Hyprland is becoming one of the most discussed window managers in the Linux ecosystem. And why not? Hyprland is fast, fully customizable, and lets you experiment and see the results on the spot. But here's the catch: Hyprland comes minimal out of the box, and customizing every pixel on your desktop without intermediate knowledge can lead to frustration. To save the day, we have Hyprland dotfiles, preconfigured setups where you just run a single command, reboot, and experience full features without doing anything manually.
The problem is choosing between them. Each set of Hyprland dotfiles has a different character, a different aesthetic, and a different user base. After personally installing and testing all six major Hyprland dotfiles setups on Linux, this article will help you decide which one you should pick for your Linux system by comparing and visualizing each option.
This comparison is part of the MusaBase Hyprland series. Each dotfiles setup below links to a dedicated installation guide with step-by-step instructions and screenshots.
| Dotfiles | Best For | Complexity | Themes | Active Development |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HyDE | Try new look everyday | Low | 70+ | Very Active |
| JaKooLit | Customizers, feature-rich | Medium | Multiple | Active |
| ML4W | Beginners, clean workflow | Low | Several | Active |
| End 4 | Wants to try modern UI | High | Material You | Active |
| Caelestia | Minimalists, aesthetics | Medium | Curated minimal | Active |
| Omarchy | Developers, focused workflow | Low (ISO) | Curated minimal | Active |
| Caelestia KDE | KDE Plasma users (not Hyprland) | Medium | Curated minimal | Active |
| End 4 KDE | KDE Plasma users (not Hyprland) | Medium | Material You | Early release |
Not sure which to pick? Read the full breakdown below, then use the installation guides linked in each section.
HyDE Hyprland Dotfiles
HyDE is the most visually stunning Hyprland dotfiles setup on the internet. The name HyDE could be an abbreviation of "Hyprland Desktop Environment" as one of the collaborators said in the notes. But it's still unknown because the original developer isn't working on the HyDE project anymore and the collaborator doesn't officially know him. It is pronounced more like "hide" (/haɪd/), or at least this is how I pronounce it. But I don't know, English is not my first language.
Why HyDE Dotfiles
HyDE comes with over 70+ (official, non-official, and custom) pre-built themes, making it the only Hyprland dotfiles setup to have this many characteristics. We can change our entire desktop's aesthetics and character with a single command (SUPER + SHIFT + T), including wallpaper, blur effect, glass effects, animations, notifications, and much more. My favorite one is Edge Runner; it gives the feel of Cyberpunk 2077 and that futuristic world that we see in the game. HyDE dotfiles use an automated installer that handles dependencies and fonts, but also gives us the option to choose whether we want zsh or fish, AUR or chaotic AUR, vanilla SDDM or themed SDDM. It even changes the style of GRUB.
Who Should Pick HyDE Dotfiles
HyDE dotfiles are the right choice if you want everything almost pre-built, whether it's desktop customization, themes, application menus without spending days setting up everything yourself and just want to use and experience the full suite of what Hyprland can do. If you have a specific aesthetic for your desktop, chances are HyDE's theme library already has it. You just have to select and apply it.
Who Should Skip HyDE Dotfiles
If you are planning to use HyDE Dotfiles on older or legacy hardware like 10+ year old laptops with old GPUs, the animations and effects of HyDE will not be very smooth. This is especially true for the blur effects and pop-up animations. You would have to disable them. As some users reported on Reddit communities, older GPUs make the effects janky or even lag sometimes.
Quick Stats for HyDE Dotfiles
- 🐱 GitHub Stars: 8.8k+
- 🕞 Installation Time: ~25-40 minutes (due to feature choices)
- 💾 Storage: With minimal Arch Linux distro 20GB
- ⚒️ Requires AUR: Yes
- 🖥️ Wayland Native: Yes
- 🎟 GPU Support: For NVIDIA, requires nvidia-dkms package, on AMD runs great.
🔗 HyDE Dotfiles Installation Guide: Learn How to Install HyDE Dotfiles on Linux
JaKooLit Hyprland Dotfiles
JaKooLit Hyprland Dotfiles is not just a set of dotfiles. It has so much variety in terms of customizations, which is built by its large community. By large community I mean you can also see the essence of ML4W and End 4 styling and customization in JaKooLit dotfiles.
Why JaKooLit Dotfiles
JaKooLit offers more flexibility in terms of installation and customization compared to any other Hyprland dotfiles. The auto installer automatically detects which Linux distro we are on and installs everything automatically. JaKooLit also provides the options at the very first screen of installing xdph for OBS or Discord screen sharing and flatpak setups, which we have to manually install and configure on other dotfiles. For me the aesthetic and theming choice of JaKooLit is next level, especially the retro vibes it gives. That alone makes the JaKooLit Hyprland stand out.
Who Should Pick JaKooLit Hyprland
Pick JaKooLit Hyprland dotfiles if you love customizing your desktop in depth. Because these dotfiles are community-driven, you will get a huge set of customizations pre-built. Whether you want to change the look of the waybar or application menu, your terminal fonts or terminal look, wallpaper, and not just wallpaper, you can also apply filters like vignette, oil paint, or polarized on your current wallpaper. These are the customizations inside your system when you log in. The same goes for customizing the login manager (SDDM). Plus it also lets you tweak the customization scripts and configuration files by providing development tools and utilities out of the box.
Who Should Skip JaKooLit Hyprland
If you don't like tweaking everything and choosing a separate theme for everything on your desktop screen, then JaKooLit Hyprland is going to be more of an overkill for you. Because JaKooLit Hyprland provides styling for everything, plus everything is set on keybinds, this can become overwhelming for you. If that's the case, ML4W or Caelestia might be a better choice.
Quick Stats for JaKooLit Hyprland
- 🐱 GitHub Stars: 4.4k+
- 🕞 Installation Time: ~15-40 minutes (due to feature choices)
- 💾 Storage: With minimal Arch Linux distro 20.1GB
- ⚒️ Requires AUR: Yes
- 🖥️ Wayland Native: Yes
- 🎟 GPU Support: Runs great on both NVIDIA and AMD.
🔗 Arch JaKooLit Hyprland Installation Guide: JaKooLit Hyprland Setup on Arch Linux
🔗 NixOS JaKooLit Hyprland Installation Guide: JaKooLit Hyprland Setup on NixOS
🛠️ Having Flatpak issues after installing JaKooLit? See my Flatpak and Flathub Setup Guide for JaKooLit Hyprland.
(My Linux for Work) ML4W Hyprland
My Linux for Work or simply ML4W is the go-to Hyprland dotfiles for any beginner who is looking to experience a simplistic yet polished version of Hyprland on Linux. And that's because ML4W dotfiles focuses on a stable, productive, and smooth environment.
Why ML4W Hyprland
ML4W dotfiles is lightweight as compared to any other Hyprland dotfiles in the list. Plus it also installs quickly than other dotfiles. And that's because ML4W Hyprland doesn't rely on heavy scripts to execute its features. The transitions of animations, theme changing, and wallpaper changing are smooth, and performance is also great for even older machines. The aesthetics of ML4W are modern yet minimalist. The best feature ML4W dotfiles has is changing the color scheme of your desktop based on your current wallpaper.
Who Should Pick ML4W Hyprland
Pick ML4W dotfiles if you are new to Hyprland or if you are looking for minimalism for your desktop. ML4W will give you both. For beginners, it will not be heavy on scripts and keybindings, everything can be controlled through GUI. And for a minimalist, ML4W Hyprland keep everything simple and clean. For me, ML4W feels close to Windows in terms of how I can simply click and open anything on my desktop. ML4W also works best for professionals who are looking for a stable daily driver for productivity without any noise. If you also want to learn how Hyprland actually works, the documentation for ML4W dotfiles is well structured. You can open its config files and really learn from it.
Who Should Skip ML4W Hyprland
If you want to try new things every day with your desktop, then ML4W Hyprland might not be the right pick for you. Sure, you can also tweak the configuration files and rice your own configuration on top of ML4W, but implementing your own logic without prior knowledge on top of already well-configured dotfiles might break your system. Plus, ML4W can also feel like a traditional desktop environment like GNOME or KDE Plasma, which often eliminates the feel of a tiling manager.
Quick Stats for ML4W Hyprland
- 🐱 GitHub Stars: 4.6k+
- 🕞 Installation Time: ~20 minutes max
- 💾 Storage: With minimal Arch Linux distro 8.8GB
- ⚒️ Requires AUR: Yes
- 🖥️ Wayland Native: Yes
- 🎟 GPU Support: Runs great on AMD, for NVIDIA the drivers instructions are available at Hyprland Wiki.
🔗 ML4W Hyprland Installation Guide for Arch Linux: ML4W Hyprland Installation on Arch Linux
🔗 ML4W Hyprland Installation Guide for NixOS: ML4W Hyprland Installation on NixOS
End 4 Hyprland Dotfiles
End 4 is the most cutting edge Hyprland dotfiles available for Linux. It pushes the boundaries of what a tiling window manager can look and feel like. Being cutting edge, its UI feels more like modern handheld devices like Samsung's One UI or Oneplus's OxygenOS, but within the Linux desktop ecosystem (even though Android is also Linux).
Why End 4 Hyprland
End 4 dotfiles integrates AI widget directly into the bar, which also includes calendar events, current market trends, weather summaries plus anything you want to add to the bar. End 4 dotfiles uses Google's Material You color extraction plugin which helps in themeing the whole desktop based on your wallpaper. The animations on this one are unique, instead of poping or fading animations End 4 uses modern slide animations with a twist. The overall features are cutting edge and new this uniquness makes End 4 dotfiles stand out.
Who Should Pick End 4 Dotfiles
If you are looking for futuristic, tech-active theming and customization, then End 4 dotfiles is the right choice for you. It's also great for users who use AI agents or AI models locally on their system. But it also covers the weeb vibes for anime lovers. End 4 covers almost every cultural element inside it. Plus the features End 4 dotfiles offers, like apps with live previews, screen translation, Google Lens and more, make it unique in its own way.
Who Should Skip End 4 Dotfiles
If you want to use Hyprland for tweaking or beautifying your desktop without needing features that you won't need like AI, weather forecasting, system monitoring, etc, then End 4 might not be that appealing for you. Your experience might not be that great because of End 4's heavy resource usage features. And sometimes End 4 dotfiles can also look similar to Android UI.
Quick Stats for End 4 Hyprland
- 🐱 GitHub Stars: 14k+
- 🕞 Installation Time: ~20-35 minutes (compiling included)
- 💾 Storage: With minimal Arch Linux distro 15.7GB
- ⚒️ Requires AUR: Yes
- 🖥️ Wayland Native: Yes
- 🎟 GPU Support: Runs great on both AMD and NVIDIA.
🔗 End 4 Hyprland Installation Guide: End 4 Hyprland Dotfiles Installation on Linux
Caelestia Shell Dotfiles
Caelestia Shell is another modern Hyprland dotfile with sleek animations, curated theming, and a clean desktop setup. It is much like End 4 but the minimalist version of End 4. It has a distinct, cohesive visual identity that is best on its own.
Why Caelestia Dotfiles
Caelestia replaces the standard Waybar with Quickshell, offering a shell-like interface with animated side panels, system dashboards, and integrated widgets. It follows a Material You design approach similar to End 4, pulling theme colors from the active wallpaper. The key difference is execution: End 4 layers AI widgets and experimental features on top of that foundation, while Caelestia focuses on a cleaner, more self-contained implementation of the same visual language.
Who Should Pick Caelestia Dotfiles
If you are looking for a modern bleeding edge Hyprland setup for your Linux desktop, or if you like End 4 dotfiles but without all the resource heavy features, then Caelestia Hyprland is best for you. I personally use Caelestia Shell for my Hyprland setup because it comes in between, being not too traditional and not too modern. It's just the balanced Hyprland dotfile. Its UI becomes familiar like a tablet UI but with more character. It's also for power users because of its dashboard with all the necessary information about the system that slides down when you hover your mouse to the top.
Who Should Skip Caelestia Dotfiles
Caelestia idles near 1.5GB RAM and relies on heavy animations so older hardware will struggle. The shell uses bleeding edge -git packages that occasionally break during updates. Customizing Quickshell modules is not as straightforward as editing a Waybar config. If you are new to Linux and still learning the command line, ML4W is a safer place to start.
Quick Stats for Caelestia Shell Hyprland
- 🐱 GitHub Stars: 9k+
- 🕞 Installation Time: ~30-50 minutes (compiling included)
- 💾 Storage: With minimal Arch Linux distro 11.9GB
- ⚒️ Requires AUR: Yes
- 🖥️ Wayland Native: Yes
- 🎟 GPU Support: Runs great on both AMD and NVIDIA.
🔗 For Caelestia Installation on Arch Linux Guide Follow: Caelestia Dotfiles for Hyprland (Arch Linux)
🔗 Caelestia Dotfiles Manual Installation Guide: How to Manually Install Caelestia Dotfiles on Hyprland (Arch Linux)
🔗 Caelestia Dotfiles on NixOS: How to Install Caelestia Hyprland Dotfiles on NixOS (2026)
Caelestia KDE: The Non-Hyprland Alternative
If you want Caelestia's Material You aesthetic without switching to Hyprland at all, Caelestia-KDE by developer ladybug-me is a full KDE Plasma port of the same shell. It's not one of the six Hyprland dotfiles above, it runs entirely on KWin instead, but it's built by the same community around the same design language, so it belongs in this conversation.
Why Caelestia KDE
Caelestia-KDE runs the same Quickshell-based bar, launcher, dynamic color engine, and Nexus settings app as the original, just on top of KDE Plasma's window manager instead of Hyprland. You keep KDE's panels, widgets, and stability, while Caelestia replaces the default shell experience entirely.
Who Should Pick Caelestia KDE
If you already rely on KDE Plasma and don't want to learn a tiling compositor just for the aesthetic, this is exactly for you. It's also a good fit if you tried Hyprland dotfiles before and missed KDE's traditional window management, floating windows, familiar settings, existing workflows, while still wanting the Material You look.
Who Should Skip Caelestia KDE
The installer compiles Quickshell from source, expect 1 to 2 hours depending on your hardware and connection. If you specifically want the tiling window management and keyboard-driven workflow of Hyprland itself, not just the visual style, pick one of the six dotfiles above instead.
Quick Stats for Caelestia KDE
- 🐱 GitHub Stars: 800+ and counting
- 🕞 Installation Time: 1–2 hours (compiling Quickshell from source)
- 💾 Storage: 15GB+ free space required
- 🖥️ Wayland Native: Yes, requires KDE Plasma 6 on Wayland
- 🧩 Base Requirement: KDE Plasma already installed, no Hyprland needed
🔗 For Caelestia KDE Installation on Arch Linux Guide Follow: Caelestia KDE Dots on Arch Linux
End 4 KDE (End-4dots-KDE): The Non-Hyprland Version
If you want End 4's Material You look and AI widgets without switching to Hyprland at all, End-4dots-KDE by developer ladybug-me is a KDE Plasma port of End 4's dotfiles. It's not one of the six Hyprland dotfiles above, it runs on KWin instead, but it comes from the same developer who ported Caelestia to KDE, so it belongs in this conversation.
Why End 4 KDE
End-4dots-KDE brings End 4's Quickshell-based bar, launcher and widgets, Material Design 3 theming, anime-style aesthetics and AI integration (Gemini, Ollama and other backends) to KDE Plasma 6. The installer also offers optional Polonium tiling, a KWin script that adds automatic window tiling, so you can get a tiling feel without leaving Plasma's floating windows and familiar settings behind.
Who Should Pick End 4 KDE
If you already use KDE Plasma and like End 4's futuristic, Android-like style but don't want to learn a tiling compositor, this is exactly for you. It also suits you if you want to try tiling gently, since Polonium is optional and you can say no to it during the install.
Who Should Skip End 4 KDE
The installer is an early release, it replaces many of your existing config folders (fish, kitty, kdeglobals, quickshell and others) after backing them up, and it has no uninstall option, so take a backup or a snapshot first. Expect about an hour of install time because it compiles Quickshell from source. If you specifically want Hyprland's tiling and keyboard-driven workflow, pick one of the Hyprland dotfiles above instead.
Quick Stats for End 4 KDE
- 🐱 GitHub Stars: 120+
- 🕞 Installation Time: ~1 hour (55 minutes on my PC, compiling Quickshell from source)
- 💾 Storage: 30GB+ free space (Arch Linux and End 4 KDE files)
- ⚒️ Requires AUR: Yes (the installer sets up an AUR helper, usually yay)
- 🧩 Base Requirement: KDE Plasma 6.0 or newer already installed, it runs on KWin instead of Hyprland
- 🪟 Tiling: Optional, through the Polonium KWin script
🔗 For End 4 KDE Installation on Arch Linux Guide Follow: How to Install End 4 KDE Dots (End-4dots-KDE) on Arch Linux
Omarchy OS
Omarchy OS is different from every other setup on this page. The six dotfiles above are configurations you install on top of an existing Arch Linux system. Omarchy is not a dotfiles setup. It is a complete, standalone operating system. DHH (David Heinemeier Hansson), the creator of Ruby on Rails, built it as an opinionated, developer-focused Hyprland system where every decision has already been made for you. The result is a keyboard-driven, distraction-free environment that goes from ISO to working desktop in under ten minutes. I switched to it after six months on Caelestia and after three weeks it has become my daily OS.
Why Omarchy OS
What makes Omarchy genuinely different is the philosophy behind it. Every other Hyprland setup on this page gives you tools and lets you decide how to use them. Omarchy makes the decisions for you and expects you to adapt to its workflow rather than adapt itself to yours. The keyboard-centric approach, the pre-configured applications, the Limine bootloader, the btrfs filesystem with LUKS encryption, none of that is negotiable. It either fits your working style or it does not. For developers and power users who want a focused environment without spending days on configuration, it fits very well. DHH also built Omakub which is the Ubuntu version of the same idea, so if you are on Ubuntu and like what Omarchy is doing, Omakub is worth looking at too.
Who Should Pick Omarchy OS
Omarchy is the right choice if you want a complete Hyprland experience without configuring anything yourself. It ships with everything already set up: Steam, RetroArch, Heroic, Lutris for gaming, a full development environment, and a curated set of applications for daily use. The learning curve is not about configuration, it is about adapting to the keyboard-driven workflow, which takes about two to three weeks to feel natural. After that it is one of the most productive Linux setups I have used. It is also worth picking if you want disk encryption without having to configure LUKS yourself, since the installer handles the entire encrypted btrfs setup automatically.
Who Should Skip Omarchy OS
Skip Omarchy if you want to keep Windows or another OS on the same drive without any risk. By default the ISO installer erases the drive you select, and on a fully partitioned disk it has no option to install alongside an existing system. Omarchy 4.0 added an install into free space, but it is offered only when the selected disk already has unallocated space, and it never shrinks or resizes an existing partition, so you have to free that space yourself before booting the ISO. I have not tested dual boot on Omarchy 4.x, and one open bug report against 4.0.2 describes a free-space install with no UEFI boot entry and no Windows entry in limine.conf, so back up first, or give Omarchy its own physical drive. The manual guide linked below covers Omarchy 3.x only and does not apply to 4.x.
Quick Stats for Omarchy OS
- 👤 Created by: DHH (David Heinemeier Hansson)
- 🐱 GitHub Stars: 23k+
- 🕞 Installation Time: ~10 minutes (ISO method, full automated)
- 💾 Storage: 20GB minimum. The ISO erases the selected drive by default, and 4.x can instead install into unallocated free space if you create it first.
- 🔒 Encryption: LUKS full disk encryption set up automatically by installer
- 📁 Filesystem: btrfs with subpartitions for root
- 🥾 Bootloader: Limine (faster and more modern than GRUB)
- ⚒️ Requires AUR: Yes
- 🖥️ Wayland Native: Yes
- 🎟 GPU Support: Runs great on AMD, NVIDIA works but requires additional driver steps post-install.
- 🎮 Gaming Ready: Ships with Steam, Lutris, Heroic, and RetroArch pre-installed.
🔗 Omarchy ISO Installation Guide: How to Install Omarchy OS: The Arch Linux Hyprland OS by DHH
🔗 Omarchy 3.x Manual Installation Guide (does not apply to 4.x): How to Install Omarchy OS Manually on a Separate Partition (Omarchy 3.x)
Which Hyprland Dotfiles Should You Actually Choose?
All Six setups deliver a working Hyprland desktop. The right one depends on what you value more: immediate visual variety, deep customization, or system stability.
- If you want a huge theme library and a one-command desktop switch: Pick HyDE. It offers over 70 themes and handles everything from GRUB to SDDM automatically. Skip it if you are on legacy hardware where blur effects cause lag.
- If you love tweaking every detail and want a community-driven toolkit: Pick JaKooLit. It gives you granular control over Waybar, terminal fonts, and even wallpaper filters. It is overkill if you prefer a simple, set-and-forget environment.
- If you are new to Hyprland or want a lightweight daily driver for work: Pick ML4W. It is the most resource-friendly (8.8GB storage) and offers a GUI-driven, Windows-like workflow. Skip it if you want to rice your desktop extensively or experiment with cutting-edge UI.
- If you want AI widgets, market trends, and a futuristic Android-like interface: Pick End 4. It integrates Google Lens, live previews, and Material You. Avoid it if you dislike heavy resource usage or prefer a traditional tiling manager feel.
- If you want a modern shell with Quickshell animations but less bloat than End 4: Pick Caelestia. It offers a balanced, tablet-like UI with a clean dashboard. Skip it if you have limited RAM (idles near 1.5GB) or want to avoid -git package breakage.
- If you want a complete, opinionated Hyprland system that requires zero configuration: Try Omarchy. It is not a dotfiles setup, it is a full operating system. Boot the ISO, answer seven questions, and you have a production-ready Hyprland system in under ten minutes. Skip it if you need to keep another OS on the same drive, because the ISO erases the selected drive unless the disk already has free unallocated space.
Not set on Hyprland specifically? If you just want the Material You look and don't care about tiling window management, KDE Plasma can carry it: Caelestia KDE gets you Caelestia's aesthetic and End 4 KDE gets you End 4's, both on top of KDE Plasma instead, no compositor swap required.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hyprland Dotfiles
HyDE vs ML4W: Which Should I Choose?
HyDE wins if you want variety, over 70 pre-built themes you can swap with a single keybind, but its animations can feel janky on older hardware. ML4W wins if you want stability and simplicity, it is the most lightweight option in this list (8.8GB storage), installs fastest, and is controlled largely through a GUI rather than scripts. Pick HyDE for constant visual variety, pick ML4W for a clean, beginner-friendly daily driver.
HyDE vs End 4: What's the Difference?
The core difference is philosophy. HyDE focuses on breadth, a massive library of 70+ themes you can switch between instantly. End 4 focuses on depth, a single cutting-edge, Android-like interface with AI widgets, Material You theming, and live previews built in. HyDE is lighter and easier to run on modest hardware; End 4 demands more resources but delivers a more futuristic, tech-forward experience out of the box.
End 4 vs Caelestia: what's the actual difference?
Both are built on the same Material You visual language and use Quickshell instead of Waybar, but the execution differs. End 4 layers on AI widgets, screen translation, and experimental features on top of that foundation, plus it's the heavier of the two on resources. Caelestia is the cleaner, more self-contained take on the same idea, no AI features, less resource overhead, more curated. If you like End 4's aesthetic but don't need the AI extras, Caelestia is the better fit.
Does Caelestia support KDE Plasma?
Not officially, Caelestia is built specifically for Hyprland and uses Quickshell instead of a traditional panel like Waybar. But there's a community port called Caelestia-KDE that brings the same Material You aesthetic to KDE Plasma. I've covered the full install process in How to Install Caelestia KDE Dots on Arch Linux, if you want the look without leaving KDE.
Is Caelestia KDE one of the six Hyprland dotfiles compared here?
No, it's included because it shares the same design language and community, but it runs on KWin, not Hyprland. If you want an actual Hyprland desktop, pick one of the six setups in the comparison table above. If you specifically want to stay on KDE Plasma, Caelestia KDE is the one relevant option here.
Does End 4 support KDE Plasma?
End 4's own dotfiles are built for Hyprland, but there's a community port called End-4dots-KDE by ladybug-me that brings End 4's Quickshell-based shell, Material Design 3 theming and AI integration to KDE Plasma 6, running on KWin instead of Hyprland. The installer also offers optional Polonium tiling. I've covered the full install process in How to Install End 4 KDE Dots (End-4dots-KDE) on Arch Linux, and the short version is in the End 4 KDE section above.
Caelestia KDE vs End 4 KDE: which should I pick?
Both are KDE Plasma ports by ladybug-me, and both run on KWin instead of Hyprland, so neither needs a Hyprland session. Caelestia KDE brings the cleaner, more self-contained Caelestia shell, including its Nexus settings app. End 4 KDE brings End 4's design, with AI integration for Gemini, Ollama and other backends, anime-style aesthetics and an optional Polonium tiling plugin. Both installers compile Quickshell from source, so expect an hour or more, and End 4 KDE's installer also replaces many existing config folders after backing them up. Pick Caelestia KDE for the cleaner look, and End 4 KDE if you want End 4's AI widgets and extras on Plasma.
ML4W vs Omarchy: which should I pick?
These solve different problems. ML4W is dotfiles you install on top of your existing Arch system, GUI-driven, lightweight, and beginner-friendly, you keep full control over your base install. Omarchy is a complete, opinionated OS rather than a set of dotfiles. The ISO installer erases the drive you select by default. Omarchy 4.0 added an install into free space, but it is offered only when the disk already has unallocated space and it never shrinks an existing partition, so dual boot means preparing that space first, and I have not tested it on 4.x. Pick ML4W if you want a clean Hyprland look without leaving your current dotfiles-based workflow. Pick Omarchy if you want zero configuration, don't mind adapting to its opinions, and can give it its own drive or free space.
ML4W vs JaKooLit: Which Is More Beginner-Friendly?
ML4W is the more beginner-friendly choice. It is GUI-driven, lightweight, and does not rely on heavy scripting or keybind-based customization, so new users can control most settings through simple menus. JaKooLit is community-driven and offers deeper customization, but nearly everything is tied to keybinds and manual configuration, which can feel overwhelming if you are still learning Hyprland.
What are the best Hyprland dotfiles for themes?
HyDE has by far the largest theme library of any Hyprland dotfiles setup, switchable with a single keybind (SUPER + SHIFT + T), covering wallpaper, color scheme, bar style, notifications, and SDDM all at once. End 4 and Caelestia take a different approach, using Google's Material You to generate a theme dynamically from your wallpaper instead of switching between presets. If you want to browse and pick from many pre-built looks, choose HyDE. If you want your desktop to auto-theme itself based on whatever wallpaper you're using, choose End 4 or Caelestia.
What is the best Hyprland shell: Waybar or Quickshell?
HyDE, JaKooLit, and ML4W all use the traditional Waybar for the status bar, offering wide theming support and a large existing community. Caelestia and End 4 instead use Quickshell, which replaces the standard bar with animated side panels and interactive dashboards. If you want a conventional, widely-documented setup, choose a Waybar-based option. If you want a modern, shell-like interface with sliding panels, choose a Quickshell one: Caelestia is the cleaner pick with fewer heavy features, while End 4 adds AI widgets and more.
Can I switch between dotfiles setups after installing one?
Yes, but it requires manual cleanup. Each setup installs its own config files, themes, and dependencies into ~/.config. Switching means removing the old setup's folders or using a separate user account. The cleanest way is testing in a VM before committing to one on your main Linux system.
Do these dotfiles work on NVIDIA GPUs?
Support varies. HyDE requires the nvidia-dkms package for proper functionality. JaKooLit, End 4, and Caelestia generally run well on both NVIDIA and AMD. ML4W recommends following the official Hyprland Wiki for NVIDIA drivers. For the smoothest experience, AMD GPUs remain the most consistent across all six setups.
What is the difference between Hyprland and other tiling managers like i3 or Sway?
i3 runs on the older X11 display server. Sway is Wayland-native but focuses on strict i3 compatibility. Hyprland is Wayland-native and distinguishes itself with modern features like blur effects, smooth animations, and extensive customization. If visual polish and dynamic desktop effects matter to you, Hyprland has a clear advantage.
Do I need Arch Linux specifically for these dotfiles?
All six setups are developed and tested primarily on Arch Linux. JaKooLit includes an auto-installer that detects your Linux distribution and adjusts accordingly, making it the most cross-distro friendly. For the most reliable experience on other distributions, Arch remains the reference environment used in all guides on this site.
How do I set up Flatpak on JaKooLit Hyprland specifically?
During JaKooLit installation, the script prompts you to install xdph and configure Flatpak automatically. Select yes at the Flatpak prompt and the installer handles the setup. If you missed this during installation, the JaKooLit GitHub repository includes a post-install script that adds Flatpak support without requiring a full reinstall. Full instructions are in the dedicated JaKooLit installation guide.
What are the Flatpak setup issues with Hyprland dotfiles?
Flatpak apps run in sandboxed environments and often fail to inherit your system theme, resulting in mismatched fonts or missing icons. JaKooLit specifically addresses this by offering a dedicated Flatpak setup option during installation. For other setups, the fix usually involves overriding permissions with flatpak override --filesystem=~/.themes.
What are the best alternatives to Caelestia?
The closest alternative is End 4, which uses the same Material You approach and Quickshell but adds AI widgets and heavier features. If you would rather pick from ready-made looks, HyDE has the biggest theme library, and if you want the simplest option, ML4W is GUI-driven and lightweight. For a full Hyprland system with nothing to configure, there is Omarchy. All of these are tested on this page. Other Quickshell-based shells exist, for example Noctalia, but I have not tested them, so I can't recommend them here.
What are the best alternatives to ML4W?
If you want more themes, HyDE has the largest library, though its blur and animations can lag on older hardware. If you want deep customization, JaKooLit gives you granular control over Waybar, terminal fonts, and wallpaper filters. If you want a modern animated shell, Caelestia and End 4 use Quickshell instead of Waybar. For a complete system with nothing to configure, Omarchy works, but its ISO installer erases the drive you select unless the disk already has free unallocated space.
Omarchy vs Caelestia: which should I pick?
They solve different problems. Omarchy is a complete, opinionated Hyprland system by DHH: you boot the ISO, answer a few questions, and everything is already set up, including gaming apps and a development environment, but the ISO installer erases the drive you select unless the disk already has free unallocated space. Caelestia is a dotfiles-and-shell setup you install on top of your own Arch system, with Quickshell panels and Material You colors pulled from your wallpaper. Pick Omarchy for zero configuration, and Caelestia if you want to build on your own Arch install.
Where can I download Hyprland dotfiles and theme packs?
Hyprland dotfiles are not downloaded as theme packs from a store. Each project is installed from its own GitHub repository with an installer, and its themes come with the install. HyDE ships the biggest library of ready-made themes, switchable with one keybind, while End 4 and Caelestia generate colors from your wallpaper instead. The install guide for each one is linked in its section above.
✨ Ready to Transform Your Desktop?
You have seen all six Hyprland dotfiles compared and tested. Now it is time to pick the one that matches your style and follow the dedicated installation guide. Each guide walks you through every step, from installing dependencies to first boot, with screenshots along the way.
If this comparison helped you decide, stay tuned to MusaBase for more Linux customization and tiling window manager guides.
101 out, I'll see you in the next one! 🚀