There is something uniquely satisfying about blending the raw power of a modern Wayland compositor with the aesthetic charm of the early computing era. If you miss the retro vibes but want the performance of today's tech, the JaKooLit dotfiles are exactly what you've been looking for.
Welcome back 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:
- Configure and prepare the base Arch Linux system
- Install the required dependencies for the JaKooLit configurations
- Apply JaKooLit's dotfiles configuration on the system
- Finally, boot into a JaKooLit-configured Hyprland desktop
I'm using Arch Linux as the foundation for this setup. If you haven't installed Arch yet, follow my complete manual installation guide first.
By the end of this tutorial, you will have a fully functional and uniquely nostalgic-looking Hyprland setup running on your Arch Linux system. So without further ado, let's get started!
What's Included: Flatpak, GRUB Theme & Minimal Mode
Before we dive into the terminal, here’s exactly how this article addresses the most common setup requests for JaKooLit:
- Flatpak & Screen Sharing (xdph): We'll explicitly show you which option (xdph) enables flawless Flatpak app integration and screen capture in OBS/discord. (Jump to Feature Selection)
- GRUB & SDDM Retro Theming: Getting that nostalgic boot screen is part of the installer. We cover how to ensure the wallpaper and theme apply correctly without errors. (Jump to SDDM Config)
- Minimal/Performance Setup: Want just the tiling manager without the bloat? We'll flag the "Pokemon" and "ROG" options to skip for a lean, minimal Arch experience.
⚡ TL;DR: Install JaKooLit Dotfiles on Hyprland (Arch Linux)
A quick-start guide for the JaKooLit auto‑installer, covering Flatpak support (xdph), SDDM theming, GRUB retro styling, and the essential post‑install configuration prompts.
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System preparation:
sudo pacman -Syu sudo pacman -S nano git wget curl -
Run the JaKooLit installer:
sh <(curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LinuxBeginnings/Arch-Hyprland/main/auto-install.sh) -
Navigate installer prompts:
Press ENTER at welcome screen Choose <YES> to proceed Press <OK> to add user to input group -
Feature selection (use SPACE to toggle, TAB to <OK>):
- xdph: mandatory for Flatpak app integration and screen sharing (OBS/Discord).
- sddm + sddm_theme: enables the retro SDDM login screen theming.
- Skip pokemon and rog for a minimal setup, keep dots selected.
Confirm with <YES>; enter your sudo password when asked. -
Post‑install configuration (press y/n as shown):
Keyboard layout: type y to confirm auto‑detected layout Resolution: type 1 for 1080p/lower, 2 for 1440p/higher Clock format: type n for 24h, y for 12h (AM/PM) Rainbow animation: type y to disable (high CPU usage) SDDM wallpaper: type y to apply the custom theme Additional wallpapers: type n to skip -
Reboot:
Type y when asked -
Login and essential keybinds:
Super + H Open help file Super + D Application launcher Super + Enter Terminal Super + Q Close window -
Complete the retro look with a matching GRUB theme (optional):
yay -S grub2-themes # Then configure a theme that matches the SDDM wallpaper
💡 After the reboot you'll see the custom‑themed SDDM screen. Login and enjoy JaKooLit Hyprland. For troubleshooting and full walkthrough, see the main guide.
Prerequisites
I will be using the JaKooLit Arch-Hyprland repository and applying the dotfiles configuration from it. For this setup, a minimal installation of Arch Linux is recommended. While it is possible to install these dotfiles alongside other DEs, using a minimal Arch Linux system ensures a smoother and more predictable installation experience.
To install Arch Linux, you can follow my easy guide on installing Arch Linux with the archinstall script. You can follow this guide, and install Arch Linux on your PC with an automated script.
If you want to safely test the JaKooLit Hyprland setup before installing it on your main system, you can spin it up in a virtual machine for near-native performance. Check out my step-by-step guide on setting up near-native virtual machines with QEMU and explore the setup risk-free before committing to a full installation. Once you are satisfied with the setup, you can proceed with the installation on your main system.
System Requirements
- OS: Minimal/base Arch Linux
- RAM: Minimum 4GB (8GB+ recommended for Hyprland animations)
- Storage: Minimum 25GB free space
- CPU: Any x86-64 compatible
- GPU: Any Modern GPU
- Internet: Stable connection
Step 1: Prepare Arch Linux System for JaKooLit
Before launching the JaKooLit installation script, we need to ensure the base system is solid. While the script is automated, manually handling these prerequisites ensures that AUR dependencies and network requests don't fail midway. Here is how I set up my system for a flawless install.
1.1: Global System Update
- Partial upgrades are the biggest cause of broken dependencies in Arch. Running a full sync ensures all your current libraries are compatible with the new packages we're about to install.
sudo pacman -Syu
1.2: Downloading the Toolset
- The JaKooLit installer requires specific tools to fetch and process files. Make sure these are installed and ready to go:
sudo pacman -S nano git wget curl
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) - Important Update: The developers of Jakoolit Hyprland has updated the Jakoolit installation command, please use the command below:
sh <(curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LinuxBeginnings/Arch-Hyprland/main/auto-install.sh)
- After the above command finishes 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 "Would you like to Proceed?". Use the 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 the input group.
- Press ENTER on <OK> and the installer will do it for you.
2.1: Select JaKooLit Features (Flatpak, Minimal, Theming)
- After adding your user to the input group, the installer will present all available JaKooLit features that we can install. All the features 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 the TAB key to navigate to the 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 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 installs and configures 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 (Flatpak Setup): Crucial for Flatpak apps! Installs xdg-desktop-portal-hyprland. Enable this if you use Flatpak, OBS, or Discord screen sharing. Without this, Flatpak apps won't see your screen.
- zsh: This will install Zsh + configuration (Oh-My-Zsh) and set it as the default shell. Many dotfiles expect Zsh, skipping might break them.
- pokemon: A fun aesthetic add-on for the terminal. It will basically apply colors and prompt theming in Pokemon style.
- rog: This option is specific to ASUS ROG hardware. Basically, this option is for controlling fan speed and light sensors for ROG devices.
- dots: This option is necessary to check and install because this will pull and apply the central dotfiles and configurations (keybindings, theme, config files) for Kool Hyprland.
2.2: Configuring JaKooLit Hyprland
When the installer finishes the dependencies installation, it will then start configuring 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 preferred 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 Screen 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 prefer 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 Rainbow border animation for window boxes inside Hyprland.
- It's more of a personal requirement. If you want the animation effects, then press ENTER to leave it enabled. But as the guide warned: Leaving this option enabled 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: SDDM Theme Settings for Jakoolit
- 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 ENTER to continue.
2.2.6: Reboot
- Finally, now everything is set and the installer will recommend to reboot the PC.
- Type y and press ENTER and your PC will reboot, and you will boot back into the installed JaKooLit Hyprland.
Fix "Host Not Found" Errors (DNS)
If you've ever faced "couldn't resolve host" while cloning from GitHub, it's likely a DNS issue. I always switch to a reliable nameserver before starting heavy script installations to maintain a stable connection.
- Update your resolv.conf with a faster DNS:
sudo echo "nameserver 8.8.8.8" | sudo tee /etc/resolv.conf
Fix: Flatpak Apps Not Showing in Launcher After Install
Even with xdph enabled during install, Flatpak apps sometimes don't appear in your application launcher afterward. This isn't JaKooLit-specific, it's a common Flatpak/Wayland issue where XDG_DATA_DIRS doesn't include the Flatpak export paths, so launchers like wofi/rofi can't discover the app's .desktop file.
I cover the complete fix, including how to make it permanent so it survives reboots, step by step in my dedicated Flatpak and Flathub setup guide for JaKooLit Hyprland. It also walks through the "Flathub not added" error and managing app permissions with Flatseal, in case you run into either of those too.
Step 3: Launch JaKooLit Hyprland
When your PC reboots and boots back into Arch Linux, you will be greeted by a 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 PanelHow to Uninstall JaKooLit Dotfiles
JaKooLit provides an official guided uninstall script. From inside your cloned Arch-Hyprland directory, run:
cd ~/Arch-Hyprland
./uninstall.shFollow the on-screen prompts, the script walks you through removing the installed packages and configuration in a guided manner rather than deleting everything blindly.
Frequently Asked Questions: JaKooLit Hyprland Dotfiles
Where is the JaKooLit config located?
JaKooLit's configuration files live in ~/.config/hypr/, following the standard Hyprland config location. Individual component configs (waybar, wlogout, etc.) are typically split into separate files within that same directory structure.
What shell and file manager does JaKooLit use by default?
File management is handled by Thunar if you selected that option during install. For shell, JaKooLit offers Zsh with Oh-My-Zsh as an optional install component, if skipped, your system's default shell (typically Bash) is used instead.
Should I skip the "pokemon" and "rog" options during install?
Yes, unless they apply to you. pokemon is a purely cosmetic terminal add-on with no functional purpose, skip it for a leaner install. rog installs ASUS ROG-specific laptop utilities, only relevant if you're actually on ROG hardware. Skipping both keeps your setup minimal without losing any core Hyprland functionality.
🎨 Dotfiles Installation Complete!
The JaKooLit Dotfiles are now fully installed and running on your system. Personally, these dotfiles give me nostalgic vibes of the classic Windows and Ubuntu days, providing a lightweight and minimal configuration that is excellent for performance. For more technical details, feel free to visit the official JaKooLit Arch-Hyprland repository. A big thanks to JaKooLit for creating and maintaining this setup.
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