virtual Environment

Now create a Python virtual environment to avoid any conflict with the system-wide Python installation.

$ mkvirtualenv clearflask

This command will create a virtual environment named 'clearflask'. You can replace 'clearflask' with any other name you prefer.

To activate the virtual environment, use the following command:

$ workon clearflask

Step 4: Install ClearFlask

Next, clone the ClearFlask repository and enter into its directory by running the following commands:

$ git clone https://github.com/clearflask/clearflask.git
$ cd clearflask

To install ClearFlask, run the following commands:

$ pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
$ pip install -r requirements.txt
$ python setup.py develop

These commands will install the required Python packages and setup ClearFlask.

Step 5: Database Setup

ClearFlask uses PostgreSQL as its database. To install the PostgreSQL server, run the following command:

$ sudo pacman -S postgresql

Next, create a new user for PostgreSQL by running the following command:

$ sudo -iu postgres createuser --interactive

Follow the prompts to create a new user. You can also use an existing user for this.

Next, create a new database for ClearFlask:

$ sudo -iu postgres createdb clearflask_db

You can replace 'clearflask_db' with any other name you prefer.

Step 6: Configure ClearFlask

Next, configure ClearFlask by creating a new configuration file named 'settings_local.py':

$ cp settings_local.py-sample settings_local.py

Edit 'settings_local.py' file and add the following lines:

DATABASES = {
    "default": {
        "ENGINE": "django.db.backends.postgresql_psycopg2",
        "NAME": "clearflask_db",
        "USER": "postgres",
        "PASSWORD": "",
        "HOST": "127.0.0.1",
        "PORT": "",
    },
}

Replace the database name, username, and password with the ones you created earlier. Save the file and exit.

Step 7: Run ClearFlask

Now you can run ClearFlask by running the following command:

$ python manage.py runserver

This command will start the ClearFlask server at http://localhost:8000/.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed ClearFlask on Arch Linux. You can now access the ClearFlask web portal at http://localhost:8000/.

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