How to install Packer on Arch Linux

Packer is a tool for creating machine images for multiple platforms. In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Packer on Arch Linux.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure that you have the following:

Step 1: Install Dependencies

The first step is to ensure that your system is updated and has all necessary dependencies installed.

To update your system, run

sudo pacman -Syu

Next, install the pacman-contrib package using the following command:

sudo pacman -S pacman-contrib

This package provides the pacman utility, which allows you to install and manage packages on Arch Linux.

Step 2: Download Packer

To download Packer, go to the official website at https://www.packer.io/downloads.html and download the binary file for your operating system.

Once you've downloaded the file, extract it to a desired location.

Step 3: Add Packer to your PATH

After downloading Packer, you need to add it to your system's PATH so that you can run it from anywhere in the terminal.

To do this, open the /etc/environment file using the following command:

sudo nano /etc/environment

At the end of the file, add the following line:

PATH="$PATH:/path/to/packer"

Make sure to replace /path/to/packer with the actual path to your Packer binary.

Save and exit the file, then run the following command to reload the environment variables:

source /etc/environment

Step 4: Verify Installation

To verify that Packer is installed correctly, run the following command:

packer version

You should see the version number of your Packer installation printed on the screen.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Packer on Arch Linux. Now you can start using Packer to create machine images for your projects.

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!