diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index dcda2146c..20e940689 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -76,6 +76,22 @@ Currently only a 64-bit version is available.
 The Linux version does not currently automatically update so you will need to
 repeat these steps to upgrade to future releases.
 
+### Archive extraction
+
+An archive is available for people who don't want to install `atom` as root.
+
+This version enables you to install multiple Atom versions in parallel. It has been built on Ubuntu 64-bit,
+but should be compatible with other Linux distributions.
+
+1. Install dependencies (on Ubuntu): `sudo apt install git gconf2 gconf-service libgtk2.0-0 libudev1 libgcrypt20
+libnotify4 libxtst6 libnss3 python gvfs-bin xdg-utils libcap2`
+2. Download `atom-amd64.tar.gz` from the [Atom releases page](https://github.com/atom/atom/releases/latest).
+3. Run `tar xf atom-amd64.tar.gz` in the directory where you want to extract the Atom folder.
+4. Launch Atom using the installed `atom` command from the newly extracted directory.
+
+The Linux version does not currently automatically update so you will need to
+repeat these steps to upgrade to future releases.
+
 ## Building
 
 * [Linux](docs/build-instructions/linux.md)
diff --git a/docs/build-instructions/linux.md b/docs/build-instructions/linux.md
index c6a9e74eb..99b9b5afc 100644
--- a/docs/build-instructions/linux.md
+++ b/docs/build-instructions/linux.md
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ If you have problems with permissions don't forget to prefix with `sudo`
 
   To use the newly installed Atom, quit and restart all running Atom instances.
 
-5. *Optionally*, you may generate distributable packages of Atom at `out`. Currently, `.deb` and `.rpm` package types are supported. To create a `.deb` package run:
+5. *Optionally*, you may generate distributable packages of Atom at `out`. Currently, `.deb` and `.rpm` package types are supported, as well as a `tar gz` archive. To create a `.deb` package run:
 
   ```sh
   script/grunt mkdeb
@@ -86,6 +86,12 @@ If you have problems with permissions don't forget to prefix with `sudo`
   script/grunt mkrpm
   ```
 
+  To create a `.tar.gz` package run
+
+  ```sh
+  script/grunt mktar
+  ```
+
 ## Advanced Options
 
 ### Custom build directory