The Ultimate Retro Hyprland Configuration on Arch Linux: JaKooLit
dotfiles Hyprland
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
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!
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 . If you prefer a more hands-on and technical approach, check out my manual Arch Linux installation guide . You can follow either guide, as both are comprehensive and easy to follow.
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 -Syu1.2: 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)
- 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
- 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: This installs the xdg-desktop-portal-hyprland for screenshot and screen sharing compatibility. If you are going to use Flatpak or do screen sharing then enable this option.
- 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.
- 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 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 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: 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 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.confStep 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 Panel🎨 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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