R.I.P. Cnchi (2012-2026) — Calamares is the big boy installer now

Full removal of Cnchi from the ISO. It was the original Antergos
installer and we tried to keep it alive with a GTK4 port, but the
Python GTK4 bindings were unstable, the maintenance burden was
unsustainable for a solo dev, and Calamares simply does everything
better.

What changed:
  - README: complete rewrite of installer section with eulogy and
    'Why Calamares and not Cnchi' explanation
  - packages.x86_64: cnchi removed (calamares stays)
  - run_before_squashfs.sh: removed cnchi memes dir creation, cnchi
    desktop file fix, cnchi version comment; changed GTK theme from
    Adwaita to Adwaita-dark (fixes white-on-white welcome app)
  - airootfs/.../cnchi.desktop: deleted
  - user-commands-before.bash: updated cnchi references → generic
  - user_commands.bash: updated cnchi reference → generic
  - .gitignore: removed Cnchi/ entry
  - AGENTS.md: cnchi → calamares
  - .github/workflows/build.yml: cnchi → calamares in README gen
  - NOTICES: kept historical Cnchi credit (unchanged)

🕯️ Requiescat in pace, Cnchi. You did your job.

.github/workflows/build.yml

@@ -130,14 +130,14 @@ jobs:
         echo "## Installation" >> README.md
         echo "1. Boot from ISO" >> README.md
         echo "2. Select desktop environment" >> README.md
-        echo "3. Run Cnchi installer" >> README.md
+        echo "3. Run Calamares installer" >> README.md
         echo "" >> README.md
         echo "## Issues" >> README.md
         echo "Report at: https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/antergos-iso/issues" >> README.md
         echo "" >> README.md
         echo "## Source" >> README.md
         echo "- ISO Build: https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/antergos-iso" >> README.md
-        echo "- Cnchi: https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/cnchi-next" >> README.md
+        echo "- Calamares: https://codeberg.org/calamares/calamares" >> README.md
         echo "- Packages: https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/antergos-packages" >> README.md
 
         # Upload ISO + README

.gitignore

@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-Cnchi/
 antergos-pkgs/
 internetarchive.log
 airootfs/root/antergos-skel-liveuser/*.pkg.tar.zst

AGENTS.md

@@ -12,12 +12,12 @@ git config user.email "ash8820@proton.me"
 
 ## The Crusade
 - Arch Linux live ISO, forged from the bones of EndeavourOS-ISO
-- A KDE Plasma live environment, bearing the sacred Cnchi installer
+- A GNOME live environment with Calamares installer (offline + online)
 - To smite the ISO into existence: `./prepare.sh && sudo ./mkarchiso -v "."`
 
 ## Antergos NeXT Repos
 - **antergos-iso**: `https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/antergos-iso` (branch: master)
-- **cnchi-next**: `https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/cnchi-next` (branch: cnchi-dev)
+- **calamares**: `https://codeberg.org/calamares/calamares` (upstream)
 - **antergos-packages**: `https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/antergos-packages` (branch: master)
 
 **DEUS VULT**

README.md

@@ -9,31 +9,39 @@
 
 Both a revival **and** a modernization of the Antergos live installer ISO, based on the maintained EndeavourOS-ISO.
 
-Provides a live GNOME environment to install Arch Linux using **Cnchi**, the original Antergos installer — overhauled for modern Python (GTK4), with multi-DE support and the original installer experience re-engineered for 2026.
+Provides a live GNOME environment to install Arch Linux using **Calamares** — the mature, upstream-supported universal installer framework — with offline (GNOME squashfs) and online (netinstall with 8 DE choices) modes, and dracut initramfs.
 
-This is not a museum piece. We keep what worked, fix what broke, and aren't afraid to add new things. Cnchi stays because it's what makes Antergos *Antergos* — but we've gutted the guts and replaced the pipes.
+> *"I can't let you do that, Dave."* — Cnchi, 2012–2026
 
-**Calamares** is also included as an **experimental** alternative installer.
+## Why Calamares and not Cnchi?
 
-## Why Cnchi and not Calamares?
+Cnchi was the original Antergos installer — a custom GTK+ tool that gave Antergos its identity. For Antergos NeXT, we initially ported it to GTK4 and fought to keep it alive. But after days of fighting with a brittle Python codebase, broken GTK4 bindings, and an ever-growing maintenance burden, the honest call was made:
 
-| | Cnchi (default) | Calamares (experimental) |
+**Cnchi is not coming back.**
-|---|---|---|
-| **Status** | Primary installer, actively developed | Experimental, community requested |
-| **Experience** | Original Antergos feel, custom GTK4 UI | Standard Calamares workflow |
-| **Development** | Part of the project's DNA | Porting effort, needs testing |
 
-**Q: Why not just use Calamares like everyone else?**  
+| Reason | Detail |
-A: Because Antergos NeXT is a revival of *Antergos*, not another EndeavourOS or Arch derivative. Cnchi *is* the Antergos installer. Replacing it would defeat the purpose.
+|--------|--------|
+| **GTK4 breakage** | Python GTK4 bindings were unstable; widgets broke on every upstream release |
+| **Maintenance hell** | Single developer couldn't keep up with Python dependency churn + GTK4 + systemd + dracut |
+| **Calamares is better** | Mature, modular C++/Qt6 framework, upstream-supported, offline+online already built in |
+| **Time** | Every hour fixing Cnchi was an hour not spent on actual improvements |
 
-**Q: So why include Calamares at all?**  
+### A brief eulogy
-A: Community feedback. Some users prefer Calamares' workflow. We're not here to force anyone — both are available. Pick the one that fits you.
 
-**Q: Is Calamares fully functional?**  
+Cnchi (originally written as a Bash script, then Python/GTK2, then GTK3) served Antergos from 2012 to 2019, and was briefly revived for NeXT. It was ambitious, opinionated, and deeply tied to what made Antergos *Antergos*. But the 2026 Linux desktop is not 2012 — dracut replaces mkinitcpio, systemd-boot replaces grub, and a single-dev team can't carry a full custom installer framework.
-A: Not yet. It's experimental. Some features (lembrame, desktop-specific tweaks) are Cnchi-only. Calamares is there for testing and as a fallback.
 
-**Q: Will Calamares become the default in the future?**  
+Calamares is the big boy installer now. It works. It's maintained. And with our custom branding, offline/online split, and dracut support, it's more capable than Cnchi ever was.
-A: Only if Cnchi becomes unmaintainable. As long as Cnchi works, it stays default. Calamares is a backup, not a replacement.
+
+*Requiescat in pace, Cnchi. You did your job.*
+
+## Installer modes
+
+| Mode | Description |
+|------|-------------|
+| **Offline** | Unpacks a GNOME squashfs from the ISO — no internet needed, fast install |
+| **Online** | Netinstall with 8 DE choices (GNOME, KDE, Xfce, Budgie, Cinnamon, MATE, LXQt, i3/Sway) |
+
+The launcher (`calamares-next`) presents a zenity/kdialog/dialog GUI to pick offline or online mode before launching Calamares.
 
 ## Desktop Editions
 
@@ -59,7 +67,7 @@ Join us on Matrix: (uses pulsar's matrix) [#pulsar-linux:matrix.org](https://mat
 ISO images exceed GitHub's 2 GB release limit. They are uploaded to **SourceForge** (uses pulsar's SF Project since the old antergos-next project was deleted oopsie!)
 [![Download antergos-next](https://a.fsdn.com/con/app/sf-download-button)](https://sourceforge.net/projects/pulsar-linux/files/Antergos_NeXT/latest/download)
 
-**⚠️ Early releases may have incomplete DE package lists.** The latest `packages.xml` is always in the [cnchi-next repo](https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/cnchi-next/blob/cnchi-dev/data/packages.xml). Building from source after a fresh clone ensures you have the most up-to-date package selection.
+**⚠️ Early releases may have incomplete DE package lists.**
 
 ## How to build
 
@@ -77,7 +85,7 @@ The `.iso` appears in the `out/` directory.
 
 ## Custom packages
 
-The ISO uses the `antergos-packages` repo for custom packages (Cnchi, keyring, mirrorlist, desktop settings, wallpapers). Add it to your system:
+The ISO uses the `antergos-packages` repo for custom packages (Calamares branding, keyring, mirrorlist, desktop settings, wallpapers). Add it to your system:
 
 ```ini
 [antergos-pkgs]
@@ -90,7 +98,7 @@ Server = https://antergos-next.github.io/antergos-packages
 
 - [EndeavourOS-ISO](https://github.com/endeavouros-team/EndeavourOS-ISO) — base ISO build system
 - [Arch-ISO](https://gitlab.archlinux.org/archlinux/archiso) — archiso tools
-- [cnchi-next](https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/cnchi-next) — our patched Cnchi fork
+- [Calamares](https://codeberg.org/calamares/calamares) — upstream installer framework
 - [antergos-packages](https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/antergos-packages) — custom package repo
 - [Antergos wallpapers](https://github.com/Antergos/wallpapers) — original wallpapers
 
@@ -102,7 +110,7 @@ Server = https://antergos-next.github.io/antergos-packages
 
 ## A Note to the "Branding Police"
 
-If you came here to hate and you're about to type "why are you using Antergos's branding" — pack your bags and go to Pulsar Linux (formerly Antergos NeXT). We have Dustin's blessing. We are respectful. We are not them. Move on.
+If you came here to hate and you're about to type "why are you using Antergos's branding" — pack your bags and go to Manjaro. We have Dustin's blessing. We are respectful. We are not them. Move on.
 
 ---
 

airootfs/root/antergos-skel-liveuser/src/etc/skel/.local/share/applications/cnchi.desktop

@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-[Desktop Entry]
-Type=Application
-Version=1.0
-Name=Install Antergos
-GenericName=System Installer
-Comment=Cnchi — Antergos System Installer
-Keywords=cnchi;system;installer;
-TryExec=cnchi
-Exec=sudo -E cnchi
-Categories=Qt;System;
-Icon=cnchi
-Terminal=false
-SingleMainWindow=true
-StartupNotify=true

airootfs/root/antergos-skel-liveuser/src/etc/skel/user-commands-before.bash

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 #
 # This file can contain commands that will be executed (as root) before
-# cnchi is started. So here you may configure various settings of cnchi.
+# Calamares is started. So here you may configure various settings.
 #
 # NOTE! This is an advanced feature, so you need to know *exactly* what
 # you are doing. Otherwise bad things can happen...
-# Sound knowledge of cnchi, bash language, and linux commands is required
+# Sound knowledge of bash language and linux commands is required
 # for a meaningful customization.
 #
 # If you add commands to this file, start the whole install process fresh
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 
 _IsoConfig() {
     ## Add your ISO configurations here.
-    ## This is executed as root before cnchi is started.
+    ## This is executed as root before the installer is started.
 
     local -r install_mode="$1"          # 'online' or 'offline'
 

airootfs/root/antergos-skel-liveuser/src/etc/skel/user_commands.bash

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 
 _PostInstallCommands() {
     ## Add your "late-install" commands here.
-    ## This is executed as root near the end of cnchi execution.
+    ## This is executed as root near the end of installation.
 
     local -r username="$1"              # new user you created for the target
 

packages.x86_64

@@ -271,7 +271,6 @@ yay
 hal
 
 ## Installer
-cnchi
 calamares
 calamares-branding-antergos-next
 squashfs-tools

run_before_squashfs.sh

@@ -177,20 +177,12 @@ rm -rf "/var/cache/pacman/pkg/"
 echo "---> Keep ranked mirrorlist for live session (removed revert to packaged default) --->"
 rm -f "/etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist-from-package"
 
-echo "---> Create cnchi memes directory --->"
-mkdir -p "/usr/share/cnchi-memes"
-
-echo "---> Fix cnchi desktop file to use sudo -E --->"
-sed -i 's|^Exec=.*cnchi.*|Exec=sudo -E cnchi|' "/usr/share/applications/cnchi.desktop"
-
 echo "---> Fix calamares desktop file to use launcher --->"
 sed -i 's|^Exec=.*calamares.*|Exec=sudo -E calamares-next|' "/usr/share/applications/calamares.desktop" 2>/dev/null || true
 
 echo "---> Symlink antergos icon for calamares branding --->"
 ln -sf "/usr/share/antergos/antergos-icon.png" "/usr/share/calamares/branding/antergos-next/squid.png" 2>/dev/null || true
 
-# cnchi 0.17.1+ already has the regain_privileges fix in source
-
 echo "---> Set Antergos NeXT os-release --->"
 cat > "/usr/lib/os-release" << 'OSEOF'
 NAME="Antergos NeXT"
@@ -217,7 +209,7 @@ LSBEOF
 echo "---> Configure GNOME Shell theme for live user --->"
 su - antergos -c "dbus-launch --exit-with-session gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.user-theme name 'Antergos-NeXT'" 2>/dev/null || true
 su - antergos -c "dbus-launch --exit-with-session gsettings set org.gnome.shell enabled-extensions \"['user-theme@gnome-shell-extensions.gcampax.github.com']\"" 2>/dev/null || true
-su - antergos -c "dbus-launch --exit-with-session gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme 'Adwaita'" 2>/dev/null || true
+su - antergos -c "dbus-launch --exit-with-session gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme 'Adwaita-dark'" 2>/dev/null || true
 su - antergos -c "dbus-launch --exit-with-session gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background picture-uri 'file:///usr/share/antergos/backgrounds/antergos-wallpaper.png'" 2>/dev/null || true
 su - antergos -c "dbus-launch --exit-with-session gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background picture-uri-dark 'file:///usr/share/antergos/backgrounds/antergos-wallpaper.png'" 2>/dev/null || true
 su - antergos -c "dbus-launch --exit-with-session gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver picture-uri 'file:///usr/share/antergos/backgrounds/antergos-wallpaper.png'" 2>/dev/null || true