Hyprland

Hyprland is a dynamic wayland compositor which provides autotiling and beautiful animations out of the box.

Environment variables

This part will be very short, but I first need to set some environment variables.

env = XCURSOR_SIZE,24
env = SDL_VIDEODRIVER,wayland

Hardware configuration

The first configuration I want to set is my keyboard and touchpad configuration. My keyboard uses the AFNOR standard for the bépo layout, and I do not use the caps lock key which is replaced by the control key.

input {
    kb_layout = fr
    kb_variant = bepo_afnor
    kb_model =
    kb_options = caps:ctrl_modifier
    kb_rules =

    follow_mouse = 1

    touchpad {
        natural_scroll = false
    }

    sensitivity = 0 # -1.0 - 1.0, 0 means no modification.
}

We can then set the monitors used. If HDMI-A-1 is not found when Hyprland launches, it will simply ignore it. And at worst, I can use wdisplays to manually set the position of my screens.

Monitor name	Resolution	Refresh rate (Hz)	Position
HDMI-A-1	2560x1080		0x0
eDP-1	1920x1080	120	2560x0

This translates into the following configuration:

monitor = HDMI-A-1, 2560x1080, 0x0, 1
monitor = eDP-1, 1920x1080@120, 2560x0, 1

Visual configuration

Now, onto the visual configuration. I like my gaps, and I feel keeping my windows relatively tight together but with a greater gap around them looks nice. I also like the Nord palette which I use here for my window border colours. Active windows get a gradient from nord9 to nord14, while inactive windows get a nord3 border. Lastly, I use the dwindle layout as I find it nicer to use than the master layout.

general {
    gaps_in = 5
    gaps_out = 20
    border_size = 2
    col.active_border = rgb(81a1c1) rgb(a3be8c) 45deg
    col.inactive_border = rgb(4c566a)
    layout = dwindle
}

I may one day use the layout_center layout from pyprland, but I haven’t got around to do that yet.

This section is specific to touchpads, but I like to use it to switch between workspaces quickly. Note that I only want to swipe between existing workspaces, not to create new ones.

gestures {
    workspace_swipe = true
    workspace_swipe_numbered = true
}

Decorations are just a nice thing to make things look pretty. I like some slight rounding on my windows with a nice though light shadow. Again, the colour comes from the Nord palette with nord0.

decoration {
    rounding = 5
    blur {
        enabled = true
        size = 9
        passes = 1
    }
    drop_shadow = true
    shadow_range = 4
    shadow_render_power = 3
    col.shadow = rgba(2e3440aa)
}

Animations are fun! I mostly kept the default animations from the example config of Hyprland.

animations {
    enabled = true
    bezier = myBezier, 0.05, 0.9, 0.1, 1.05
    animation = windows, 1, 7, myBezier
    animation = windowsOut, 1, 7, default, popin 80%
    animation = border, 1, 10, default
    animation = borderangle, 1, 8, default
    animation = fade, 1, 7, default
    animation = workspaces, 1, 6, default
}

Now, we can take care of the configuration of the layouts. The only notable thing here is that I prefer to have no gaps when there is only one window in the dwindle layout. Not much is done with the master layout, as I don’t use it.

dwindle {
    pseudotile = true
    preserve_split = true
    no_gaps_when_only = 1
}

master {
    new_is_master = true
}

Autolaunch of programs

The exec-once directive of Hyprland allows the user to launch the associated command only when Hyprland starts in order to avoid launching multiple instances of some programs.

First, I’ll import some environment variables into Hyprland. These may be necessary for some programs.

exec-once = systemctl --user import-environment WAYLAND_DISPLAY XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
exec-once = dbus-update-activation-environment --systemd WAYLAND_DISPLAY XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=Hyprland

Next, I’ll launch some programs that will give Hyprland a nice appearance: waybar and wpaperd.

exec-once = wpaperd
exec-once = waybar

Let’s also take care of some sound stuff. If any new input or output is detected, switch to it. And stop the music, just in case.

exec-once = pactl load-module module-switch-on-connect
exec-once = mpc stop

Having a working policy kit is generally a good idea.

exec-once = xfce-polkit

Now, let’s launch the notification daemon swaync.

exec-once = swaync

Let’s also launch wlsunset. I’ll very vagely aim at Paris with the longitude and latitude.

exec-once = wlsunset -l 48.5 -L 2.2 -d 1500

Let’s launch some apps and their applet. Here, we’re launching the applets for NetworkManager, KDE Connect, and blueman (the bluetooth manager).

exec-once = nm-applet
exec-once = /usr/lib/kdeconnectd
exec-once = kdeconnect-indicator
exec-once = blueman-applet

Finally, let’s launch swayidle which lets us lock our session. It’ll automatically pause any media playing.

exec-once = swayidle -w timeout 600 'plock' before-sleep 'playerctl pause; plock' lock 'plock'

Keybindings

First, let me make a couple of variables for reusability. Mind you, hjkl becomes ctsr in the bépo keyboard layout.

$left = c
$right = r
$up = s
$down = t
$menu = rofi -combi-modi drun -show combi

Now, I’d like to introduce a concept which I really enjoy: submaps. They allow the Hyprland user to make keychords similar to Emacs, which allows us to unlock the full potential of keybindings in a window manager. In Hyprland, something to be wary of is that there is no automatic submap switching. If there is no explicit indication to exit the current submap or to switch to another submap, Hyprland will just stay on the current submap. So, using something like bind = CTRL, g, submap, reset is necessary to exit the current submap on C-g (or Control + g, I like the Emacs notation).

In the submap tables below, the submap column may indicate reset, a submap’s name, or nothing. If nothing is indicated, the key will not act on the current submap or switch to another one. A submap’s name will make the key switch to said submap, while the value reset will make us go back to the root submap. Note that all submaps will also have the escape and C-g keys mapped to exiting the current submap.

Note also that I sometimes use bind flags. I’ll only set the flag in the appropriate column when necessary.

These are the keybindings that are present on the top-level keybinding map.

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument	Submap
SUPER	Return	exec	kitty
SUPER	Space			leader
	Print			screenshot

bind = SUPER, Return, exec, kitty
bind = SUPER, Space, submap, leader
bind = , Print, submap, screenshot

submap = leader
bind = , l, exec, plock
bind = , l, submap, reset
bind = , a, submap, apps
bind = , b, submap, buffers
bind = , w, submap, windows
bind = , escape, submap, reset
bind = CTRL, g, submap, reset

submap = apps
bind = , b, exec, firefox
bind = , b, submap, reset
bind = SHIFT, b, exec, qutebrowser
bind = SHIFT, b, submap, reset
bind = , d, exec, discord
bind = , d, submap, reset
bind = , e, exec, emacsclient -c -n
bind = , e, submap, reset
bind = , g, exec, gimp
bind = , g, submap, reset
bind = , n, exec, nemo
bind = , n, submap, reset
bind = , r, submap, rofi
bind = , u, exec, $menu
bind = , u, submap, reset
bind = , escape, submap, reset
bind = CTRL, g, submap, reset
submap = buffers
bind = , d, killactive, 
bind = , d, submap, reset
bind = , escape, submap, reset
bind = CTRL, g, submap, reset
submap = resize
binde = , $left, resizeactive, -10 0
binde = , $right, resizeactive, 10 0
binde = , $up, resizeactive, 0 -10
binde = , $down, resizeactive, 0 10
bind = , q, submap, reset
bind = , escape, submap, reset
bind = CTRL, g, submap, reset
submap = rofi
bind = , a, exec, awiki
bind = , a, submap, reset
bind = , b, exec, bluetooth-connect
bind = , b, submap, reset
bind = , e, exec, rofi-emoji
bind = , e, submap, reset
bind = , r, exec, $menu
bind = , r, submap, reset
bind = , s, exec, rofi -show ssh
bind = , s, submap, reset
bind = , y, exec, ytplay
bind = , y, submap, reset
bind = SHIFT, y, exec, rofi-ytdl
bind = SHIFT, y, submap, reset
bind = , escape, submap, reset
bind = CTRL, g, submap, reset
submap = screenshot
bind = , Print, exec, screenshot
bind = , Print, submap, reset
bind = , d, exec, screenshot -d 3
bind = , d, submap, reset
bind = Shift, d, exec, screenshot -sced 3
bind = Shift, d, submap, reset
bind = , e, exec, screenshot -sec
bind = , e, submap, reset
bind = , s, exec, screenshot -s
bind = , s, submap, reset
bind = Shift, s, exec, screenshot -sc
bind = Shift, s, submap, reset
bind = , escape, submap, reset
bind = CTRL, g, submap, reset
submap = windows
bind = , period, submap, resize
bind = , $left, movefocus, l
bind = , $left, submap, reset
bind = , $right, movefocus, r
bind = , $right, submap, reset
bind = , $up, movefocus, u
bind = , $up, submap, reset
bind = , $down, movefocus, d
bind = , $down, submap, reset
bind = SHIFT, $left, movewindow, l
bind = SHIFT, $left, submap, reset
bind = SHIFT, $right, movewindow, r
bind = SHIFT, $right, submap, reset
bind = SHIFT, $up, movewindow, u
bind = SHIFT, $up, submap, reset
bind = SHIFT, $down, movewindow, d
bind = SHIFT, $down, submap, reset
bind = CTRL_SHIFT, $left, moveworkspacetomonitor, e+0 +1
bind = CTRL_SHIFT, $left, submap, reset
bind = CTRL_SHIFT, $right, moveworkspacetomonitor, e+0 -1
bind = CTRL_SHIFT, $right, submap, reset
bind = , d, killactive, 
bind = , d, submap, reset
bind = , f, fullscreen, 
bind = , f, submap, reset
bind = SHIFT, f, togglefloating, 
bind = SHIFT, f, submap, reset
bind = , escape, submap, reset
bind = CTRL, g, submap, reset

submap = reset
bindl = , XF86AudioPlay, exec, playerctl play-pause
bindl = , XF86AudioPause, exec, playerctl pause
bindl = , XF86AudioStop, exec, playerctl stop
bindl = , XF86AudioPrev, exec, playerctl previous
bindl = , XF86AudioNext, exec, playerctl next
bindl = , XF86AudioForward, exec, playerctl position +1
bindl = , XF86AudioRewind, exec, playerctl position -1
bindl = , XF86AudioRaiseVolume, exec, pamixer -i 2
bindl = , XF86AudioLowerVolume, exec, pamixer -d 2
bindl = , XF86MonBrightnessUp, exec, xbacklight -perceived -inc 2
bindl = , XF86MonBrightnessDown, exec, xbacklight -perceived -dec 2
bindl = , XF86KbdBrightnessUp, exec, xbacklight -perceived -inc 2
bindl = , XF86KbdBrightnessDown, exec, xbacklight -perceived -dec 2
bind = SUPER, $left, movefocus, l
bind = SUPER, $right, movefocus, r
bind = SUPER, $up, movefocus, u
bind = SUPER, $down, movefocus, d
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, $left, movewindow, l
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, $left, submap, reset
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, $right, movewindow, r
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, $right, submap, reset
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, $up, movewindow, u
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, $up, submap, reset
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, $down, movewindow, d
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, $down, submap, reset
bind = SUPER_CTRL_SHIFT, $left, moveworkspacetomonitor, e+0 +1
bind = SUPER_CTRL_SHIFT, $left, submap, reset
bind = SUPER_CTRL_SHIFT, $right, moveworkspacetomonitor, e+0 -1
bind = SUPER_CTRL_SHIFT, $right, submap, reset
bind = SUPER, Tab, cyclenext, 
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, Tab, cyclenext, prev
bindm = SUPER, mouse:272, movewindow
bindm = SUPER, mouse:273, resizewindow
bind = SUPER, quotedbl, workspace, 1
bind = SUPER, guillemotleft, workspace, 2
bind = SUPER, guillemotright, workspace, 3
bind = SUPER, parenleft, workspace, 4
bind = SUPER, parenright, workspace, 5
bind = SUPER, at, workspace, 6
bind = SUPER, plus, workspace, 7
bind = SUPER, minus, workspace, 8
bind = SUPER, slash, workspace, 9
bind = SUPER, asterisk, workspace, 10
bind = SUPER, mouse_down, workspace, e+1
bind = SUPER, mouse_up, workspace, e-1
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, quotedbl, movetoworkspace, 1
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, guillemotleft, movetoworkspace, 2
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, guillemotright, movetoworkspace, 3
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, parenleft, movetoworkspace, 4
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, parenright, movetoworkspace, 5
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, at, movetoworkspace, 6
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, plus, movetoworkspace, 7
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, minus, movetoworkspace, 8
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, slash, movetoworkspace, 9
bind = SUPER_SHIFT, asterisk, movetoworkspace, 10

Top keybindings

Media keys

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument	Submap	Bind flag
	XF86AudioPlay	exec	playerctl play-pause		l
	XF86AudioPause	exec	playerctl pause		l
	XF86AudioStop	exec	playerctl stop		l
	XF86AudioPrev	exec	playerctl previous		l
	XF86AudioNext	exec	playerctl next		l
	XF86AudioForward	exec	playerctl position +1		l
	XF86AudioRewind	exec	playerctl position -1		l
	XF86AudioRaiseVolume	exec	pamixer -i 2		l
	XF86AudioLowerVolume	exec	pamixer -d 2		l
	XF86MonBrightnessUp	exec	xbacklight -perceived -inc 2		l
	XF86MonBrightnessDown	exec	xbacklight -perceived -dec 2		l
	XF86KbdBrightnessUp	exec	xbacklight -perceived -inc 2		l
	XF86KbdBrightnessDown	exec	xbacklight -perceived -dec 2		l

Quick window movements and actions

These are basically a rehash of what you can find in the windows submap but with a few missing keybindings and other extras.

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument	Submap
SUPER	$left	movefocus	l
SUPER	$right	movefocus	r
SUPER	$up	movefocus	u
SUPER	$down	movefocus	d
SUPER_SHIFT	$left	movewindow	l	reset
SUPER_SHIFT	$right	movewindow	r	reset
SUPER_SHIFT	$up	movewindow	u	reset
SUPER_SHIFT	$down	movewindow	d	reset
SUPER_CTRL_SHIFT	$left	moveworkspacetomonitor	e+0 +1	reset
SUPER_CTRL_SHIFT	$right	moveworkspacetomonitor	e+0 -1	reset
SUPER	Tab	cyclenext
SUPER_SHIFT	Tab	cyclenext	prev

Something I really appreciate with window managers in Linux is the able to really easily move and resize windows. The keybinds below allow the user to press down the super key and perform an action on the window:

• with a left click, move the window around
• with a right click, resize the window

Modifiers	Key	Action
SUPER	mouse:272	movewindow
SUPER	mouse:273	resizewindow

Workspace movements

Due to the bépo layout, the number row does not give immediate access to numbers, but to punctuation symbols. You can find below a table of equivalence of the characters’ name and the actual character, as well as the number that sits on the same key when pressing shift.

Character name	Character	Number
quotedbl	"	1
guillemotleft	«	2
guillemotright	»	3
parenleft	(	4
parenright	)	5
at	@	6
plus	+	7
minus	-	8
slash	/	9
asterisk	*	0

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument
SUPER	quotedbl	workspace	1
SUPER	guillemotleft	workspace	2
SUPER	guillemotright	workspace	3
SUPER	parenleft	workspace	4
SUPER	parenright	workspace	5
SUPER	at	workspace	6
SUPER	plus	workspace	7
SUPER	minus	workspace	8
SUPER	slash	workspace	9
SUPER	asterisk	workspace	10
SUPER	mouse_down	workspace	e+1
SUPER	mouse_up	workspace	e-1
SUPER_SHIFT	quotedbl	movetoworkspace	1
SUPER_SHIFT	guillemotleft	movetoworkspace	2
SUPER_SHIFT	guillemotright	movetoworkspace	3
SUPER_SHIFT	parenleft	movetoworkspace	4
SUPER_SHIFT	parenright	movetoworkspace	5
SUPER_SHIFT	at	movetoworkspace	6
SUPER_SHIFT	plus	movetoworkspace	7
SUPER_SHIFT	minus	movetoworkspace	8
SUPER_SHIFT	slash	movetoworkspace	9
SUPER_SHIFT	asterisk	movetoworkspace	10

Leader

The leader submap is accessible by pressing s-SPC (Super and space). It is sort of the general menu for my keybindings.

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument	Submap
	l	exec	plock	reset
	a			apps
	b			buffers
	w			windows

Apps

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument	Submap
	b	exec	firefox	reset
SHIFT	b	exec	qutebrowser	reset
	d	exec	discord	reset
	e	exec	emacsclient -c -n	reset
	g	exec	gimp	reset
	n	exec	nemo	reset
	r			rofi
	u	exec	$menu	reset

Buffers

I call this the buffer window, but it’s mostly due to my habit of handling Emacs buffers. Some of my muscle memory may never fade away. Consider this as an addition to the windows submap.

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument	Submap
	d	killactive		reset

Resize

This is an example of a submap where I may not want to immediately exit it. We enter it with the keychord s-SPC w . and exit it with either the usual C-g, escape key, but also with the q key.

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument	Submap	Bind flag
	$left	resizeactive	-10 0		e
	$right	resizeactive	10 0		e
	$up	resizeactive	0 -10		e
	$down	resizeactive	0 10		e
	q			reset

Rofi

This submap hosts quite a few menus handled with rofi (I use this wayland fork). You may want to take a look at custom scripts to know what most of these do.

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument	Submap
	a	exec	awiki	reset
	b	exec	bluetooth-connect	reset
	e	exec	rofi-emoji	reset
	r	exec	$menu	reset
	s	exec	rofi -show ssh	reset
	y	exec	ytplay	reset
SHIFT	y	exec	rofi-ytdl	reset

Screenshots

Here are the keybinding for the screenshot submap

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument	Submap
	Print	exec	screenshot	reset
	d	exec	screenshot -d 3	reset
Shift	d	exec	screenshot -sced 3	reset
	e	exec	screenshot -sec	reset
	s	exec	screenshot -s	reset
Shift	s	exec	screenshot -sc	reset

Windows

Modifiers	Key	Action	Argument	Submap
	period			resize
	$left	movefocus	l	reset
	$right	movefocus	r	reset
	$up	movefocus	u	reset
	$down	movefocus	d	reset
SHIFT	$left	movewindow	l	reset
SHIFT	$right	movewindow	r	reset
SHIFT	$up	movewindow	u	reset
SHIFT	$down	movewindow	d	reset
CTRL_SHIFT	$left	moveworkspacetomonitor	e+0 +1	reset
CTRL_SHIFT	$right	moveworkspacetomonitor	e+0 -1	reset
	d	killactive		reset
	f	fullscreen		reset
SHIFT	f	togglefloating		reset

Window rules

For now, I don’t have a lot of window rules. One, actually. It makes the XFCE polkit a floating window.

windowrulev2 = float,class:^(xfce-polkit)$