Hey guys! Ready to dive into the world of Arch Linux with the sleek and customizable Hyprland compositor? This guide will walk you through the entire process, step by step, ensuring you have a smooth and successful installation. We'll cover everything from preparing your installation medium to configuring Hyprland to your liking. Let's get started!

Preparing the Installation Medium

First things first, you'll need to download the Arch Linux ISO image. Head over to the Arch Linux website and grab the latest ISO. Once you've downloaded the ISO, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive. There are several tools you can use for this, such as Rufus (for Windows), Etcher (cross-platform), or dd (for Linux).

• Rufus: If you're on Windows, Rufus is a simple and effective option. Just select the ISO image and your USB drive, and Rufus will take care of the rest.
• Etcher: Etcher is a cross-platform tool that's available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It's user-friendly and makes the process of creating a bootable USB drive a breeze.
• dd: If you're already running Linux, you can use the dd command to create the bootable USB drive. Be careful when using dd, as it can overwrite your hard drive if you specify the wrong device. The command would look something like this: sudo dd bs=4M if=/path/to/archlinux.iso of=/dev/sdX status=progress oflag=sync, replacing /path/to/archlinux.iso with the actual path to your downloaded ISO and /dev/sdX with the device name of your USB drive (e.g., /dev/sdb). Make sure you identify the correct device!

Once you've created the bootable USB drive, reboot your computer and boot from the USB drive. You may need to adjust your BIOS settings to change the boot order. Now you're ready to begin the Arch Linux installation process. This is a crucial step, and having a reliable bootable medium ensures a smooth start to installing Arch Linux with Hyprland.

Basic System Configuration

Once you've booted into the Arch Linux environment, you'll be greeted with a command prompt. Before we start installing the base system, let's configure the keyboard layout. Use the command loadkeys <layout>, replacing <layout> with your desired keyboard layout (e.g., loadkeys us for the US layout). Next, verify that you are connected to the internet by running ping archlinux.org. If the ping is successful, you're good to go. If not, you may need to configure your network connection manually.

For wired connections, it usually connects automatically. If you are on WiFi, you will need to use iwctl to connect. First, type iwctl to enter the iwctl interface, then use device list to list available network interfaces. Use station <interface> scan to scan for available networks. Then, use station <interface> connect <SSID> to connect to your WiFi network, replacing <interface> with the name of your wireless interface and <SSID> with the name of your WiFi network. You will be prompted for the password. After connecting, exit iwctl with the exit command.

Now, let's update the system clock using timedatectl set-ntp true. This ensures that your system time is accurate. Next, we need to partition the disk. Use fdisk /dev/sda (replace /dev/sda with your actual disk device). Create at least two partitions: one for the root directory (/) and one for swap. You might also want to create a separate partition for /home. Remember to set the bootable flag on the root partition. After partitioning, format the partitions using mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdaX for the root partition and mkswap /dev/sdaY for the swap partition (replace X and Y with the correct partition numbers). Enable the swap partition using swapon /dev/sdaY. Mount the root partition to /mnt using mount /dev/sdaX /mnt. If you created a separate /home partition, mount it to /mnt/home.

With the partitions prepared and mounted, you're ready to install the base Arch Linux system. This step forms the foundation upon which Hyprland and all other components will reside, so make sure each command is executed correctly and verified before proceeding. This meticulous configuration ensures a stable and functional system ready for customization.

Installing the Base System

Now comes the exciting part: installing the base Arch Linux system! Use the command pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware nano vim dhcpcd. This command installs the base packages, the Linux kernel, firmware, a text editor (nano and vim), and a DHCP client. Once the installation is complete, generate the fstab file using genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab. This file is essential for mounting the partitions at boot time. Make sure to check /mnt/etc/fstab to ensure that the partitions are mounted correctly. A correctly configured fstab ensures that your system knows where to find its filesystems each time it boots.

Next, arch-chroot /mnt to enter the newly installed system. Now, set the timezone using ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/<Region>/<City> /etc/localtime, replacing <Region> and <City> with your appropriate region and city (e.g., ln -sf /usr/share/zoneinfo/America/New_York /etc/localtime). Configure the locale by editing /etc/locale.gen and uncommenting your desired locale (e.g., en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8). Then, generate the locale using locale-gen. Set the LANG variable in /etc/locale.conf by adding LANG=en_US.UTF-8 (or your chosen locale). Set the hostname by creating /etc/hostname and adding your desired hostname (e.g., myarchbox). Finally, enable networking by running systemctl enable dhcpcd.service.

Set the root password using passwd. Add a new user with useradd -m -G wheel <username> (replace <username> with your desired username). Set the password for the new user using passwd <username>. Enable sudo for the wheel group by uncommenting %wheel ALL=(ALL) ALL in /etc/sudoers (use visudo to edit this file safely). Finally, install the bootloader. For UEFI systems, install efibootmgr and grub. Mount the EFI system partition (ESP) to /boot/efi (create the directory if it doesn't exist). Install Grub with grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot/efi --bootloader-id=GRUB. Generate the Grub configuration file using grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg. For BIOS systems, install Grub to the MBR using grub-install /dev/sda. Generate the Grub configuration file using grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg. Exit the chroot environment using exit and reboot the system using reboot.

Installing Hyprland and Dependencies

After rebooting, log in as your user. First, install the necessary packages for Hyprland. Use the command sudo pacman -Syu git base-devel mesa xorg-server xorg-xinit kitty. This command installs Git, base development tools, Mesa drivers, the Xorg server, Xorg init files, and the Kitty terminal emulator. Then, install Hyprland and its dependencies using sudo pacman -S hyprland. You'll also want to install xdg-desktop-portal and xdg-desktop-portal-hyprland for better compatibility with applications. Install a display manager like sddm with sudo pacman -S sddm and enable it using sudo systemctl enable sddm.

Create the Hyprland configuration directory if it doesn't exist: mkdir -p ~/.config/hypr/. Create the main Hyprland configuration file: nano ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf. Here’s a basic Hyprland configuration to get you started:

# See https://wiki.hyprland.org/Configuring/Monitors/ for more information
monitor=,preferred,auto,auto

# See https://wiki.hyprland.org/Configuring/Keywords/ for more information
input {
    kb_layout = us
    kb_variant = 
    kb_model = 
    kb_options = 
    kb_rules =

    follow_mouse = 1

    touchpad {
        natural_scroll = no
    }

    sensitivity = 0 # -1.0 - 1.0, more is more sensitive
}


misc {
    force_default_wallpaper = 0 # Set to 0 to disable the built-in wallpaper
}

# Some useful env variables.
env = XDG_DESKTOP_PORTAL,hyprland
env = XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP,Hyprland
env = XDG_SESSION_TYPE,wayland

# For all categories, see https://wiki.hyprland.org/Configuring/Variables/



# Example window rules
# For more information on window rules, see https://wiki.hyprland.org/Configuring/Window-Rules/
#windowrule = float, ^(kitty)$
#windowrule = size 500 500, ^(kitty)$
#windowrule = move 100 100, ^(kitty)$


# See https://wiki.hyprland.org/Configuring/Binds/ for more information
$mainMod = SUPER

# Example binds, see https://wiki.hyprland.org/Configuring/Binds/
bind = $mainMod, Q, exec, kitty
bind = $mainMod, C, killactive, 
bind = $mainMod, M, exit, 
bind = $mainMod, E, exec, nautilus
bind = $mainMod, V, togglefloating, 
bind = $mainMod, R, exec, wofi --show drun
bind = $mainMod, P, pseudo, # dwindle
bind = $mainMod, J, togglesplit, # dwindle

# Move focus with mainMod + arrow keys
bind = $mainMod, left, movefocus, l
bind = $mainMod, right, movefocus, r
bind = $mainMod, up, movefocus, u
bind = $mainMod, down, movefocus, d

# Switch workspaces with mainMod + [0-9]
bind = $mainMod, 1, workspace, 1
bind = $mainMod, 2, workspace, 2
bind = $mainMod, 3, workspace, 3
bind = $mainMod, 4, workspace, 4
bind = $mainMod, 5, workspace, 5
bind = $mainMod, 6, workspace, 6
bind = $mainMod, 7, workspace, 7
bind = $mainMod, 8, workspace, 8
bind = $mainMod, 9, workspace, 9
bind = $mainMod, 0, workspace, 10

# Move active window to a workspace with mainMod + SHIFT + [0-9]
bind = $mainMod SHIFT, 1, movetoworkspace, 1
bind = $mainMod SHIFT, 2, movetoworkspace, 2
bind = $mainMod SHIFT, 3, movetoworkspace, 3
bind = $mainMod SHIFT, 4, movetoworkspace, 4
bind = $mainMod SHIFT, 5, movetoworkspace, 5
bind = $mainMod SHIFT, 6, movetoworkspace, 6
bind = $mainMod SHIFT, 7, movetoworkspace, 7
bind = $mainMod SHIFT, 8, movetoworkspace, 8
bind = $mainMod SHIFT, 9, movetoworkspace, 9
bind = $mainMod SHIFT, 0, movetoworkspace, 10

# Scroll through existing workspaces with mainMod + scroll
bind = $mainMod, mouse_down, workspace, e+1
bind = $mainMod, mouse_up, workspace, e-1

# Move/resize windows with mainMod + LMB/RMB and dragging
bindm = $mainMod, mouse:272, movewindow
bindm = $mainMod, mouse:273, resizewindow

This is a basic configuration that opens Kitty with SUPER + Q, kills a window with SUPER + C, exits Hyprland with SUPER + M, opens Nautilus with SUPER + E, toggles floating mode with SUPER + V, and opens Wofi with SUPER + R. Feel free to customize this configuration to your liking. You can find more information about Hyprland configuration options on the Hyprland wiki. After configuring Hyprland, reboot your system to start using Hyprland. This step finalizes the integration of Hyprland into your system, providing a visually appealing and highly customizable desktop environment.

Customizing Hyprland

Now that you have Hyprland up and running, it's time to customize it to your liking. Hyprland is highly customizable, allowing you to tweak almost every aspect of the desktop environment. Here are some common customizations:

• Themes: Hyprland uses a configuration file to define its appearance. You can change the colors, fonts, and other visual elements by editing the hyprland.conf file. There are also many pre-made themes available online that you can use as a starting point.
• Keybindings: Hyprland allows you to define custom keybindings for almost any action. You can use the bind command in the hyprland.conf file to define keybindings. For example, you can bind a key combination to launch a specific application or to switch to a different workspace.
• Plugins: Hyprland supports plugins, which can add new features and functionality to the compositor. There are many plugins available, such as a plugin for displaying system information on the screen or a plugin for controlling the volume.
• Autostart: You can configure Hyprland to automatically start applications when it starts up. Create a script in ~/.config/hypr/ and make it executable. Then, add the script to the hyprland.conf file using the exec-once command.

Hyprland's configuration is incredibly flexible, allowing you to tailor the environment to your specific workflow and preferences. By exploring the configuration options and available plugins, you can create a truly unique and efficient desktop experience. The possibilities are endless, so dive in and start experimenting!

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, here are some common troubleshooting tips:

• No Internet Connection: Double-check your network configuration. If you're using WiFi, make sure you've connected to the network using iwctl. If you're using a wired connection, make sure the cable is plugged in and that DHCP is enabled.
• Bootloader Issues: If you're having trouble booting into Arch Linux, make sure you've installed the bootloader correctly. For UEFI systems, make sure the EFI system partition is mounted to /boot/efi and that you've generated the Grub configuration file. For BIOS systems, make sure you've installed Grub to the MBR.
• Hyprland Not Starting: If Hyprland is not starting, check the Hyprland logs for any error messages. The logs are located in ~/.local/share/hyprland/Hyprland.log. Also, make sure you've installed all the necessary dependencies.
• Graphical Issues: If you're experiencing graphical issues, make sure you have the correct drivers installed for your graphics card. You may need to install additional packages, such as xf86-video-intel for Intel graphics cards or xf86-video-amdgpu for AMD graphics cards.

By following these troubleshooting tips and consulting the Arch Linux and Hyprland wikis, you can resolve most issues that may arise during the installation process. Remember, the Arch Linux community is a valuable resource, so don't hesitate to seek help from other users if you get stuck. With a little persistence, you'll be able to overcome any challenges and enjoy a fully functional Arch Linux system with Hyprland.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've successfully installed Arch Linux with Hyprland. This guide should provide you with a solid foundation for further customization and exploration. Remember to consult the Arch Linux and Hyprland wikis for more information and advanced configuration options. Enjoy your new, sleek, and highly customizable desktop environment! Happy tweaking, and welcome to the world of Arch Linux and Hyprland!