This app that makes Arch Linux easier to use just got its 'biggest release yet'

Published Jul 29, 2026, 2:20 AM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Getting Arch Linux set up can be tricky, especially if you're new to Linux as a whole. While Arch veterans wear the badge of honor they earned by installing the OS on a Compaq Portable III using only the left side of their keyboard, there are apps out there for us mere mortals who need a helping hand. One such app is Shelly, which makes installing and managing apps on Arch Linux a lot simpler. And with the app's v3 update (which the dev team calls their "biggest release yet"), it's never been easier to get started with Arch. Shelly v3 makes looking for packages a lot easier Plus it'll handle the optional requirements for you Over on the project's GitHub page, the Shelly team has officially released v3 of their software. The spotlight feature with this version is a rewrite to Zig, which allows them to scrap v2's C# and .NET dependencies: This is where the v3 rewrite really shines. Zig is a great fit for a package manager because Shelly already works closely with native Linux libraries such as libalpm, GTK4, libarchive, and GPG. Shelly v3 can call those libraries directly through native bindings instead of moving data through a managed runtime and a large interop layer. By moving to Zig, Shelly v3 can grab executables without the need for the .NET runtime or a garbage collector. It'll also be easier on the memory, and by scrapping all of the old C# code, the team can now focus on adding and improving what matters. So, what about the stuff you'll see? Well, the new version of Shelly updates the welcome page, where users can pick if they want to use AURs, Flatpaks, and/or AppImages. It'll even grab optional requirements when you enable one. Browsing packages now looks better, with improved sorting, sortable columns, and list and grid views. Plus, Shelly v3 will now autosave your customizations. If you want to give it a try, head over to the Shelly v3 GitHub page for the download links and the full patch notes.