# Installer

We offer a dedicated installer to assist remote installations.

In this tutorial we will guide you through building and flashing it to a bootable USB drive.

## Step 0. Prerequisites

- [x] A free USB Drive with at least 1.5GB (All data on it will be lost)
- [x] Linux/NixOS Machine with Internet

## Step 1. Identify the USB Flash Drive

1. Insert your USB flash drive into your computer.

1. Identify your flash drive with `lsblk`:

```bash
$ lsblk
```

```{.console, .no-copy}
NAME                                          MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE  MOUNTPOINTS
sdb                                             8:0    1 117,2G  0 disk
└─sdb1                                          8:1    1 117,2G  0 part  /run/media/qubasa/INTENSO
nvme0n1                                       259:0    0   1,8T  0 disk
├─nvme0n1p1                                   259:1    0   512M  0 part  /boot
└─nvme0n1p2                                   259:2    0   1,8T  0 part
  └─luks-f7600028-9d83-4967-84bc-dd2f498bc486 254:0    0   1,8T  0 crypt /nix/store                                                                 /
```

In this case it is `sdb`.

3. Ensure all partitions on the drive are unmounted. Replace `sdb1` in the command below with your device identifier (like `sdc1`, etc.):

```bash
sudo umount /dev/sdb1
```

### Step 2. Build the Installer

```bash
nix build git+https://git.clan.lol/clan/clan-core.git#install-iso
```

### Step 3. Flash the Installer to the USB Drive

Use the `dd` utility to write the NixOS installer image to your USB drive:

```bash
sudo dd bs=4M conv=fsync oflag=direct status=progress if=./result of=/dev/sd<X>
```

If your USB device is `sdb` use `of=/dev/sdb`.

### Step 4. Boot and Connect to your network

After writing the installer to the USB drive, use it to boot the target machine.

!!! info 
    Plug it into the target machine and select the USB drive as a temporary boot device.

??? tip "Here you can find the key combinations for selection used by most vendors."
    - **Dell**: F12 (Boot Menu), F2/Del (BIOS Setup)
    - **HP**: F9 (Boot Menu), Esc (Startup Menu)
    - **Lenovo**: F12 (ThinkPad Boot Menu), F2/Fn+F2/Novo Button (IdeaPad Boot Menu/BIOS Setup)
    - **Acer**: F12 (Boot Menu), F2/Del (BIOS Setup)
    - **Asus**: F8/Esc (Boot Menu), F2/Del (BIOS Setup)
    - **Toshiba**: F12/F2 (Boot Menu), Esc then F12 (Alternate Method)
    - **Sony**: F11/Assist Button (Boot Menu/Recovery Options)
    - **Samsung**: F2/F12/Esc (Boot Menu), F2 (BIOS Setup)
    - **MSI**: F11 (Boot Menu), Del (BIOS Setup)
    - **Apple**: Option (Alt) Key (Boot Menu for Mac)
    - If your hardware was not listed read the manufacturers instructions how to enter the boot Menu/BIOS Setup.



**During Boot**

Select `NixOS` to boot into the clan installer.

**After Booting**

For deploying your configuration the machine needs to be connected via LAN (recommended).

For connecting via Wifi, please consult the guide below.

---

### Whats next?

- [Configure Machines](configure.md): Customise machine configuration
- [Deploying](machines.md): Deploying a Machine configuration
- [WiFi](#optional-connect-to-wifi): Guide for connecting to Wifi.

---

### (Optional) Connect to Wifi

If you don't have access via LAN the Installer offers support for connecting via Wifi.

```bash
iwctl
```

This will enter `iwd`

```bash
[iwd]#
```

Now run the following command to connect to your Wifi:

```bash
# Identify your network device.
device list
# Replace 'wlan0' with your device name
# Find your Wifi SSID.
station wlan0 scan
station wlan0 get-networks

# Replace your_ssid with the Wifi SSID
# Connect to your network.
station wlan0 connect your_ssid

# Verify you are connected
station wlan0 show
```

If the connection was successful you should see something like this:

```bash
State                 connected                                                                                                                    
Connected network     FRITZ!Box (Your router device)                                                                                                         
IPv4 address          192.168.188.50 (Your new local ip)
```

Press `ctrl-d` to exit `IWD`

Press `ctrl-d` **again** to update the displayed QR code and connection information.