Guide · Agent skill
How to use the Arch Linux Triage agent skill
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
The Arch Linux Triage skill is a set of instructions that tells an AI agent to handle Arch Linux problems the way an Arch specialist would. It covers boot, service and package issues, and it is aimed at Arch users, sysadmins and learners who want a consistent, step-by-step approach. After reading this guide you will know what the skill does, how to install it, how to ask for it with natural requests, and what to check before running any command it suggests.
Arch Linux Triagegithub/awesome-copilot · MIT Download the skill Quick start
- 1Download the ZIP. Get the arch-linux-triage ZIP from this skill's page on the site.
- 2Unzip into a skills folder. Extract it into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use, or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder for one project.
- 3Or upload it in the apps. If you use the Claude apps, open Settings, then Capabilities, then Skills, and upload the ZIP.
- 4Describe your Arch problem. Write the symptom in plain language, mention you are on Arch, and add any snapshot or constraints.
- 5Follow the triage plan. Read the Summary and Triage Steps, then run the diagnostic commands one at a time.
- 6Apply one fix and validate. Run a single remediation command, then the matching validation commands to confirm it worked.
- 7Keep the rollback ready. Save the Rollback/Cleanup steps before making changes so you can undo them if needed.
What the Arch Linux Triage skill makes the agent do
An agent skill is a folder of instructions that an AI agent loads when a task matches it. This one is named arch-linux-triage and is described as a way to triage and resolve Arch Linux issues with pacman, systemd, and rolling-release best practices. Its only file is SKILL.md.
When the skill is active, the agent first confirms recent updates and environment assumptions. It then gives a step-by-step triage plan using systemctl, journalctl and pacman, followed by remediation commands meant to be copied and pasted, verification commands after major changes, notes on kernel updates or reboots where relevant, and rollback or cleanup steps.
- Summary of the problem
- Numbered triage steps
- Remediation commands in code blocks
- Validation commands in code blocks
- Rollback or cleanup steps
Install the skill from the ZIP download
Download the ZIP file from the skill's page on this site. Then choose one of two routes.
For a personal install, unzip the file into ~/.claude/skills/ so the arch-linux-triage folder sits there. For a single project, unzip it into the project's .claude/skills/ folder instead. The skill applies only inside that project.
If you use the Claude apps rather than a folder on disk, you can upload the skill instead. Go to Settings, then Capabilities, then Skills, and upload the ZIP there.
- Personal: ~/.claude/skills/
- Project only: .claude/skills/ inside your project
- Claude apps: Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Trigger the skill with a natural request
You do not need a special command. Describe the Arch problem in plain language and include the details the skill's inputs call for: a snapshot of your system if you have one, a summary of the problem, and any constraints such as a rule against rebooting. The first two are the inputs the skill is written to use, and the snapshot is optional.
Mention that you are on Arch so the agent uses Arch tooling. The more concrete the symptom, the more useful the triage plan will be.
- "My Arch machine no longer boots after yesterday's update. I can't reboot until tonight, so please give me a triage plan that doesn't reboot."
- "On Arch, nginx.service fails on start. Help me find out why using systemctl and journalctl."
- "Pacman says a package conflict blocks my upgrade. Walk me through a safe way to resolve it, with a rollback."
Read the output before you run anything
The skill's output follows a fixed structure, which makes it easier to review. Check the Summary first to confirm the agent understood your system. Then read the Triage Steps to see why each diagnostic command is being run. Only then move to Remediation Commands.
Run the Validation commands after each change to confirm the fix worked, and keep the Rollback/Cleanup section ready in case something goes wrong.
- Confirm the Summary matches your machine
- Understand the reason behind each triage command
- Apply one remediation at a time
- Run the validation commands after each change
- Keep the rollback steps available
systemctl status <service-name>
journalctl -u <service-name> -bSafety notes: scripts, network and rolling-release risk
The skill runs no scripts and uses no network access, according to its description. It is only a set of instructions. It does not run anything by itself and cannot check the actual state of your system. Every command the agent gives you is something you choose to run.
Arch is a rolling-release distribution, and the skill's own description notes that kernel changes and rolling updates can break a machine if applied blindly. Review each command, do not paste fixes into production systems without review, and read the kernel and reboot notes before acting.
- No scripts run and no network use
- The skill cannot verify your system; the agent's advice may be wrong for your setup
- Test on a non-critical machine first where possible
- Do not apply kernel or reboot-related fixes without reading the relevant notes
Tips for better results
Give the agent your Arch snapshot if you can, since the skill starts by checking recent updates and environment assumptions. Paste the exact error text rather than a paraphrase. If you are learning, ask the agent to explain why each command is needed; the structure of the output is designed to make that easy to follow.
- Include exact error messages and the service name
- State any constraints, such as no reboot until a set time
- Ask for the reasoning behind each command if you are learning
- Ask for the rollback steps before applying a fix
What people use it for
- Diagnosing why a systemd service fails to start on an Arch machine using systemctl and journalctl
- Working through a pacman package conflict or failed upgrade with a rollback plan
- Reviewing boot problems after an update, with notes on kernel and reboot considerations
- Giving a team a consistent triage format: summary, steps, fixes, validation, rollback
- Learning what each Arch diagnostic command does and why it is run
Frequently asked questions
How do I install the arch-linux-triage skill?
Download the ZIP from this skill's page, then unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for personal use or into a project's .claude/skills/ folder. In the Claude apps you can instead upload the ZIP under Settings, then Capabilities, then Skills.
What do I need to use this skill?
The skill lists no requirements. It contains a single SKILL.md file, runs no scripts and uses no network. You do need an agent environment that supports skills, and an Arch Linux system to act on the advice.
Is the Arch Linux Triage skill free?
The skill is published under the MIT licence in the github/awesome-copilot repository. Check the licence file in the source for the full terms.
Does the skill fix my Arch system automatically?
No. The skill is only a set of instructions. It does not run anything by itself and cannot check your actual system state, so you run each command yourself after reviewing it.
Can I use this skill on Ubuntu, Debian or Fedora?
It is not intended for other distributions. Its pacman and systemd fixes may not apply to Debian or Fedora, or may be wrong for them. Use it on Arch Linux.
Why does the agent ask me to run commands one at a time?
The skill's structure puts verification commands after each major change, so you can confirm each fix worked before moving on. Running one remediation at a time also makes rollback simpler if something breaks.
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Our verdict
The arch-linux-triage skill suits Arch Linux users who hit boot, service or package problems and want guided, reviewable commands, as well as sysadmins who want a consistent triage format and learners who want the reasoning behind each command. It is a poor fit for other distributions, for production machines where commands are pasted without review, and for anyone who needs guaranteed fixes, since it only shapes advice and cannot inspect your system.
Download the skill