5.3 KiB
Antergos NeXT ISO
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.
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.
Calamares is also included as an experimental alternative installer.
Why Cnchi and not Calamares?
| Cnchi (default) | Calamares (experimental) | |
|---|---|---|
| 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?
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.
Q: So why include Calamares at all?
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?
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?
A: Only if Cnchi becomes unmaintainable. As long as Cnchi works, it stays default. Calamares is a backup, not a replacement.
Desktop Editions
| Desktop | Edition | Status |
|---|---|---|
| GNOME | antergos-gnome | default |
| KDE Plasma | antergos-kde | available |
| XFCE | antergos-xfce | available |
| Cinnamon | antergos-cinnamon | available |
| Budgie | antergos-budgie | available |
| Deepin | antergos-deepin | available |
| LXQt | antergos-lxqt | available |
| Openbox | antergos-openbox | available |
| i3 | antergos-i3 | available |
| MATE | antergos-mate | available |
Community
Join us on Matrix: #antergos-next:matrix.org
Download
ISO images exceed GitHub's 2 GB release limit. They are uploaded to SourceForge
⚠️ Early releases may have incomplete DE package lists. The latest packages.xml is always in the cnchi-next repo. Building from source after a fresh clone ensures you have the most up-to-date package selection.
How to build
You need an Arch-based system with archiso available.
sudo pacman -S archiso git squashfs-tools --needed
git clone https://github.com/Antergos-NeXT/antergos-iso.git
cd Antergos-NeXT-ISO
./prepare.sh
sudo ./mkarchiso -v "."
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:
[antergos-pkgs]
SigLevel = Optional TrustAll
Server = https://Antergos-NeXT.github.io/antergos-packages/$repo/os/$arch
Server = https://Antergos-NeXT.github.io/antergos-packages
Sources
- EndeavourOS-ISO — base ISO build system
- Arch-ISO — archiso tools
- cnchi-next — our patched Cnchi fork
- antergos-packages — custom package repo
- Antergos wallpapers — original wallpapers
License
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.
Antergos launched in 2012 as Cinnarch (Cinnamon + Arch), renamed in 2013, and ran until 2019. NeXT revives it GNOME first, with the original installer experience and all the desktop choices you remember.
Dustin Falgout, one of the original Antergos developers, has given his blessing for this community revival (see NOTICES). Antergos NeXT is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the original Antergos project.