---
title: Managing Hardware with chwd
description: Hardware Detection and Configuration for CachyOS
---

[CachyOS Hardware Detection](https://github.com/CachyOS/chwd/) (better known as `chwd`) enables us to power a variety of hardware by installing the necessary
packages and drivers for the running system. This includes systems running NVIDIA's graphics cards, T2 Macbooks, and handheld devices such as the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.

## Usage

`chwd` is typically ran during installation time to provide the necessary packages for the system. However, it is also possible
to use it post-install.

### Auto Configuration

`chwd` supports installing and configuring necessary drivers and packages so that the system can work at optimal conditions.

```sh
sudo chwd -a
```

### Installing a profile

An alternative to the above method is to install each specific profile.

```sh title='List all available profiles'
chwd --list-all
> All PCI profiles:
╭─────────────────────────┬──────────╮
│ Name                    ┆ Priority │
╞═════════════════════════╪══════════╡
│ nouveau                 ┆ 18       │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ nvidia-dkms-470xx       ┆ 14       │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ nvidia-dkms-580xx       ┆ 12       │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ nvidia-open-dkms        ┆ 10       │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ macbook-t2              ┆ 9        │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ virtualmachine          ┆ 5        │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ amd                     ┆ 4        │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ intel                   ┆ 4        │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ fallback                ┆ 3        │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ handheld.intel-msi-claw ┆ 2        │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ handheld.rog-ally       ┆ 2        │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ handheld.steam-deck     ┆ 2        │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ handheld                ┆ 1        │
├╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┼╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌╌┤
│ broadcom-wl             ┆ 1        │
╰─────────────────────────┴──────────╯
```

```sh title='Installing a chwd profile'
sudo chwd -i amd
> Installing amd ...

> Successfully installed amd
```

### Others

Consult the help output of `chwd` for command syntax and other usage.

```sh
chwd --help
Usage: chwd [OPTIONS]

Options:
  -i, --install <profile>          Install profile
  -r, --remove <profile>           Remove profile
  -d, --detail                     Show detailed info for listings
  -f, --force                      Force reinstall
      --list-installed             List installed kernels
      --list                       List available profiles for all devices
      --list-all                   List all profiles
  -a, --autoconfigure [<classid>]  Autoconfigure
      --ai_sdk                     Toggle AI SDK profiles
      --pmcachedir <PMCACHEDIR>    [default: /var/cache/pacman/pkg]
      --pmconfig <PMCONFIG>        [default: /etc/pacman.conf]
      --pmroot <PMROOT>            [default: /]
  -h, --help                       Print help
  -V, --version                    Print version
```
