# Installation

### Download the ISO

#### Available Versions

* **Stab**~~**le release** – tested and recommended for most users.~~ (Coming soon)\
  ~~👉~~ [~~Download the stable version~~](https://monarchlinux.com)
* **Nightly (development) build** – includes the latest features but may be unstable.\
  👉 [Download the nightly build](https://github.com/monarch-os/)

Typical file names:

```
monarch-stable-x86_64.iso
monarch-nightly-x86_64.iso
```

### Create a bootable USB drive

#### On Linux

Insert your USB stick and identify its device name using:

```bash
lsblk
```

Then write the ISO image to the USB drive:

```bash
sudo dd if=monarch-stable-x86_64.iso of=/dev/<yourdisk> bs=1M status=progress
sync
```

> ⚠️ **Warning:** Replace `<yourdisk>` (for example, `sdb`) with the correct device name.\
> This command will **erase all data** on the USB drive.

#### On Windows

Use a tool such as:

* **Rufus** → <https://rufus.ie>
* **balenaEtcher** → <https://etcher.balena.io/>

Steps:

1. Select the Monarch ISO file.
2. Choose your USB drive.
3. Click **Start** to begin writing the image.

#### On macOS

You can either use `dd` from the Terminal (same command as Linux) or use **balenaEtcher** for a graphical interface.

### Boot from USB

1. Insert the USB stick into your computer.
2. Reboot and open the **boot menu** (usually by pressing `F12`, `Esc`, `F9`, or `Del` depending on your hardware).
3. Select the USB device that contains Monarch Linux.

> If your system fails to boot, check that the **UEFI/Legacy** mode matches the image type you downloaded.

### Install Monarch OS

1. **Select your language and keyboard layout**
2. **Define username and password**
3. **Configure your git informations**
   * Set your full name
   * Set your email
4. **Set your hostname**
5. **Select your timezone**
6. **Select where to install** (don't select your USB drive)

The process usually takes **5–10 minutes**, depending on your hardware.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.monarchlinux.com/getting-started/installation.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.