Create Bootable USB

Download CachyOS

Download the latest ISO from the CachyOS website.

Verify the checksum before writing:

sha256sum cachyos-*.iso
# Compare against the .sha256 file on the download page

Write the ISO

On Linux / macOS

# Find your USB drive device
lsblk   # Linux
diskutil list   # macOS

# Write (replace /dev/sdX or /dev/diskN with your device)
sudo dd if=cachyos-*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync

Double-check the target device

dd will overwrite anything at the target path without confirmation. Verify the device name with lsblk before running.

On Windows

Use Rufus with:

• Partition scheme: GPT
• Target system: UEFI (non CSM)
• Write mode: DD Image

Boot from USB

1. Insert the USB drive
2. Power on while holding Option (⌥)
3. Select the EFI Boot entry (yellow icon, typically labelled "EFI Boot")
4. CachyOS live environment will start

If no EFI Boot option appears

Ensure Startup Security Utility is set to "No Security" and external media is allowed. See Disable T2 Security.