Archinstall - Save configuration - Save all - where are the files?

ArchMark · 2023-04-03 01:18:18

Each time I installed Arch Linux using archinstall with the following settings:

ArchInstall (2.5.3 to 2.5.5):

Set/Modify the below options

ArchInstall Language:       set: English (100%)
Keyboard layout             set: us
Mirror region               set: ['United States']
Locale language             set: en_US
Locale encoding             set: utf-8
Drive(s)                    set: 1 Drive(s)
Disk Layout                 set: 2 Partitions
Disk encryption
Bootloader                  set: systemd-bootctl
Swap                        set: True
Hostname:                   set: arch1
Root password               set: ******
User account                set: 1 User(s)
Profile                     set: Profile(desktop)
Audio                       set: pipewire
Kernels                     set: ['linux']
Additional packages         set: ['firefox','vim','ntfs-3g','os-prober']
Network configuration       set: Use NetworkManager
Timezone                    set: US/Eastern
Automatic time sync (NTP)   set: True
Optional repositories       set: ['multilib']

Save configuration
Install
Abort
(Press "/" to search)

I select Save configuration. Then I select "Save all" where it is showing the following files:

user_configuration.json
user_credentials.json
user_disk_layout.json

When it asks where to save them:

Enter a directory for the configuration(s) to be saved: /root

I can never find them. I have searched for these .json files on the USB flash drive and in the installed Arch Linux system. I cannot find them.

The Archinstall Wiki does not have much detail.

Where exactly can I find these config files?

Thank you.

Last edited by ArchMark (2023-04-03 01:21:57)

Trilby · 2023-04-03 01:50:03

If you save them to a iso/tmpfs filesystem, of course they will not be there after a reboot.

If you want this saved on the installed system, you'd need to select a location like /mnt/root (assuming the new system is mounted on /mnt).

ArchMark · 2023-04-03 15:01:00

Trilby wrote:

If you save them to a iso/tmpfs filesystem, of course they will not be there after a reboot.
If you want this saved on the installed system, you'd need to select a location like /mnt/root (assuming the new system is mounted on /mnt).

I find this part of archinstall confusing. I cannot find when archinstall saves the config files, whether on the USB flash drive before or after install, how examples of paths to use to make sure the config files save. I have been using / or /root, neither has worked for me. I may try /mnt/root next time. Better yet look at the mount volumes to determine where I may be able to save the config files.

I did read I believe in the ArchWiki that you can re-use these config files in archinstall for another system or your current system to re-install if needed.

Pyntux · 2023-04-03 15:19:47

/ is your file system on live image, so when you restart (after installing OS) there is no live image system. You drives are mounted on /mnt when you are using archinstall to instal OS, so you must save files to /mnt/XXXX which will exist after reboot on your /XXXX...

ArchMark · 2023-04-03 23:02:47

Pyntux wrote:

/ is your file system on live image, so when you restart (after installing OS) there is no live image system. You drives are mounted on /mnt when you are using archinstall to instal OS, so you must save files to /mnt/XXXX which will exist after reboot on your /XXXX...

After thinking about, I did something that I should have known to do.

Thank you.

WorMzy · 2023-04-03 23:25:27

Mod note: moving to archinstall subforum.

ArchMark · 2023-04-09 22:03:06

ArchMark wrote:

Pyntux wrote:
/ is your file system on live image, so when you restart (after installing OS) there is no live image system. You drives are mounted on /mnt when you are using archinstall to instal OS, so you must save files to /mnt/XXXX which will exist after reboot on your /XXXX...
After thinking about, I did something that I should have known to do.
Thank you.

Update on this file save...

There is no mount drives/volumes to the hard drive as the partitions, file systems, etc. has not been created yet.

During my many re-install Arch Linux attempts today using archinstall, I have yet to successfully save these configuration files. I do not see a mount path to the USB flash drive or anywhere else. I am not sure when archinstall writes/saves the config files (*.json).

aquinas · 2023-12-28 19:57:48

After installing Arch a few times, I have made a habit of mounting a separate drive containing my custom scripts before each installation.

In order to list drives (block devices) use:

 lsblk

after identifying the device you want to use, mount it:

 mount --mkdir /dev/"yourdevice" /mnt/path/to/configs

replace "yourdevice" with the device listed .e.g. sdb1 or such. Make sure to choose the correct device!

This enables you to save archinstall configs to /mnt/path/to/configs

The next time you use archinstall, mount the same drive to /mnt/path/to/configs (before invoking archinstall) and use

 archinstall --config /path/to/configs/user_configuration.json --creds /path/to/configs/user_credentials.json

Works like a charm for me.

Edit: To summarize, I use a separate usb (or sd card) to store configs (and access my own scripts). I mount this drive first at each install - before invoking archinstall. ALSO I created a short script on this mounted device to invoke archinstall with the config path as described above to minimize typing.

Note: This is a hobby. I install arch every month. For fun, btw.

Last edited by aquinas (2023-12-29 01:24:40)

Arch Linux

#1 2023-04-03 01:18:18

Archinstall - Save configuration - Save all - where are the files?

#2 2023-04-03 01:50:03

Re: Archinstall - Save configuration - Save all - where are the files?

#3 2023-04-03 15:01:00

Re: Archinstall - Save configuration - Save all - where are the files?

#4 2023-04-03 15:19:47

Re: Archinstall - Save configuration - Save all - where are the files?

#5 2023-04-03 23:02:47

Re: Archinstall - Save configuration - Save all - where are the files?

#6 2023-04-03 23:25:27

Re: Archinstall - Save configuration - Save all - where are the files?

#7 2023-04-09 22:03:06

Re: Archinstall - Save configuration - Save all - where are the files?

#8 2023-12-28 19:57:48

Re: Archinstall - Save configuration - Save all - where are the files?

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