Every Linux box I care about has two kernels on it: the one I want to run and one I know boots. Here’s how I set that up on Omarchy, and how the new kernel menu makes switching easy.
1. See what you have
pacman -Q | grep -E '^linux'
uname -r2. Install a fallback
The LTS kernel is the classic safety net. Install it with its headers if you build any modules (DKMS, NVIDIA and so on):
sudo pacman -S linux-lts linux-lts-headersOn Omarchy the Limine hooks pick up the new kernel and add a boot entry for it. Reboot once and make sure you can actually pick it from the boot menu. A fallback you’ve never booted isn’t a fallback.
3. Switch the default (next Omarchy release)
PR #15966 adds an Update > Kernel menu (it only shows with two or more kernels) and a terminal command:
omarchy-kernel list
omarchy-kernel get
omarchy-kernel set linux-ltsIt moves that kernel to the front of BOOT_ORDER, rebuilds just that kernel and checks the boot tree, rolling back if anything fails. It won’t run when Direct Boot is active.
4. Until then
If you’re not on that build yet, just pick the kernel you want from the Limine menu at boot. If you edit Limine config by hand, back it up first and read the ArchWiki page so you know which file your setup actually uses.
5. After a bad update
- Boot the fallback kernel.
- Check
journalctl -b -1 -p errto see what broke on the last boot. - Roll back or wait for the fix, then switch the default back.
Two kernels, one menu click. Cheap insurance.
Have a blessed day! And Happy Hacking!
