reflector

Retrieve and filter Arch Linux mirror lists

TLDR

Sort by speed and save

$ sudo reflector --sort rate --save /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

Get mirrors from country using HTTPS

$ reflector -c [Germany] -p https

Get recently synced mirrors

$ reflector -l [10]

Use config file

$ sudo reflector @/etc/xdg/reflector/reflector.conf

Display help

$ reflector -h

SYNOPSIS

reflector [-c country] [-p protocol] [-l num] [--sort method] [--save file]

reflector retrieves and filters the latest Arch Linux mirrorlist. It can test mirror speed and sort by various criteria, then save an optimized mirrorlist for pacman.The tool is useful for finding fast, reliable mirrors for your location. It can be run periodically via systemd timer to keep the mirrorlist current.

PARAMETERS

-c, --country _country_

Filter by country

-p, --protocol _proto_

Filter by protocol (http, https, ftp)

-l, --latest _num_

Get N most recently synced mirrors

--sort _method_

Sort by: rate, country, score, delay

--save _file_

Save output to file

--age _hours_

Only mirrors synced within N hours

-f, --fastest _num_

Return N fastest mirrors

CONFIGURATION

/etc/xdg/reflector/reflector.conf

Default configuration file with persistent options for country, protocol, sort method, and output path. Referenced with @ prefix on the command line.

reflector.service / reflector.timer

Systemd units for running reflector automatically on a schedule to keep the mirrorlist current.

/etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

Output destination for the generated mirror list, used by pacman for package downloads.

INSTALL

sudo pacman -S reflector

CAVEATS

Arch Linux specific. Speed tests take time. Network conditions vary. Consider running periodically for best results. Requires internet access.

HISTORY

reflector was created for Arch Linux to automate mirror selection. It replaces manual editing of the mirrorlist with intelligent, automated selection based on speed and sync status.