diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index c8248bd..a418c5b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -17,9 +17,18 @@ jobs:
           python -m pip install --upgrade pip
           python -m pip install uv build
           uv sync --extra x11
-      - name: Compile
-        run: python -m py_compile src/*.py tests/*.py
-      - name: Unit tests
-        run: python -m unittest discover -s tests -p 'test_*.py'
-      - name: Build artifacts
-        run: python -m build
+      - name: Release quality checks
+        run: make release-check
+      - name: Build Debian package
+        run: make package-deb
+      - name: Build Arch package inputs
+        run: make package-arch
+      - name: Upload packaging artifacts
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: aman-artifacts
+          path: |
+            dist/*.whl
+            dist/*.tar.gz
+            dist/*.deb
+            dist/arch/PKGBUILD
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 75c9b0b..ae72627 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -4,3 +4,5 @@ __pycache__/
 *.pyc
 outputs/
 models/
+build/
+dist/
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 5284173..7c37d25 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,17 @@ All notable changes to Aman will be documented in this file.
 
 The format is based on Keep a Changelog and this project follows Semantic Versioning.
 
+## [Unreleased]
+
+### Added
+- Packaging scripts and templates for Debian (`.deb`) and Arch (`PKGBUILD` + source tarball).
+- Make targets for build/package/release-check workflows.
+- Persona and distribution policy documentation.
+
+### Changed
+- README now documents package-first installation for non-technical users.
+- Release checklist now includes packaging artifacts.
+
 ## [0.1.0] - 2026-02-26
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 2bc0610..adf873f 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
+PYTHON ?= python3
 CONFIG := $(HOME)/.config/aman/config.json
-
-.PHONY: run doctor self-check install sync test check
+DIST_DIR := $(CURDIR)/dist
+BUILD_DIR := $(CURDIR)/build
 
 RUN_ARGS := $(wordlist 2,$(words $(MAKECMDGOALS)),$(MAKECMDGOALS))
 RUN_CONFIG := $(if $(RUN_ARGS),$(abspath $(firstword $(RUN_ARGS))),$(CONFIG))
 
+.PHONY: run doctor self-check sync test check build package package-deb package-arch release-check install-local install-service install clean-dist clean-build clean
+
 ifneq ($(filter run,$(firstword $(MAKECMDGOALS))),)
 .PHONY: $(RUN_ARGS)
 $(RUN_ARGS):
@@ -24,14 +27,43 @@ sync:
 	uv sync
 
 test:
-	python3 -m unittest discover -s tests -p 'test_*.py'
+	$(PYTHON) -m unittest discover -s tests -p 'test_*.py'
 
 check:
-	python3 -m py_compile src/*.py
+	$(PYTHON) -m py_compile src/*.py
 	$(MAKE) test
 
-install:
-	uv pip install --user .
+build:
+	$(PYTHON) -m build --no-isolation
+
+package: package-deb package-arch
+
+package-deb:
+	./scripts/package_deb.sh
+
+package-arch:
+	./scripts/package_arch.sh
+
+release-check:
+	$(PYTHON) -m py_compile src/*.py tests/*.py
+	$(MAKE) test
+	$(MAKE) build
+
+install-local:
+	$(PYTHON) -m pip install --user ".[x11]"
+
+install-service:
+	mkdir -p $(HOME)/.config/systemd/user
 	cp systemd/aman.service $(HOME)/.config/systemd/user/aman.service
 	systemctl --user daemon-reload
 	systemctl --user enable --now aman
+
+install: install-local install-service
+
+clean-dist:
+	rm -rf $(DIST_DIR)
+
+clean-build:
+	rm -rf $(BUILD_DIR)
+
+clean: clean-build
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 264b1c8..95fa1a7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -3,23 +3,61 @@
 
 Python X11 STT daemon that records audio, runs Whisper, applies local AI cleanup, and injects text.
 
-## Requirements
+## Target User
+
+The canonical Aman user is a desktop professional who wants dictation and
+rewriting features without learning Python tooling.
+
+- End-user path: native OS package install.
+- Developer path: Python/uv workflows.
+
+Persona details and distribution policy are documented in
+[`docs/persona-and-distribution.md`](docs/persona-and-distribution.md).
+
+## Install (Recommended)
+
+End users do not need `uv`.
+
+### Debian/Ubuntu (`.deb`)
+
+Download a release artifact and install it:
+
+```bash
+sudo apt install ./aman_<version>_<arch>.deb
+```
+
+Then enable the user service:
+
+```bash
+systemctl --user daemon-reload
+systemctl --user enable --now aman
+```
+
+### Arch Linux
+
+Use the generated packaging inputs (`PKGBUILD` + source tarball) in `dist/arch/`
+or your own packaging pipeline.
+
+## Distribution Matrix
+
+| Channel | Audience | Status |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| Debian package (`.deb`) | End users on Ubuntu/Debian | Canonical |
+| Arch `PKGBUILD` + source tarball | Arch maintainers/power users | Supported |
+| Python wheel/sdist | Developers/integrators | Supported |
+
+## Runtime Dependencies
 
 - X11
-- `sounddevice` (PortAudio)
-- `faster-whisper`
-- `llama-cpp-python`
-- Tray icon deps: `gtk3`, `libayatana-appindicator3`
-- Python deps (core): `numpy`, `pillow`, `faster-whisper`, `llama-cpp-python`, `sounddevice`
-- X11 extras: `PyGObject`, `python-xlib`
-
-System packages (example names): `portaudio`/`libportaudio2`.
+- PortAudio runtime (`libportaudio2` or distro equivalent)
+- GTK3 and AppIndicator runtime (`gtk3`, `libayatana-appindicator3`)
+- Python GTK and X11 bindings (`python3-gi`/`python-gobject`, `python-xlib`)
 
 <details>
 <summary>Ubuntu/Debian</summary>
 
 ```bash
-sudo apt install -y portaudio19-dev libportaudio2 python3-gi gir1.2-gtk-3.0 libayatana-appindicator3-1
+sudo apt install -y libportaudio2 python3-gi python3-xlib gir1.2-gtk-3.0 libayatana-appindicator3-1
 ```
 
 </details>
@@ -28,7 +66,7 @@ sudo apt install -y portaudio19-dev libportaudio2 python3-gi gir1.2-gtk-3.0 liba
 <summary>Arch Linux</summary>
 
 ```bash
-sudo pacman -S --needed portaudio gtk3 libayatana-appindicator
+sudo pacman -S --needed portaudio gtk3 libayatana-appindicator python-gobject python-xlib
 ```
 
 </details>
@@ -37,7 +75,7 @@ sudo pacman -S --needed portaudio gtk3 libayatana-appindicator
 <summary>Fedora</summary>
 
 ```bash
-sudo dnf install -y portaudio portaudio-devel gtk3 libayatana-appindicator-gtk3
+sudo dnf install -y portaudio gtk3 libayatana-appindicator-gtk3 python3-gobject python3-xlib
 ```
 
 </details>
@@ -46,25 +84,15 @@ sudo dnf install -y portaudio portaudio-devel gtk3 libayatana-appindicator-gtk3
 <summary>openSUSE</summary>
 
 ```bash
-sudo zypper install -y portaudio portaudio-devel gtk3 libayatana-appindicator3-1
+sudo zypper install -y portaudio gtk3 libayatana-appindicator3-1 python3-gobject python3-python-xlib
 ```
 
 </details>
 
-## Python Daemon
-
-Install Python deps:
-
-X11 (supported):
-
-```bash
-uv sync --extra x11
-```
-
 ## Quickstart
 
 ```bash
-uv run aman run
+aman run
 ```
 
 On first launch, Aman opens a graphical settings window automatically.
@@ -191,15 +219,13 @@ STT hinting:
 ## systemd user service
 
 ```bash
-uv pip install --user .
-cp systemd/aman.service ~/.config/systemd/user/aman.service
-systemctl --user daemon-reload
-systemctl --user enable --now aman
+make install-service
 ```
 
 Service notes:
 
-- The user unit launches `aman` from `PATH`; ensure `~/.local/bin` is present in your user PATH.
+- The user unit launches `aman` from `PATH`.
+- Package installs should provide the `aman` command automatically.
 - Inspect failures with `systemctl --user status aman` and `journalctl --user -u aman -f`.
 
 ## Usage
@@ -228,21 +254,50 @@ AI processing:
 - Default local llama.cpp model.
 - Optional external API provider through `llm.provider=external_api`.
 
+Build and packaging (maintainers):
+
+```bash
+make build
+make package
+make package-deb
+make package-arch
+make release-check
+```
+
+`make package-deb` installs Python dependencies while creating the package.
+For offline packaging, set `AMAN_WHEELHOUSE_DIR` to a directory containing the
+required wheels.
+
 Control:
 
 ```bash
 make run
+make run config.example.json
 make doctor
 make self-check
 make check
 ```
 
-CLI (internal/support fallback, mostly for automation/tests):
+Developer setup (optional, `uv` workflow):
 
 ```bash
+uv sync --extra x11
 uv run aman run --config ~/.config/aman/config.json
-uv run aman doctor --config ~/.config/aman/config.json --json
-uv run aman self-check --config ~/.config/aman/config.json --json
-uv run aman version
-uv run aman init --config ~/.config/aman/config.json --force
+```
+
+Developer setup (optional, `pip` workflow):
+
+```bash
+make install-local
+aman run --config ~/.config/aman/config.json
+```
+
+CLI (internal/support fallback):
+
+```bash
+aman run --config ~/.config/aman/config.json
+aman doctor --config ~/.config/aman/config.json --json
+aman self-check --config ~/.config/aman/config.json --json
+aman version
+aman init --config ~/.config/aman/config.json --force
 ```
diff --git a/docs/persona-and-distribution.md b/docs/persona-and-distribution.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5cec2b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/persona-and-distribution.md
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# Aman Target Persona and Distribution Strategy
+
+## Primary Persona: Desktop Professional
+
+This is the canonical Aman user.
+
+- Uses Linux desktop daily (X11 today), mostly Ubuntu/Debian.
+- Wants fast dictation and rewriting without learning Python tooling.
+- Prefers GUI setup and tray usage over CLI.
+- Expects normal install/uninstall/update behavior from system packages.
+
+Design implications:
+
+- End-user install path must not require `uv`.
+- Runtime defaults should work with minimal input.
+- Documentation should prioritize package install first.
+
+## Secondary Persona: Power User
+
+- Comfortable with CLI, package internals, and model customization.
+- Uses advanced config, external APIs, or custom models.
+- Can run diagnostics and debug logs when needed.
+
+Design implications:
+
+- Keep Make and Python workflows available.
+- Keep explicit expert-mode knobs in settings and config.
+- Keep docs for development separate from standard install docs.
+
+## Supported Distribution Path (Current)
+
+Tiered distribution model:
+
+1. Canonical: Debian package (`.deb`) for Ubuntu/Debian users.
+2. Secondary: Arch package inputs (`PKGBUILD` + source tarball).
+3. Developer: wheel/sdist from `python -m build`.
+
+## Out of Scope for Initial Packaging
+
+- Wayland production support.
+- Flatpak/snap-first distribution.
+- Cross-platform desktop installers outside Linux.
+
+## Release and Support Policy
+
+- App versioning follows SemVer (`0.y.z` until API/UX stabilizes).
+- Config schema versioning is independent (`config_version` in config).
+- Packaging docs must always separate:
+  - End-user install path (package-first)
+  - Developer setup path (uv/pip/build workflows)
diff --git a/docs/release-checklist.md b/docs/release-checklist.md
index f66d068..da22570 100644
--- a/docs/release-checklist.md
+++ b/docs/release-checklist.md
@@ -2,11 +2,16 @@
 
 1. Update `CHANGELOG.md` with final release notes.
 2. Bump `project.version` in `pyproject.toml`.
-3. Run:
-   - `python3 -m py_compile src/*.py tests/*.py`
-   - `python3 -m unittest discover -s tests -p 'test_*.py'`
-4. Build artifacts:
-   - `python3 -m build`
-5. Tag release:
+3. Run quality and build gates:
+   - `make release-check`
+4. Build packaging artifacts:
+   - `make package`
+5. Verify artifacts:
+   - `dist/*.whl`
+   - `dist/*.tar.gz`
+   - `dist/*.deb`
+   - `dist/arch/PKGBUILD`
+6. Tag release:
    - `git tag vX.Y.Z`
    - `git push origin vX.Y.Z`
+7. Publish release and upload package artifacts from `dist/`.
diff --git a/packaging/arch/PKGBUILD.in b/packaging/arch/PKGBUILD.in
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8fc7e86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/arch/PKGBUILD.in
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+# Maintainer: Aman Maintainers <maintainers@example.com>
+pkgname=aman
+pkgver=__VERSION__
+pkgrel=1
+pkgdesc="Local amanuensis daemon for X11 desktops"
+arch=('x86_64')
+url="https://github.com/example/aman"
+license=('MIT')
+depends=('python' 'python-pip' 'python-setuptools' 'portaudio' 'gtk3' 'libayatana-appindicator' 'python-gobject' 'python-xlib')
+makedepends=('python-build' 'python-installer' 'python-wheel')
+source=("__TARBALL_NAME__")
+sha256sums=('__TARBALL_SHA256__')
+
+prepare() {
+  cd "${srcdir}/aman-${pkgver}"
+  python -m build --wheel
+}
+
+package() {
+  cd "${srcdir}/aman-${pkgver}"
+  install -dm755 "${pkgdir}/opt/aman"
+  python -m venv --system-site-packages "${pkgdir}/opt/aman/venv"
+  "${pkgdir}/opt/aman/venv/bin/python" -m pip install --upgrade pip
+  "${pkgdir}/opt/aman/venv/bin/python" -m pip install "dist/aman-${pkgver}-"*.whl
+
+  install -Dm755 /dev/stdin "${pkgdir}/usr/bin/aman" <<'EOF'
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+exec /opt/aman/venv/bin/aman "$@"
+EOF
+
+  install -Dm644 "systemd/aman.service" "${pkgdir}/usr/lib/systemd/user/aman.service"
+}
diff --git a/packaging/deb/control.in b/packaging/deb/control.in
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..74a906d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/deb/control.in
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+Package: __PACKAGE_NAME__
+Version: __VERSION__
+Section: utils
+Priority: optional
+Architecture: __ARCH__
+Maintainer: Aman Maintainers <maintainers@example.com>
+Depends: python3, python3-venv, python3-gi, python3-xlib, libportaudio2, gir1.2-gtk-3.0, libayatana-appindicator3-1
+Description: Aman local amanuensis daemon for X11 desktops
+ Aman records microphone input, transcribes speech, optionally rewrites output,
+ and injects text into the focused desktop app. Includes tray controls and a
+ first-run graphical settings UI.
diff --git a/packaging/deb/postinst b/packaging/deb/postinst
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..4094fb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/deb/postinst
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+set -eu
+
+cat <<'EOF'
+Aman installed.
+
+To enable auto-start for your user session:
+  systemctl --user daemon-reload
+  systemctl --user enable --now aman
+EOF
diff --git a/scripts/package_arch.sh b/scripts/package_arch.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9e2349e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/package_arch.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+ROOT_DIR="$(cd "${SCRIPT_DIR}/.." && pwd)"
+source "${SCRIPT_DIR}/package_common.sh"
+
+require_command git
+require_command sha256sum
+
+VERSION="$(project_version)"
+PACKAGE_NAME="$(project_name)"
+ARCH_DIST_DIR="${DIST_DIR}/arch"
+TARBALL_NAME="${PACKAGE_NAME}-${VERSION}.tar.gz"
+TARBALL_PATH="${ARCH_DIST_DIR}/${TARBALL_NAME}"
+PKGBUILD_PATH="${ARCH_DIST_DIR}/PKGBUILD"
+
+mkdir -p "${ARCH_DIST_DIR}"
+
+git -C "${ROOT_DIR}" archive \
+  --format=tar.gz \
+  --prefix="${PACKAGE_NAME}-${VERSION}/" \
+  HEAD \
+  > "${TARBALL_PATH}"
+
+TARBALL_SHA256="$(sha256sum "${TARBALL_PATH}" | awk '{print $1}')"
+
+render_template \
+  "${ROOT_DIR}/packaging/arch/PKGBUILD.in" \
+  "${PKGBUILD_PATH}" \
+  "VERSION=${VERSION}" \
+  "TARBALL_NAME=${TARBALL_NAME}" \
+  "TARBALL_SHA256=${TARBALL_SHA256}"
+
+echo "generated ${PKGBUILD_PATH}"
+echo "generated ${TARBALL_PATH}"
+
+if [[ "${BUILD_ARCH_PACKAGE:-0}" == "1" ]]; then
+  require_command makepkg
+  (
+    cd "${ARCH_DIST_DIR}"
+    makepkg -f
+  )
+fi
diff --git a/scripts/package_common.sh b/scripts/package_common.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..57b1a59
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/package_common.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+ROOT_DIR="$(cd "${SCRIPT_DIR}/.." && pwd)"
+DIST_DIR="${ROOT_DIR}/dist"
+BUILD_DIR="${ROOT_DIR}/build"
+APP_NAME="aman"
+
+mkdir -p "${DIST_DIR}" "${BUILD_DIR}"
+
+require_command() {
+  local cmd="$1"
+  if command -v "${cmd}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    return
+  fi
+  echo "missing required command: ${cmd}" >&2
+  exit 1
+}
+
+project_version() {
+  require_command python3
+  python3 - <<'PY'
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+
+text = Path("pyproject.toml").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+match = re.search(r'(?m)^version\s*=\s*"([^"]+)"\s*$', text)
+if not match:
+    raise SystemExit("project version not found in pyproject.toml")
+print(match.group(1))
+PY
+}
+
+project_name() {
+  require_command python3
+  python3 - <<'PY'
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+
+text = Path("pyproject.toml").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+match = re.search(r'(?m)^name\s*=\s*"([^"]+)"\s*$', text)
+if not match:
+    raise SystemExit("project name not found in pyproject.toml")
+print(match.group(1))
+PY
+}
+
+build_wheel() {
+  require_command python3
+  python3 -m build --wheel --no-isolation
+}
+
+latest_wheel_path() {
+  require_command python3
+  python3 - <<'PY'
+from pathlib import Path
+import re
+
+text = Path("pyproject.toml").read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+name_match = re.search(r'(?m)^name\s*=\s*"([^"]+)"\s*$', text)
+version_match = re.search(r'(?m)^version\s*=\s*"([^"]+)"\s*$', text)
+if not name_match or not version_match:
+    raise SystemExit("project metadata not found in pyproject.toml")
+name = name_match.group(1).replace("-", "_")
+version = version_match.group(1)
+candidates = sorted(Path("dist").glob(f"{name}-{version}-*.whl"))
+if not candidates:
+    raise SystemExit("no wheel artifact found in dist/")
+print(candidates[-1])
+PY
+}
+
+render_template() {
+  local template_path="$1"
+  local output_path="$2"
+  shift 2
+  cp "${template_path}" "${output_path}"
+  for mapping in "$@"; do
+    local key="${mapping%%=*}"
+    local value="${mapping#*=}"
+    sed -i "s|__${key}__|${value}|g" "${output_path}"
+  done
+}
diff --git a/scripts/package_deb.sh b/scripts/package_deb.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..3ed7f33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/package_deb.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+ROOT_DIR="$(cd "${SCRIPT_DIR}/.." && pwd)"
+source "${SCRIPT_DIR}/package_common.sh"
+
+require_command dpkg-deb
+require_command python3
+
+VERSION="$(project_version)"
+PACKAGE_NAME="$(project_name)"
+ARCH="${DEB_ARCH:-}"
+if [[ -z "${ARCH}" ]]; then
+  if command -v dpkg >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    ARCH="$(dpkg --print-architecture)"
+  else
+    ARCH="amd64"
+  fi
+fi
+
+build_wheel
+WHEEL_PATH="$(latest_wheel_path)"
+
+STAGE_DIR="${BUILD_DIR}/deb/${PACKAGE_NAME}_${VERSION}_${ARCH}"
+PACKAGE_BASENAME="${PACKAGE_NAME}_${VERSION}_${ARCH}"
+DEB_PATH="${DIST_DIR}/${PACKAGE_BASENAME}.deb"
+VENV_DIR="${STAGE_DIR}/opt/${PACKAGE_NAME}/venv"
+PIP_ARGS=()
+if [[ -n "${AMAN_WHEELHOUSE_DIR:-}" ]]; then
+  PIP_ARGS+=(--no-index --find-links "${AMAN_WHEELHOUSE_DIR}")
+fi
+
+rm -rf "${STAGE_DIR}"
+mkdir -p "${STAGE_DIR}/DEBIAN"
+mkdir -p "${STAGE_DIR}/usr/bin"
+mkdir -p "${STAGE_DIR}/usr/lib/systemd/user"
+mkdir -p "${STAGE_DIR}/opt/${PACKAGE_NAME}"
+
+render_template \
+  "${ROOT_DIR}/packaging/deb/control.in" \
+  "${STAGE_DIR}/DEBIAN/control" \
+  "PACKAGE_NAME=${PACKAGE_NAME}" \
+  "VERSION=${VERSION}" \
+  "ARCH=${ARCH}"
+
+cp "${ROOT_DIR}/packaging/deb/postinst" "${STAGE_DIR}/DEBIAN/postinst"
+chmod 0755 "${STAGE_DIR}/DEBIAN/postinst"
+
+python3 -m venv --system-site-packages "${VENV_DIR}"
+"${VENV_DIR}/bin/python" -m pip install "${PIP_ARGS[@]}" "${WHEEL_PATH}"
+
+cat >"${STAGE_DIR}/usr/bin/${PACKAGE_NAME}" <<EOF
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+exec /opt/${PACKAGE_NAME}/venv/bin/${PACKAGE_NAME} "\$@"
+EOF
+chmod 0755 "${STAGE_DIR}/usr/bin/${PACKAGE_NAME}"
+
+cp "${ROOT_DIR}/systemd/aman.service" "${STAGE_DIR}/usr/lib/systemd/user/aman.service"
+
+rm -f "${DEB_PATH}"
+dpkg-deb --build --root-owner-group "${STAGE_DIR}" "${DEB_PATH}"
+echo "built ${DEB_PATH}"