Part of CachyOS Wiki Notes. From the official CachyOS wiki (last updated 2026-03-22).

Managing Hardware with chwd

chwd = CachyOS Hardware Detection (https://github.com/CachyOS/chwd/). It installs the packages and drivers the running system needs: NVIDIA GPUs, T2 MacBooks, handhelds (Steam Deck, ROG Ally). It normally runs at install time but works post-install too.

Auto-configure (installs and configures drivers/packages so the system runs optimally):

sudo chwd -a

Install a specific profile — list them first:

chwd --list-all

Example PCI profiles and priorities from the wiki output: 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.

Install a profile:

sudo chwd -i amd

Output: > Installing amd ... then > Successfully installed amd.

Full option list, verbatim from 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

The wiki defers to chwd --help for anything else.

Related: Switching Between NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, Dual GPU Setup.