The Ultimate Retro Hyprland Configuration on Arch Linux: JaKooLit
archlinux dotfiles Guide Hyprland Installation Linux Walkthrough
Hi all, welcome to MusaBase! In today's guide, I'll walk you through installing the JaKooLit configurations on top of Hyprland on an Arch Linux system. For me personally, this is the most retro-style set of dotfiles I've ever used, and i can't get enough of the nostalgia! In this comprehensive guide, we'll learn how to:
- Configuring and preparing the base Arch Linux system
- Installing required dependencies for the JaKooLit configurations
- Applying Kool's dotfiles configuration on the system
- And finally, booting into JaKooLit configured Hyprland desktop
By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully functional and uniquely nostalgic-looking Hyprland setup on your Arch Linux system. So without further ado, let's get started!
Prerequisites
I will be using this JaKooLit Arch-Hyprland repo and applying the dotfiles configuration from this repo. For this setup we need a minimal Arch Linux installed, though we can also install it along with other DE but for simplicity and smooth installation, i recommend installing this dotfiles on a minimal Arch Linux system. For Arch Linux installation please visit my easy to Install Arch Linux with archinstall guide or for more technical approach go to this Manual Arch Linux Installation guide. Follow any one guide you like, both are comprehensive and easy to follow. Install minimal Arch Linux without any Desktop enviornment and then continue from this JaKooLit Hyprland guide.
Step 1: Prepare Arch Linux System for JaKooLit
Before installing the JakooLit dotfiles, we need to perform a few essential tasks, such as:
- Setting up Nameservers
- Updating Arch Linux System
- Installing Yay
- Installing required dependencies for Kool's script to compile and integrate its dotfiles
These steps are not essentialy needed, but from my personal experienc, performing a full system update, or install a few required packages beforehand makes the JaKooLit installation process much smoother and simpler.
1.1: ADD DNS Server / Nameservers
Adding DNS Servers is my personal preference. I faced many "couldn't resolve host" errors while cloning github repos. But after adding nameservers this issue was fixed. If you face the same problem conside performing this step.
- To add nameservers, run the following command:
sudo echo -e "nameserver 8.8.8.8\nameserver 1.1.1.1" | sudo tee /etc/resolv.conf
1.2: Run a full System Update
Running a full system update before installing any package ensures that all dependencies are properly satisfied without conflict. It also helps in preventing partial-upgrade problems, which often lead to mismatched dependencies.
- Run:
sudo pacman -Syu
1.3: Install Essential Dependencies
Next, we are going to install some necessary dependencies to clone JaKooLit repo and its installer script to install itself without interruption.
- Run:
sudo pacman -S nano git wget curl
1.4: Install Yay
Yay is an AUR helper for Arch Linux that acts as a wrapper for the default Pacman package manager. Many of the dependencies that JaKooLits auto installer is going to install are AUR packages. Though the Kool's installer script will install yay automatically when it detect its not installed already. But to save time and to make the JaKooLit dotfiles install with single command, i highly recommend installing yay now.
- To install yay, run the following commands executively:
cd ~
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
cd yay
makepkg -si
Step 2: Install JakooLit Dotfiles
Now, that everything is set we can install the JaKooLit dotfiles with a single command:
sh <(curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JaKooLit/Arch-Hyprland/main/auto-install.sh)
- After the above command finished cloning, it will auto start the install script given in the repo and you would have a similar screen:
- Press ENTER or SPACE to continue.
- On the next prompt the installer will ask to "Would you like to Proceed?". Use TAB key and choose <YES> and press ENTER to continue.
How to Navigate JaKooLit Installer Interface
- JaKooLit offers a minimalist, text-based installer interface that lets us configure and deploy its dotfiles entirely via keyboard.
- Press TAB to shift focus among actionable buttons like <OK>, <EXIT>, or <CONTINUE>.
- Use SPACE to toggle selections within multi-choice lists or checkboxes.
- Move through your options with the Up and Down arrow keys to highlight your preferred choice.
- If you haven't added your user to the Input Group the installer will ask for adding your user to input group.
- Press ENTER on <OK> and the installer will do it for you.
2.1: Select JaKooLit Features
- After adding your user to the input group, the installer will prompt the JaKooLit's all available fetures that we can install. All the features that are presented in the dialog box are not necessary, we don't need all features because some of the provided options are best suited for laptops or devices like ROG, but they are there for a full JaKooLit experience.
- Select the options you like with the SPACE key.
- After selecting the options press TAB key to navigate to bottom options and select <OK> and press ENTER to continue.
- On the next screen the installer will ask for confirmation of choices. Press ENTER on <YES> and the installer will start installing the JaKooLit's dotfiles.
Purpose of each Feature
- input_groups: This adds the user to some elevated group (e.g., input, wheel, etc). If the user is not added into this group, then some keybinds or input functions may not work.
- sddm: This option will install & enable the SDDM, the login manager.
- sddm_theme: This option will download and apply the pre-configured JaKooLit theme for SDDM with wallpaper, fonts and icons.
- gtk_themes: Installs GTK themes to support light/dark switching and consistent theming in GTK apps..
- bluetooth: This install and configure Bluetooth support for bluetooth devices.
- thunar: Installs the Thunar file manager (XFCE file manager) and related plugins.
- quickshell: Installs a toolkit for building desktop shells on Linux for extra UI elements and customization.
- xdph: This installs the xdg-desktop-portal-hyprland for screenshot, screen sharing compatibility. If you are going to use Flatpak or do screen sharing then enable this option.
- zsh: This will install the Zsh + configuration (Oh-My-Zsh) and set it as a default shell Many dotfiles expect Zsh, skipping might break them.
- pokemon: A fun aesthetic add-on for terminal. It will basically apply colors and prompt theming in Pokemon stlye.
- rog: This option is specific for ASUS ROG hardware. Basically this option is for controlling fan speed, light sensors for ROG devices.
- dots: This option is necessary to check and install, becuase this will pull and apply the central dotfiles and configurations (keybindings, theme, config files) for Kool Hyprland.
- The installer will take time to install all required dependencies according to the options you selected above.
- It will also ask for your user's password from time to time, so when prompted enter your password.
2.2: Configuring JakooLit Hyprland
- When the installer finshes the dependencies installation, it will then start the configuration of the installed system to give the best experience.
2.2.1: Configure Keyboard-Layout
- After the installation is complete, the installer will ask for your preffered Keyboard-layout. By default it will extract the layout from your Arch Linux settings and autofill the layout prompt with your default one. (e.g., us, fr, etc).
- If your keyboard-layout is correct then type y and press ENTER to continue.
2.2.2: Configure Resolution
- Next, the installer will ask for resolution configuration. By default JaKooLit dots are configured for 1440p / 2k resolution.
- If your resolution is 1080p or lower then type 1 and press ENTER.
- If your resolution is 1440p or higher then type 2 and press ENTER.
2.2.3: Set Clock Format
- Next, the installer will ask for setting the clock format. By default the clock format is set as 24 Hour format.
- If you prefere the 24 hour format, then type n and press ENTER to continue.
- If you want to change it to 12 Hour (AM / PM) format, then type y and press ENTER to continue.
2.2.4: Rainbow Animation
- Next, we have the option to enable or disable the Ranibow border animation for windows boxes inside Hyprland.
- Its more of a personal requirement, if you want the animation effects, then press ENTER to leave it enable. But as the guide warned: Leaving this option enable will consume High CPU and Memory resources.
- If you want to disable the animation effect, then type y and press ENTER to continue.
2.2.5: Wallpaper
- Next, the installer will ask to change the styles and wallpaper of SDDM.
- Simply, just type y and press ENTER to continue.
- After configuring the SDDM, the installer will ask to download more wallpapers for shuffling them on the lock screen and desktop screen.
- Simply type n and press ENETR to continue.
2.2.5: Reboot
- Finally, now everything is set and the installer will recommend to reboot the PC.
- Type y and press ENTER and the your PC will reboot and you will boot back into installed JaKooLit Hyprland.
Step 3: Launch JaKooLit Hyprland
When your PC reboot and boot back into Arch Linux, you will be greeted by custom themed SDDM screen:
- Enter your password and you are in:
Keybinds for Basic Functions
Super + H Launch Hint / Help File
Super + D Launch application launcher
Super + SHIFT + E KooL Hyprland Settings
Super + Enter Launch terminal emulator
Super + Q Close active / focused window
Super + Shift + Q Close window
CTRL + ALT + Del Kill Hyprland session
CTRL + ALT + P Launch Logout Menu
Super + SPACEBAR Toggle single window float
Super + Alt + SPACEBAR Toggle all window float
Super + G Toggle the window between group
Super + SHIFT + F Toggle the window focus
CTRL + ALT + L Launch lock screen
Super + E Launch file manager
Super + SHIFT + N Launch Notification PanelAfterwards
The JaKooLit Dotfiles are now fully installed and running. Personally, these dotfiles give me nostalgic vibes of old Windows and Ubuntu days. They are a lightweight and minimal configuration set, which is excellent for performance. For more information about these dotfiles, please visit the official JaKooLit Arch-Hyprland repository, and a big thanks to JaKooLit for creating them.
With that being said, if you hit any error or face any issue following my explained step, please let me know in the comments. I'll be more than happy to help.
This is it, 1O1 out, I'll see you in the next one!