Today, I attempted to set up support for creating snapshots via Snapper on a fresh installation of CachyOS (2024-05-12) using a combination of GRUB and Btrfs. The installation was initiated through the CachyOS Hello interface with a button click.
Although the installation completed successfully, it did not meet my expectations. I anticipated that the installation script would include support for displaying snapshots in GRUB during the CachyOS boot process.
Unfortunately, this feature was not included, and I had to configure it manually. Here is the procedure I followed:
Edit the root configuration to grant the wheel group permission to create snapshots:
sudo vim /etc/snapper/configs/root
Add the following line:
ALLOW_GROUPS="wheel"
Configure snap-pac:
sudo vim /etc/snap-pac.ini
Add the following:
[root]
snapshot = True
Update GRUB configuration:
grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
After completing these steps, reboot the system and try creating a manual backup via btrfs-assistant.
I would appreciate it if the installation script for GRUB and Btrfs included these steps, eliminating the need for manual configuration. Alternatively, an option could be provided during the script to choose whether to install this support.
Snapper is already installed.
I’m not saying that the installation and running of snapshots don’t work.
I’m just saying that it’s not fully set up for inexperienced users or newcomers to Arch-based distros.
The installation script just needs to be supplemented with the steps I mentioned above (excluding the installation of packages that are already installed).
I talked with peter about the grub package he said it is a work in progress i hope it add it to the snapper support with some of his magic to make a full perfect script (the button in cachy hello )
That way it becomes more perfect as many people afraid of not using arch cuz of its rolling nature as they think rolling = unstable wich is not true
Also that way cachyos will be the first and best OS for new user / also advanced ( because windows scrowed up again and many people are changing to linux )
as they gonna be using arch with peace of mind " that doesnt mean that cachy os not stable it is rock solid stable".
But in case of Unbootable update the users will not have to suffer to restore the working state ( through command lines etc ) , they simply go to grub and boot to the perfect state (Grub-snapper)
No but it has the option to restore. Booting from snapshot is only really useful when your system is non responsive which is why something like grub bootable snapshots is really good but it’s not really good for a tool.
Yes that the point of the grub btrfs tool i think , in case of a bad update you can easily boot to a perfect usable state ( from the grub menu ) its kind the way Nixos uses But this for arch ( i think its the first if gonna be live and working )
A solid perfect Arch Distro that you can roll back in case of a bad update easily you jist boot back from a snapshot , thats the dream
Sure, I understand this. But only an advanced user can handle this, not a beginner. That’s why the whole suggestion came about. To make it as easy as possible for all users, regardless of their knowledge level.
Basically, the installation script Hello for Snapper + Btrfs needs to be improved so that the individual snapshots of system changes (I am not sure if it makes sense for home as well) are displayed in Grub at system startup.
Btrfs-assistant is an amazing tool and works flawlessly for me.
We know how to integrate this, this is not a problem.
But it requires a correct detection of the installed bootloader.
This does not work that easy, since if the user would install the “archiso” package, it will automatically fetch grub.
As i said - I prepare something until end of the weekend for grub.
Yes, it has already been confirmed many times with @ptr1337 that this is something you are already looking into adding. Discussed many times on the old forums and also here again a few weeks ago. And AGAIN here today.
Provide detailed information on what actions are performed when the button in Hello is clicked (when it will be done).
Additionally, which steps will still be necessary, in line with what I mentioned in the first post.