How to Contribute to the Arch Wiki on Arch Linux

The Arch Wiki is one of the most comprehensive and community-driven documentation resources in the Linux world. Maintained entirely by volunteers, it serves as the go-to guide not just for Arch Linux users but also for users of other distributions seeking detailed information on Linux configuration, system maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Contributing to the Arch Wiki is an excellent way to give back to the Arch community, solidify your own understanding of the system, and ensure others benefit from your experiences. Whether you’re fixing a typo, improving the clarity of instructions, or writing new content, every contribution matters.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to begin contributing to the Arch Wiki on Arch Linux—from creating an account to understanding editing conventions and guidelines.

1. Why Contribute to the Arch Wiki?

Before diving into the technical steps, it helps to understand why contributing to the Arch Wiki is both valuable and fulfilling:

• Community Impact: You help other users by improving the quality and accuracy of the documentation.
• Self-Education: Writing and editing wiki pages deepens your own knowledge.
• Transparency: Open and public contributions ensure knowledge is accessible to all.
• Recognition: Consistent contributions can earn you recognition in the community, and even maintainership roles.

2. Prerequisites

To contribute meaningfully to the Arch Wiki, you should:

• Have basic knowledge of Arch Linux and familiarity with Linux commands.
• Understand wiki markup syntax (MediaWiki syntax in this case).
• Be willing to follow community guidelines and policies.
• Be able to write clearly and concisely in English.

3. Creating an Arch Wiki Account

Contributing requires an account. Here’s how to create one:

1. Go to https://wiki.archlinux.org/
2. Click on “Log in” at the top right corner.
3. Click “Create account.”
4. Fill in the required details: username, password, email address.
5. Solve the CAPTCHA and submit.

Once created, log in to begin editing.

Tip: Use a username that reflects your online identity on Arch Linux forums or IRC for consistency.

4. Understanding the Editing Process

MediaWiki Syntax

The Arch Wiki uses MediaWiki, the same software that powers Wikipedia. Here are a few basics:

• == Section == for headings
• '''bold''' and ''italic''
• [[PageName]] or [[PageName|Custom Label]] for links
• * for bullet points
• # for numbered lists
• <code>, <pre>, and {{ic|}} for code snippets

For a full guide, see: Help:Editing

5. Start Small: Minor Edits

If you’re new to the wiki, start with small tasks:

• Fix typos or grammar.
• Update outdated links or package names.
• Clarify ambiguous wording.
• Add missing flags or update systemd unit names.

Look at the Recent changes page to see what others are doing and get inspiration.

6. Following the Guidelines

The Arch Wiki has specific conventions you must follow. These ensure consistency and quality across all articles.

Key Style Guidelines

• Be concise and neutral. Avoid personal anecdotes or opinions.
• Use gender-neutral language.
• Always include references to official documentation or trusted sources.
• Use correct naming conventions for packages, commands, and paths (e.g., pacman, not PacMan).

Refer to the Help:Style page for detailed standards.

Common Templates

Templates help standardize notices and formatting. A few examples:

• {{Warning|This action is potentially dangerous.}}
• {{Note|You might need to ...}}
• {{Accuracy|section|This section needs review.}}

Use them appropriately to improve readability and warn users.

7. Creating New Pages

If you’ve identified a missing topic and feel confident in your knowledge:

1. Search the wiki to ensure the topic doesn’t already exist.
2. Use the search bar or: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Page_Name
3. If the page doesn’t exist, you’ll see a link to “Create the page.”

When creating new pages:

• Follow existing naming patterns (e.g., “Arch on ARM,” “Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon”).
• Start with a clear introduction and purpose.
• Use sections (== Section ==) to organize content logically.
• Link to related pages using [[PageName]].

8. Major Edits and Content Expansion

Before making large-scale changes:

• Check the talk page (click “Discussion” at the top) to see if there’s ongoing discussion about the page.
• Consider suggesting your changes on the talk page if they’re controversial.
• Follow the Bold, Revert, Discuss rule: Be bold in editing, but if reverted, discuss it calmly.

9. Collaborating with Other Editors

Effective collaboration is a big part of wiki culture.

• Use Edit summaries: Describe what changes you made and why.
• Be respectful in talk pages: Assume good faith and stay constructive.
• Avoid edit wars: If your change is reverted, start a discussion instead of reapplying it.

10. Watchlists and Tracking Changes

You can “watch” a page to be notified of changes:

• Click the star icon at the top of a page.
• Manage your watchlist via “Watchlist” in the top menu.

This is useful for pages you’ve contributed to or care about.

11. Contributing as a Non-English Speaker

The Arch Wiki is maintained in English, but translations exist for several languages. You can help by:

• Translating existing content to your native language.
• Keeping translated pages up to date with the English version.
• Following the guidelines for translation linked at Help:i18n

Each language has its own coordination pages and active contributors.

12. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Here are a few things to watch out for:

• Duplicating content: Don’t create redundant pages or sections.
• Breaking formatting: Always preview your edits before saving.
• Adding original research or unsupported claims: Cite reliable sources or Arch documentation.
• Using inappropriate tone: The wiki is not a blog or forum.

13. Tools That Can Help

ArchWiki markdown tools

Some external tools can help you write or preview MediaWiki syntax before editing directly in the browser:

• ArchWiki Viewer: View and search Arch Wiki locally.
• MediaWiki Sandbox: Practice syntax before editing.

Browser Extensions

Consider using browser extensions like:

• Dark Reader for better readability.
• Wiki syntax highlighters for easier editing.

14. Staying Up-to-Date

Follow the Arch Linux Forum and Reddit to know what topics are trending or need documentation updates.

Keep your system updated and document your findings. If a recent update broke or fixed something for you—chances are someone else will benefit from your insights on the wiki.

15. Advanced Contributions

Once you’re confident and active, consider:

• Joining the Trusted Users or wiki maintainers (requires a track record).
• Helping with wiki maintenance tasks: reviewing flagged pages, verifying outdated content.
• Organizing content: categorization, fixing broken links, and disambiguation.

Conclusion

Contributing to the Arch Wiki is one of the most impactful ways to give back to the Arch Linux community. It doesn’t require you to be an expert—just a willingness to share knowledge responsibly and respectfully.

Start small, learn the conventions, and collaborate with others. Over time, your contributions will become part of the collective knowledge that defines the Arch experience.

So fire up your favorite editor, browse to a wiki page, and start improving the knowledge base that we all rely on.