Move locales and cleanup menu (#1814)

* Cleanup imports and unused code

* Cleanup imports and unused code

* Update build check

* Keep deprecation exception

* Simplify logging

* Move locale into new sub-menu

---------

Co-authored-by: Daniel Girtler <girtler.daniel@gmail.com>

17 files changed, 374 insertions, 187 deletions

diff --git a/archinstall/__init__.py b/archinstall/__init__.py
index e6fcb267..ce58e255 100644
--- a/archinstall/__init__.py
+++ b/archinstall/__init__.py
@@ -213,8 +213,7 @@ def load_config():
 	"""
 	from .lib.models import NetworkConfiguration
 
-	arguments.setdefault('sys-language', 'en_US')
-	arguments.setdefault('sys-encoding', 'utf-8')
+	arguments['locale_config'] = locale.LocaleConfiguration.parse_arg(arguments)
 
 	if (archinstall_lang := arguments.get('archinstall-language', None)) is not None:
 		arguments['archinstall-language'] = TranslationHandler().get_language_by_name(archinstall_lang)
diff --git a/archinstall/default_profiles/profile.py b/archinstall/default_profiles/profile.py
index b1ad1f50..ce07c286 100644
--- a/archinstall/default_profiles/profile.py
+++ b/archinstall/default_profiles/profile.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from enum import Enum, auto
 from typing import List, Optional, Any, Dict, TYPE_CHECKING, TypeVar
 
-from archinstall.lib.output import FormattedOutput
+from archinstall.lib.utils.util import format_cols
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
 	from archinstall.lib.installer import Installer
@@ -185,17 +185,6 @@ class Profile:
 		return None
 
 	def packages_text(self) -> str:
-		text = str(_('Installed packages')) + ':\n'
-
-		nr_packages = len(self.packages)
-		if nr_packages <= 5:
-			col = 1
-		elif nr_packages <= 10:
-			col = 2
-		elif nr_packages <= 15:
-			col = 3
-		else:
-			col = 4
-
-		text += FormattedOutput.as_columns(self.packages, col)
-		return text
+		header = str(_('Installed packages'))
+		output = format_cols(self.packages, header)
+		return output
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/global_menu.py b/archinstall/lib/global_menu.py
index fc58a653..91ebc6a0 100644
--- a/archinstall/lib/global_menu.py
+++ b/archinstall/lib/global_menu.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from typing import Any, List, Optional, Union, Dict, TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from . import disk
 from .general import secret
+from .locale.locale_menu import LocaleConfiguration, LocaleMenu
 from .menu import Selector, AbstractMenu
 from .mirrors import MirrorConfiguration, MirrorMenu
 from .models import NetworkConfiguration
@@ -24,9 +25,7 @@ from .interactions import ask_to_configure_network
 from .interactions import get_password, ask_for_a_timezone
 from .interactions import select_additional_repositories
 from .interactions import select_kernel
-from .interactions import select_language
-from .interactions import select_locale_enc
-from .interactions import select_locale_lang
+from .utils.util import format_cols
 from .interactions import ask_ntp
 from .interactions.disk_conf import select_disk_config
 
@@ -36,6 +35,7 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 
 class GlobalMenu(AbstractMenu):
 	def __init__(self, data_store: Dict[str, Any]):
+		self._defined_text = str(_('Defined'))
 		super().__init__(data_store=data_store, auto_cursor=True, preview_size=0.3)
 
 	def setup_selection_menu_options(self):
@@ -46,28 +46,19 @@ class GlobalMenu(AbstractMenu):
 				lambda x: self._select_archinstall_language(x),
 				display_func=lambda x: x.display_name,
 				default=self.translation_handler.get_language_by_abbr('en'))
-		self._menu_options['keyboard-layout'] = \
+		self._menu_options['locale_config'] = \
 			Selector(
-				_('Keyboard layout'),
-				lambda preset: select_language(preset),
-				default='us')
+				_('Locales'),
+				lambda preset: self._locale_selection(preset),
+				preview_func=self._prev_locale,
+				display_func=lambda x: self._defined_text if x else '')
 		self._menu_options['mirror_config'] = \
 			Selector(
 				_('Mirrors'),
 				lambda preset: self._mirror_configuration(preset),
-				display_func=lambda x: str(_('Defined')) if x else '',
+				display_func=lambda x: self._defined_text if x else '',
 				preview_func=self._prev_mirror_config
 			)
-		self._menu_options['sys-language'] = \
-			Selector(
-				_('Locale language'),
-				lambda preset: select_locale_lang(preset),
-				default='en_US')
-		self._menu_options['sys-encoding'] = \
-			Selector(
-				_('Locale encoding'),
-				lambda preset: select_locale_enc(preset),
-				default='UTF-8')
 		self._menu_options['disk_config'] = \
 			Selector(
 				_('Disk configuration'),
@@ -103,32 +94,32 @@ class GlobalMenu(AbstractMenu):
 			Selector(
 				_('Root password'),
 				lambda preset:self._set_root_password(),
-				display_func=lambda x: secret(x) if x else 'None')
+				display_func=lambda x: secret(x) if x else '')
 		self._menu_options['!users'] = \
 			Selector(
 				_('User account'),
 				lambda x: self._create_user_account(x),
 				default=[],
-				display_func=lambda x: f'{len(x)} {_("User(s)")}' if len(x) > 0 else None,
+				display_func=lambda x: f'{len(x)} {_("User(s)")}' if len(x) > 0 else '',
 				preview_func=self._prev_users)
 		self._menu_options['profile_config'] = \
 			Selector(
 				_('Profile'),
 				lambda preset: self._select_profile(preset),
-				display_func=lambda x: x.profile.name if x else 'None',
+				display_func=lambda x: x.profile.name if x else '',
 				preview_func=self._prev_profile
 			)
 		self._menu_options['audio'] = \
 			Selector(
 				_('Audio'),
 				lambda preset: self._select_audio(preset),
-				display_func=lambda x: x if x else 'None',
+				display_func=lambda x: x if x else '',
 				default=None
 			)
 		self._menu_options['parallel downloads'] = \
 			Selector(
 				_('Parallel Downloads'),
-				add_number_of_parrallel_downloads,
+				lambda preset: add_number_of_parrallel_downloads(preset),
 				display_func=lambda x: x if x else '0',
 				default=0
 			)
@@ -141,19 +132,20 @@ class GlobalMenu(AbstractMenu):
 		self._menu_options['packages'] = \
 			Selector(
 				_('Additional packages'),
-				# lambda x: ask_additional_packages_to_install(storage['arguments'].get('packages', None)),
-				ask_additional_packages_to_install,
+				lambda preset: ask_additional_packages_to_install(preset),
+				display_func=lambda x: self._defined_text if x else '',
+				preview_func=self._prev_additional_pkgs,
 				default=[])
 		self._menu_options['additional-repositories'] = \
 			Selector(
 				_('Optional repositories'),
-				select_additional_repositories,
+				lambda preset: select_additional_repositories(preset),
 				display_func=lambda x: ', '.join(x) if x else None,
 				default=[])
 		self._menu_options['nic'] = \
 			Selector(
 				_('Network configuration'),
-				ask_to_configure_network,
+				lambda preset: ask_to_configure_network(preset),
 				display_func=lambda x: self._display_network_conf(x),
 				preview_func=self._prev_network_config,
 				default={})
@@ -177,12 +169,37 @@ class GlobalMenu(AbstractMenu):
 		self._menu_options['install'] = \
 			Selector(
 				self._install_text(),
-				exec_func=lambda n,v: True if len(self._missing_configs()) == 0 else False,
+				exec_func=lambda n, v: True if len(self._missing_configs()) == 0 else False,
 				preview_func=self._prev_install_missing_config,
 				no_store=True)
 
 		self._menu_options['abort'] = Selector(_('Abort'), exec_func=lambda n,v:exit(1))
 
+	def _missing_configs(self) -> List[str]:
+		def check(s):
+			return self._menu_options.get(s).has_selection()
+
+		def has_superuser() -> bool:
+			sel = self._menu_options['!users']
+			if sel.current_selection:
+				return any([u.sudo for u in sel.current_selection])
+			return False
+
+		mandatory_fields = dict(filter(lambda x: x[1].is_mandatory(), self._menu_options.items()))
+		missing = set()
+
+		for key, selector in mandatory_fields.items():
+			if key in ['!root-password', '!users']:
+				if not check('!root-password') and not has_superuser():
+					missing.add(
+						str(_('Either root-password or at least 1 user with sudo privileges must be specified'))
+					)
+			elif key == 'disk_config':
+				if not check('disk_config'):
+					missing.add(self._menu_options['disk_config'].description)
+
+		return list(missing)
+
 	def _update_install_text(self, name: str, value: str):
 		text = self._install_text()
 		self._menu_options['install'].update_description(text)
@@ -216,6 +233,21 @@ class GlobalMenu(AbstractMenu):
 		disk_encryption = disk.DiskEncryptionMenu(mods, data_store, preset=preset).run()
 		return disk_encryption
 
+	def _locale_selection(self, preset: LocaleConfiguration) -> LocaleConfiguration:
+		data_store: Dict[str, Any] = {}
+		locale_config = LocaleMenu(data_store, preset).run()
+		return locale_config
+
+	def _prev_locale(self) -> Optional[str]:
+		selector = self._menu_options['locale_config']
+		if selector.has_selection():
+			config: LocaleConfiguration = selector.current_selection  # type: ignore
+			output = '{}: {}\n'.format(str(_('Keyboard layout')), config.kb_layout)
+			output += '{}: {}\n'.format(str(_('Locale language')), config.sys_lang)
+			output += '{}: {}'.format(str(_('Locale encoding')), config.sys_enc)
+			return output
+		return None
+
 	def _prev_network_config(self) -> Optional[str]:
 		selector = self._menu_options['nic']
 		if selector.has_selection():
@@ -224,6 +256,13 @@ class GlobalMenu(AbstractMenu):
 				return FormattedOutput.as_table(ifaces)
 		return None
 
+	def _prev_additional_pkgs(self):
+		selector = self._menu_options['packages']
+		if selector.has_selection():
+			packages: List[str] = selector.current_selection
+			return format_cols(packages, None)
+		return None
+
 	def _prev_disk_layouts(self) -> Optional[str]:
 		selector = self._menu_options['disk_config']
 		disk_layout_conf: Optional[disk.DiskLayoutConfiguration] = selector.current_selection
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/hardware.py b/archinstall/lib/hardware.py
index 220d3d37..2b65e07c 100644
--- a/archinstall/lib/hardware.py
+++ b/archinstall/lib/hardware.py
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@ from functools import cached_property
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Optional, Dict, List
 
+from .exceptions import SysCallError
 from .general import SysCommand
 from .networking import list_interfaces, enrich_iface_types
-from .exceptions import SysCallError
 from .output import debug
 
 AVAILABLE_GFX_DRIVERS = {
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/installer.py b/archinstall/lib/installer.py
index 30442774..6eac85fc 100644
--- a/archinstall/lib/installer.py
+++ b/archinstall/lib/installer.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ from . import disk
 from .exceptions import DiskError, ServiceException, RequirementError, HardwareIncompatibilityError, SysCallError
 from .general import SysCommand
 from .hardware import SysInfo
+from .locale import LocaleConfiguration
 from .locale import verify_keyboard_layout, verify_x11_keyboard_layout
 from .luks import Luks2
 from .mirrors import use_mirrors, MirrorConfiguration, add_custom_mirrors
@@ -457,37 +458,36 @@ class Installer:
 		with open(f'{self.target}/etc/hostname', 'w') as fh:
 			fh.write(hostname + '\n')
 
-	def set_locale(self, locale :str, encoding :str = 'UTF-8', *args :str, **kwargs :str) -> bool:
-		if not len(locale):
-			return True
-
+	def set_locale(self, locale_config: LocaleConfiguration):
 		modifier = ''
+		lang = locale_config.sys_lang
+		encoding = locale_config.sys_enc
 
 		# This is a temporary patch to fix #1200
-		if '.' in locale:
-			locale, potential_encoding = locale.split('.', 1)
+		if '.' in locale_config.sys_lang:
+			lang, potential_encoding = locale_config.sys_lang.split('.', 1)
 
 			# Override encoding if encoding is set to the default parameter
 			# and the "found" encoding differs.
-			if encoding == 'UTF-8' and encoding != potential_encoding:
+			if locale_config.sys_enc == 'UTF-8' and locale_config.sys_enc != potential_encoding:
 				encoding = potential_encoding
 
 		# Make sure we extract the modifier, that way we can put it in if needed.
-		if '@' in locale:
-			locale, modifier = locale.split('@', 1)
+		if '@' in locale_config.sys_lang:
+			lang, modifier = locale_config.sys_lang.split('@', 1)
 			modifier = f"@{modifier}"
 		# - End patch
 
 		with open(f'{self.target}/etc/locale.gen', 'a') as fh:
-			fh.write(f'{locale}.{encoding}{modifier} {encoding}\n')
+			fh.write(f'{lang}.{encoding}{modifier} {encoding}\n')
+
 		with open(f'{self.target}/etc/locale.conf', 'w') as fh:
-			fh.write(f'LANG={locale}.{encoding}{modifier}\n')
+			fh.write(f'LANG={lang}.{encoding}{modifier}\n')
 
 		try:
 			SysCommand(f'/usr/bin/arch-chroot {self.target} locale-gen')
-			return True
-		except SysCallError:
-			return False
+		except SysCallError as e:
+			error(f'Failed to run locale-gen on target: {e}')
 
 	def set_timezone(self, zone :str, *args :str, **kwargs :str) -> bool:
 		if not zone:
@@ -620,7 +620,7 @@ class Installer:
 
 		return True
 
-	def mkinitcpio(self, *flags :str) -> bool:
+	def mkinitcpio(self, flags: List[str], locale_config: LocaleConfiguration) -> bool:
 		for plugin in plugins.values():
 			if hasattr(plugin, 'on_mkinitcpio'):
 				# Allow plugins to override the usage of mkinitcpio altogether.
@@ -630,7 +630,7 @@ class Installer:
 		# mkinitcpio will error out if there's no vconsole.
 		if (vconsole := Path(f"{self.target}/etc/vconsole.conf")).exists() is False:
 			with vconsole.open('w') as fh:
-				fh.write(f"KEYMAP={storage['arguments']['keyboard-layout']}\n")
+				fh.write(f"KEYMAP={locale_config.kb_layout}\n")
 
 		with open(f'{self.target}/etc/mkinitcpio.conf', 'w') as mkinit:
 			mkinit.write(f"MODULES=({' '.join(self.modules)})\n")
@@ -658,7 +658,7 @@ class Installer:
 		testing: bool = False,
 		multilib: bool = False,
 		hostname: str = 'archinstall',
-		locales: List[str] = ['en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8']
+		locale_config: LocaleConfiguration = LocaleConfiguration.default()
 	):
 		for mod in self._disk_config.device_modifications:
 			for part in mod.partitions:
@@ -734,12 +734,12 @@ class Installer:
 		# sys_command(f'/usr/bin/arch-chroot {self.target} ln -s /usr/share/zoneinfo/{localtime} /etc/localtime')
 		# sys_command('/usr/bin/arch-chroot /mnt hwclock --hctosys --localtime')
 		self.set_hostname(hostname)
-		self.set_locale(*locales[0].split())
+		self.set_locale(locale_config)
 
 		# TODO: Use python functions for this
 		SysCommand(f'/usr/bin/arch-chroot {self.target} chmod 700 /root')
 
-		self.mkinitcpio('-P')
+		self.mkinitcpio(['-P'], locale_config)
 
 		self.helper_flags['base'] = True
 
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/interactions/__init__.py b/archinstall/lib/interactions/__init__.py
index 158750cc..466cfa0b 100644
--- a/archinstall/lib/interactions/__init__.py
+++ b/archinstall/lib/interactions/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-from .locale_conf import select_locale_lang, select_locale_enc
 from .manage_users_conf import UserList, ask_for_additional_users
 from .network_conf import ManualNetworkConfig, ask_to_configure_network
 from .utils import get_password
@@ -10,7 +9,7 @@ from .disk_conf import (
 )
 
 from .general_conf import (
-	ask_ntp, ask_hostname, ask_for_a_timezone, ask_for_audio_selection, select_language,
+	ask_ntp, ask_hostname, ask_for_a_timezone, ask_for_audio_selection,
 	select_archinstall_language, ask_additional_packages_to_install,
 	add_number_of_parrallel_downloads, select_additional_repositories
 )
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/interactions/general_conf.py b/archinstall/lib/interactions/general_conf.py
index 0338c61e..3b78847b 100644
--- a/archinstall/lib/interactions/general_conf.py
+++ b/archinstall/lib/interactions/general_conf.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import pathlib
 from typing import List, Any, Optional, TYPE_CHECKING
 
-from ..locale import list_keyboard_languages, list_timezones
+from ..locale import list_timezones, list_keyboard_languages
 from ..menu import MenuSelectionType, Menu, TextInput
 from ..output import warn
 from ..packages.packages import validate_package_list
@@ -119,18 +119,18 @@ def select_archinstall_language(languages: List[Language], preset: Language) ->
 	raise ValueError('Language selection not handled')
 
 
-def ask_additional_packages_to_install(pre_set_packages: List[str] = []) -> List[str]:
+def ask_additional_packages_to_install(preset: List[str] = []) -> List[str]:
 	# Additional packages (with some light weight error handling for invalid package names)
 	print(_('Only packages such as base, base-devel, linux, linux-firmware, efibootmgr and optional profile packages are installed.'))
 	print(_('If you desire a web browser, such as firefox or chromium, you may specify it in the following prompt.'))
 
-	def read_packages(already_defined: list = []) -> list:
-		display = ' '.join(already_defined)
+	def read_packages(p: List = []) -> list:
+		display = ' '.join(p)
 		input_packages = TextInput(_('Write additional packages to install (space separated, leave blank to skip): '), display).run().strip()
 		return input_packages.split() if input_packages else []
 
-	pre_set_packages = pre_set_packages if pre_set_packages else []
-	packages = read_packages(pre_set_packages)
+	preset = preset if preset else []
+	packages = read_packages(preset)
 
 	if not storage['arguments']['offline'] and not storage['arguments']['no_pkg_lookups']:
 		while True:
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/interactions/locale_conf.py b/archinstall/lib/interactions/locale_conf.py
deleted file mode 100644
index de115202..00000000
--- a/archinstall/lib/interactions/locale_conf.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,43 +0,0 @@
-from typing import Any, TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
-
-from ..locale import list_locales
-from ..menu import Menu, MenuSelectionType
-
-if TYPE_CHECKING:
-	_: Any
-
-
-def select_locale_lang(preset: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[str]:
-	locales = list_locales()
-	locale_lang = set([locale.split()[0] for locale in locales])
-
-	choice = Menu(
-		_('Choose which locale language to use'),
-		list(locale_lang),
-		sort=True,
-		preset_values=preset
-	).run()
-
-	match choice.type_:
-		case MenuSelectionType.Selection: return choice.single_value
-		case MenuSelectionType.Skip: return preset
-
-	return None
-
-
-def select_locale_enc(preset: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[str]:
-	locales = list_locales()
-	locale_enc = set([locale.split()[1] for locale in locales])
-
-	choice = Menu(
-		_('Choose which locale encoding to use'),
-		list(locale_enc),
-		sort=True,
-		preset_values=preset
-	).run()
-
-	match choice.type_:
-		case MenuSelectionType.Selection: return choice.single_value
-		case MenuSelectionType.Skip: return preset
-
-	return None
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/interactions/system_conf.py b/archinstall/lib/interactions/system_conf.py
index bbcb5b23..ea7e5989 100644
--- a/archinstall/lib/interactions/system_conf.py
+++ b/archinstall/lib/interactions/system_conf.py
@@ -29,14 +29,14 @@ def select_kernel(preset: List[str] = []) -> List[str]:
 		sort=True,
 		multi=True,
 		preset_values=preset,
-		allow_reset=True,
 		allow_reset_warning_msg=warning
 	).run()
 
 	match choice.type_:
 		case MenuSelectionType.Skip: return preset
-		case MenuSelectionType.Reset: return []
-		case MenuSelectionType.Selection: return choice.value  # type: ignore
+		case MenuSelectionType.Selection: return choice.single_value
+
+	return []
 
 
 def ask_for_bootloader(preset: Bootloader) -> Bootloader:
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/locale/__init__.py b/archinstall/lib/locale/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6c32d6f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/archinstall/lib/locale/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+from .locale_menu import LocaleConfiguration
+from .locale import (
+    list_keyboard_languages, list_locales, list_x11_keyboard_languages,
+    verify_keyboard_layout, verify_x11_keyboard_layout, set_kb_layout,
+    list_timezones
+)
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/locale/locale.py b/archinstall/lib/locale/locale.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c3294e83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/archinstall/lib/locale/locale.py
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+from typing import Iterator, List
+
+from ..exceptions import ServiceException, SysCallError
+from ..general import SysCommand
+from ..output import error
+
+
+def list_keyboard_languages() -> Iterator[str]:
+	for line in SysCommand("localectl --no-pager list-keymaps", environment_vars={'SYSTEMD_COLORS': '0'}):
+		yield line.decode('UTF-8').strip()
+
+
+def list_locales() -> List[str]:
+	with open('/etc/locale.gen', 'r') as fp:
+		locales = []
+		# before the list of locales begins there's an empty line with a '#' in front
+		# so we'll collect the localels from bottom up and halt when we're donw
+		entries = fp.readlines()
+		entries.reverse()
+
+		for entry in entries:
+			text = entry.replace('#', '').strip()
+			if text == '':
+				break
+			locales.append(text)
+
+		locales.reverse()
+		return locales
+
+
+def list_x11_keyboard_languages() -> Iterator[str]:
+	for line in SysCommand("localectl --no-pager list-x11-keymap-layouts", environment_vars={'SYSTEMD_COLORS': '0'}):
+		yield line.decode('UTF-8').strip()
+
+
+def verify_keyboard_layout(layout :str) -> bool:
+	for language in list_keyboard_languages():
+		if layout.lower() == language.lower():
+			return True
+	return False
+
+
+def verify_x11_keyboard_layout(layout :str) -> bool:
+	for language in list_x11_keyboard_languages():
+		if layout.lower() == language.lower():
+			return True
+	return False
+
+
+def set_kb_layout(locale :str) -> bool:
+	if len(locale.strip()):
+		if not verify_keyboard_layout(locale):
+			error(f"Invalid keyboard locale specified: {locale}")
+			return False
+
+		try:
+			SysCommand(f'localectl set-keymap {locale}')
+		except SysCallError as err:
+			raise ServiceException(f"Unable to set locale '{locale}' for console: {err}")
+
+		return True
+
+	return False
+
+
+def list_timezones() -> Iterator[str]:
+	for line in SysCommand("timedatectl --no-pager list-timezones", environment_vars={'SYSTEMD_COLORS': '0'}):
+		yield line.decode('UTF-8').strip()
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/locale/locale_menu.py b/archinstall/lib/locale/locale_menu.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..29dd775d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/archinstall/lib/locale/locale_menu.py
@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Dict, Any, TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
+
+from .locale import set_kb_layout, list_keyboard_languages, list_locales
+from ..menu import Selector, AbstractSubMenu, MenuSelectionType, Menu
+
+if TYPE_CHECKING:
+	_: Any
+
+
+@dataclass
+class LocaleConfiguration:
+	kb_layout: str
+	sys_lang: str
+	sys_enc: str
+
+	@staticmethod
+	def default() -> 'LocaleConfiguration':
+		return LocaleConfiguration('us', 'en_US', 'UTF-8')
+
+	def json(self) -> Dict[str, str]:
+		return {
+			'kb_layout': self.kb_layout,
+			'sys_lang': self.sys_lang,
+			'sys_enc': self.sys_enc
+		}
+
+	@classmethod
+	def _load_config(cls, config: 'LocaleConfiguration', args: Dict[str, Any]) -> 'LocaleConfiguration':
+		if 'sys_lang' in args:
+			config.sys_lang = args['sys_lang']
+		if 'sys_enc' in args:
+			config.sys_enc = args['sys_enc']
+		if 'kb_layout' in args:
+			config.kb_layout = args['kb_layout']
+
+		return config
+
+	@classmethod
+	def parse_arg(cls, args: Dict[str, Any]) -> 'LocaleConfiguration':
+		default = cls.default()
+
+		if 'locale_config' in args:
+			default = cls._load_config(default, args['locale_config'])
+		else:
+			default = cls._load_config(default, args)
+
+		return default
+
+
+class LocaleMenu(AbstractSubMenu):
+	def __init__(
+		self,
+		data_store: Dict[str, Any],
+		locele_conf: LocaleConfiguration
+	):
+		self._preset = locele_conf
+		super().__init__(data_store=data_store)
+
+	def setup_selection_menu_options(self):
+		self._menu_options['keyboard-layout'] = \
+			Selector(
+				_('Keyboard layout'),
+				lambda preset: self._select_kb_layout(preset),
+				default='us',
+				enabled=True)
+		self._menu_options['sys-language'] = \
+			Selector(
+				_('Locale language'),
+				lambda preset: select_locale_lang(preset),
+				default='en_US',
+				enabled=True)
+		self._menu_options['sys-encoding'] = \
+			Selector(
+				_('Locale encoding'),
+				lambda preset: select_locale_enc(preset),
+				default='UTF-8',
+				enabled=True)
+
+	def run(self, allow_reset: bool = True) -> LocaleConfiguration:
+		super().run(allow_reset=allow_reset)
+
+		return LocaleConfiguration(
+			self._data_store['keyboard-layout'],
+			self._data_store['sys-language'],
+			self._data_store['sys-encoding']
+		)
+
+	def _select_kb_layout(self, preset: Optional[str]) -> Optional[str]:
+		kb_lang = select_kb_layout(preset)
+		if kb_lang:
+			set_kb_layout(kb_lang)
+		return kb_lang
+
+
+def select_locale_lang(preset: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[str]:
+	locales = list_locales()
+	locale_lang = set([locale.split()[0] for locale in locales])
+
+	choice = Menu(
+		_('Choose which locale language to use'),
+		list(locale_lang),
+		sort=True,
+		preset_values=preset
+	).run()
+
+	match choice.type_:
+		case MenuSelectionType.Selection: return choice.single_value
+		case MenuSelectionType.Skip: return preset
+
+	return None
+
+
+def select_locale_enc(preset: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[str]:
+	locales = list_locales()
+	locale_enc = set([locale.split()[1] for locale in locales])
+
+	choice = Menu(
+		_('Choose which locale encoding to use'),
+		list(locale_enc),
+		sort=True,
+		preset_values=preset
+	).run()
+
+	match choice.type_:
+		case MenuSelectionType.Selection: return choice.single_value
+		case MenuSelectionType.Skip: return preset
+
+	return None
+
+
+def select_kb_layout(preset: Optional[str] = None) -> Optional[str]:
+	"""
+	Asks the user to select a language
+	Usually this is combined with :ref:`archinstall.list_keyboard_languages`.
+
+	:return: The language/dictionary key of the selected language
+	:rtype: str
+	"""
+	kb_lang = list_keyboard_languages()
+	# sort alphabetically and then by length
+	sorted_kb_lang = sorted(sorted(list(kb_lang)), key=len)
+
+	choice = Menu(
+		_('Select keyboard layout'),
+		sorted_kb_lang,
+		preset_values=preset,
+		sort=False
+	).run()
+
+	match choice.type_:
+		case MenuSelectionType.Skip: return preset
+		case MenuSelectionType.Selection: return choice.single_value
+
+	return None
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/menu/abstract_menu.py b/archinstall/lib/menu/abstract_menu.py
index 2bd56374..eee99747 100644
--- a/archinstall/lib/menu/abstract_menu.py
+++ b/archinstall/lib/menu/abstract_menu.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import Callable, Any, List, Iterator, Tuple, Optional, Dict, TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from .menu import Menu, MenuSelectionType
-from ..locale import set_keyboard_language
 from ..output import error
 from ..translationhandler import TranslationHandler, Language
 
@@ -130,7 +129,7 @@ class Selector:
 		if current:
 			padding += 5
 			description = str(self._description).ljust(padding, ' ')
-			current = str(_('set: {}').format(current))
+			current = current
 		else:
 			description = self._description
 			current = ''
@@ -243,31 +242,6 @@ class AbstractMenu:
 		elif selector is not None and selector.has_selection():
 			self._data_store[selector_name] = selector.current_selection
 
-	def _missing_configs(self) -> List[str]:
-		def check(s):
-			return self._menu_options.get(s).has_selection()
-
-		def has_superuser() -> bool:
-			sel = self._menu_options['!users']
-			if sel.current_selection:
-				return any([u.sudo for u in sel.current_selection])
-			return False
-
-		mandatory_fields = dict(filter(lambda x: x[1].is_mandatory(), self._menu_options.items()))
-		missing = set()
-
-		for key, selector in mandatory_fields.items():
-			if key in ['!root-password', '!users']:
-				if not check('!root-password') and not has_superuser():
-					missing.add(
-						str(_('Either root-password or at least 1 user with sudo privileges must be specified'))
-					)
-			elif key == 'disk_config':
-				if not check('disk_config'):
-					missing.add(self._menu_options['disk_config'].description)
-
-		return list(missing)
-
 	def setup_selection_menu_options(self):
 		""" Define the menu options.
 			Menu options can be defined here in a subclass or done per program calling self.set_option()
@@ -328,9 +302,6 @@ class AbstractMenu:
 		cursor_pos = None
 
 		while True:
-			# Before continuing, set the preferred keyboard layout/language in the current terminal.
-			# 	This will just help the user with the next following questions.
-			self._set_kb_language()
 			enabled_menus = self._menus_to_enable()
 
 			padding = self._get_menu_text_padding(list(enabled_menus.values()))
@@ -425,13 +396,6 @@ class AbstractMenu:
 
 		return True
 
-	def _set_kb_language(self):
-		""" general for ArchInstall"""
-		# Before continuing, set the preferred keyboard layout/language in the current terminal.
-		# This will just help the user with the next following questions.
-		if self._data_store.get('keyboard-layout', None) and len(self._data_store['keyboard-layout']):
-			set_keyboard_language(self._data_store['keyboard-layout'])
-
 	def _verify_selection_enabled(self, selection_name: str) -> bool:
 		""" general """
 		if selection := self._menu_options.get(selection_name, None):
diff --git a/archinstall/lib/utils/util.py b/archinstall/lib/utils/util.py
index 34716f4a..8df75ab1 100644
--- a/archinstall/lib/utils/util.py
+++ b/archinstall/lib/utils/util.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Any, TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
+from typing import Any, TYPE_CHECKING, Optional, List
 
+from ..output import FormattedOutput
 from ..output import info
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -28,3 +29,23 @@ def is_subpath(first: Path, second: Path):
 		return True
 	except ValueError:
 		return False
+
+
+def format_cols(items: List[str], header: Optional[str]) -> str:
+	if header:
+		text = f'{header}:\n'
+	else:
+		text = ''
+
+	nr_items = len(items)
+	if nr_items <= 5:
+		col = 1
+	elif nr_items <= 10:
+		col = 2
+	elif nr_items <= 15:
+		col = 3
+	else:
+		col = 4
+
+	text += FormattedOutput.as_columns(items, col)
+	return text
diff --git a/archinstall/scripts/guided.py b/archinstall/scripts/guided.py
index 1aecc1cd..7f9b9fd6 100644
--- a/archinstall/scripts/guided.py
+++ b/archinstall/scripts/guided.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from typing import Any, TYPE_CHECKING
 import archinstall
 from archinstall import info, debug
 from archinstall import SysInfo
+from archinstall.lib import locale
 from archinstall.lib import disk
 from archinstall.lib.global_menu import GlobalMenu
 from archinstall.default_profiles.applications.pipewire import PipewireProfile
@@ -42,14 +43,10 @@ def ask_user_questions():
 
 	global_menu.enable('archinstall-language')
 
-	global_menu.enable('keyboard-layout')
-
 	# Set which region to download packages from during the installation
 	global_menu.enable('mirror_config')
 
-	global_menu.enable('sys-language')
-
-	global_menu.enable('sys-encoding')
+	global_menu.enable('locale_config')
 
 	global_menu.enable('disk_config', mandatory=True)
 
@@ -76,7 +73,7 @@ def ask_user_questions():
 	global_menu.enable('audio')
 
 	# Ask for preferred kernel:
-	global_menu.enable('kernels')
+	global_menu.enable('kernels', mandatory=True)
 
 	global_menu.enable('packages')
 
@@ -114,9 +111,7 @@ def perform_installation(mountpoint: Path):
 	# Retrieve list of additional repositories and set boolean values appropriately
 	enable_testing = 'testing' in archinstall.arguments.get('additional-repositories', [])
 	enable_multilib = 'multilib' in archinstall.arguments.get('additional-repositories', [])
-
-	locale = f"{archinstall.arguments.get('sys-language', 'en_US')} {archinstall.arguments.get('sys-encoding', 'UTF-8').upper()}"
-
+	locale_config: locale.LocaleConfiguration = archinstall.arguments['locale_config']
 	disk_encryption: disk.DiskEncryption = archinstall.arguments.get('disk_encryption', None)
 
 	with Installer(
@@ -147,7 +142,7 @@ def perform_installation(mountpoint: Path):
 			testing=enable_testing,
 			multilib=enable_multilib,
 			hostname=archinstall.arguments.get('hostname', 'archlinux'),
-			locales=[locale]
+			locale_config=locale_config
 		)
 
 		if mirror_config := archinstall.arguments.get('mirror_config', None):
@@ -210,7 +205,7 @@ def perform_installation(mountpoint: Path):
 
 		# This step must be after profile installs to allow profiles_bck to install language pre-requisits.
 		# After which, this step will set the language both for console and x11 if x11 was installed for instance.
-		installation.set_keyboard_language(archinstall.arguments['keyboard-layout'])
+		installation.set_keyboard_language(locale_config.kb_layout)
 
 		if profile_config := archinstall.arguments.get('profile_config', None):
 			profile_config.profile.post_install(installation)
diff --git a/archinstall/scripts/swiss.py b/archinstall/scripts/swiss.py
index 1998f073..375458a1 100644
--- a/archinstall/scripts/swiss.py
+++ b/archinstall/scripts/swiss.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from archinstall import SysInfo, info, debug
 from archinstall.lib import mirrors
 from archinstall.lib import models
 from archinstall.lib import disk
+from archinstall.lib import locale
 from archinstall.lib.networking import check_mirror_reachable
 from archinstall.lib.profile.profiles_handler import profile_handler
 from archinstall.lib import menu
@@ -92,14 +93,14 @@ class SwissMainMenu(GlobalMenu):
 		match self._execution_mode:
 			case ExecutionMode.Full | ExecutionMode.Lineal:
 				options_list = [
-					'keyboard-layout', 'mirror_config', 'disk_config',
+					'mirror_config', 'disk_config',
 					'disk_encryption', 'swap', 'bootloader', 'hostname', '!root-password',
 					'!users', 'profile_config', 'audio', 'kernels', 'packages', 'additional-repositories', 'nic',
 					'timezone', 'ntp'
 				]
 
 				if archinstall.arguments.get('advanced', False):
-					options_list.extend(['sys-language', 'sys-encoding'])
+					options_list.extend(['locale_config'])
 
 				mandatory_list = ['disk_config', 'bootloader', 'hostname']
 			case ExecutionMode.Only_HD:
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ class SwissMainMenu(GlobalMenu):
 				mandatory_list = ['disk_config']
 			case ExecutionMode.Only_OS:
 				options_list = [
-					'keyboard-layout', 'mirror_config','bootloader', 'hostname',
+					'mirror_config','bootloader', 'hostname',
 					'!root-password', '!users', 'profile_config', 'audio', 'kernels',
 					'packages', 'additional-repositories', 'nic', 'timezone', 'ntp'
 				]
@@ -115,7 +116,7 @@ class SwissMainMenu(GlobalMenu):
 				mandatory_list = ['hostname']
 
 				if archinstall.arguments.get('advanced', False):
-					options_list += ['sys-language','sys-encoding']
+					options_list += ['locale_config']
 			case ExecutionMode.Minimal:
 				pass
 			case _:
@@ -176,8 +177,7 @@ def perform_installation(mountpoint: Path, exec_mode: ExecutionMode):
 
 	enable_testing = 'testing' in archinstall.arguments.get('additional-repositories', [])
 	enable_multilib = 'multilib' in archinstall.arguments.get('additional-repositories', [])
-
-	locale = f"{archinstall.arguments.get('sys-language', 'en_US')} {archinstall.arguments.get('sys-encoding', 'UTF-8').upper()}"
+	locale_config: locale.LocaleConfiguration = archinstall.arguments['locale_config']
 
 	with Installer(
 		mountpoint,
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ def perform_installation(mountpoint: Path, exec_mode: ExecutionMode):
 				testing=enable_testing,
 				multilib=enable_multilib,
 				hostname=archinstall.arguments.get('hostname', 'archlinux'),
-				locales=[locale]
+				locale_config=locale_config
 			)
 
 			if mirror_config := archinstall.arguments.get('mirror_config', None):
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ def perform_installation(mountpoint: Path, exec_mode: ExecutionMode):
 
 			# This step must be after profile installs to allow profiles_bck to install language pre-requisits.
 			# After which, this step will set the language both for console and x11 if x11 was installed for instance.
-			installation.set_keyboard_language(archinstall.arguments['keyboard-layout'])
+			installation.set_keyboard_language(locale_config.kb_layout)
 
 			if profile_config := archinstall.arguments.get('profile_config', None):
 				profile_config.profile.post_install(installation)
diff --git a/examples/interactive_installation.py b/examples/interactive_installation.py
index 7c4ffed7..ce1a80ec 100644
--- a/examples/interactive_installation.py
+++ b/examples/interactive_installation.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ from archinstall.default_profiles.applications.pipewire import PipewireProfile
 from archinstall import disk
 from archinstall import menu
 from archinstall import models
+from archinstall import locale
 from archinstall import info, debug
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
@@ -21,14 +22,10 @@ def ask_user_questions():
 
 	global_menu.enable('archinstall-language')
 
-	global_menu.enable('keyboard-layout')
-
 	# Set which region to download packages from during the installation
 	global_menu.enable('mirror_config')
 
-	global_menu.enable('sys-language')
-
-	global_menu.enable('sys-encoding')
+	global_menu.enable('locale_config')
 
 	global_menu.enable('disk_config', mandatory=True)
 
@@ -55,7 +52,7 @@ def ask_user_questions():
 	global_menu.enable('audio')
 
 	# Ask for preferred kernel:
-	global_menu.enable('kernels')
+	global_menu.enable('kernels', mandatory=True)
 
 	global_menu.enable('packages')
 
@@ -93,9 +90,7 @@ def perform_installation(mountpoint: Path):
 	# Retrieve list of additional repositories and set boolean values appropriately
 	enable_testing = 'testing' in archinstall.arguments.get('additional-repositories', [])
 	enable_multilib = 'multilib' in archinstall.arguments.get('additional-repositories', [])
-
-	locale = f"{archinstall.arguments.get('sys-language', 'en_US')} {archinstall.arguments.get('sys-encoding', 'UTF-8').upper()}"
-
+	locale_config: locale.LocaleConfiguration = archinstall.arguments['locale_config']
 	disk_encryption: disk.DiskEncryption = archinstall.arguments.get('disk_encryption', None)
 
 	with Installer(
@@ -126,7 +121,7 @@ def perform_installation(mountpoint: Path):
 			testing=enable_testing,
 			multilib=enable_multilib,
 			hostname=archinstall.arguments.get('hostname', 'archlinux'),
-			locales=[locale]
+			locale_config=locale_config
 		)
 
 		if mirror_config := archinstall.arguments.get('mirror_config', None):
@@ -189,7 +184,7 @@ def perform_installation(mountpoint: Path):
 
 		# This step must be after profile installs to allow profiles_bck to install language pre-requisits.
 		# After which, this step will set the language both for console and x11 if x11 was installed for instance.
-		installation.set_keyboard_language(archinstall.arguments['keyboard-layout'])
+		installation.set_keyboard_language(locale_config.kb_layout)
 
 		if profile_config := archinstall.arguments.get('profile_config', None):
 			profile_config.profile.post_install(installation)