---
layout: doc
title: How to Create a BlackArch VM
permalink: /doc/pentesting/blackarch/
redirect_from:
- /doc/blackarch/
---

**General reminder:**

- The installation scripts and provided tools may have bugs, be vulnerable to Man in the Middle (MitM) attacks or other vulnerabilities.

- Adding additional repositories or tools for installing software extends your trust to those tool providers.

Please keep in mind that using such a VM or VMs based on the template for security and privacy critical tasks is not recommended.  

How to Create a BlackArch VM
============================

[BlackArch](https://www.blackarch.org) Linux is an [Arch Linux](https://www.archlinux.org)-based distribution for penetration testers and security researchers. The repository contains [1434](https://www.blackarch.org/tools.html) tools.

- List of [tools](https://www.blackarch.org/tools.html)
- [Installation Instructions](https://www.blackarch.org/downloads.html)

Create ArchLinux Based BlackArch Template
-----------------------------------------

1. Create ArchlLinux Template

    - Follow the [Archlinux Template instructions](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/building-archlinux-template/)


2. Update Template

        sudo pacman -Syyu

3. Clone template

    1. Via Qubes VM Manager

    2. Via command line

            qvm-clone archlinux blackarch

4. Install BlackArch repository

        $ curl -O https://blackarch.org/strap.sh

        # The SHA1 sum should match: 34b1a3698a4c971807fb1fe41463b9d25e1a4a09
        $ sha1sum strap.sh

        # Set execute bit
        $ chmod +x strap.sh

        # Run strap.sh
        $ sudo ./strap.sh

5. Install tools

    - install all tools

            sudo pacman -S blackarch

    - or by category:

            # list available categories
            pacman -Sg | grep blackarch

            # install category
            sudo pacman -S blackarch-<category>

            # example
            sudo pacman -S blackarch-forensic

    - or specific tool

            # Search for tool
            pacman -Ss <tool-name>

            # Install tool
            sudo pacman -S <tool-name>

            # Example
            pacman -Ss burpsuite
            sudo pacman -S burpsuite

6. Create a AppVMs based on the `blackarch` template

    - (Optional) Attach necessary devices

Alternative Options to BlackArch
--------------------------------

- [Kali](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/pentesting/kali/)
- [PenTester Framework (PTF)](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/pentesting/ptf/)
- [Pentesting](https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/pentesting/)