yay is an AUR helper. It lets you install packages from the Arch User Repository (AUR), using the same simple commands as pacman. It is the first tool I install on any new Arch system.
Step 1: Install Base Tools
yay needs git and base-devel to build packages. Install them first:
sudo pacman -S --needed git base-devel
Step 2: Clone the yay Repository
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
Step 3: Build and Install yay
cd yay
makepkg -si
This command builds the package and installs it. It may ask for your password, since it needs sudo to finish the install.
Step 4: Confirm the Install
yay --version
If you see a version number, yay is ready to use.
Using yay
yay works like pacman, but it also searches the AUR:
To search for a package:
yay -Ss package-name
To install a package:
yay -S package-name
And to update your whole system, including AUR packages, just run:
yay
Closing Thoughts
That's it. A few commands, and you have access to the AUR. This is the first thing I do on any fresh Arch install.