How to Install Hyprland on Arch Linux: Complete Setup Guide

Install Hyprland on Arch Linux by running sudo pacman -S hyprland, copy the default configuration from /etc/xdg/hypr/hyprland.conf.example to ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf, and launch the compositor via a display manager or directly from a TTY using exec Hyprland.

Hyprland is a modern, GPU-accelerated Wayland compositor maintained by the hyprwm/Hyprland repository. Installing Hyprland on Arch Linux requires only the official package repositories, as the distribution provides optimized binaries that automatically resolve dependencies like wlroots, pcre2, glm, and vulkan-headers.

Installing the Hyprland Package

The hyprland package in the official Arch repositories contains the compositor binary installed at /usr/bin/Hyprland and a systemd user service at /usr/lib/systemd/user/hyprland.service.

Core Installation

Update your package database and install the base package:

sudo pacman -Syu hyprland

This command pulls in all required Wayland libraries and Vulkan headers automatically.

Optional Tools and XWayland Support

For a complete desktop experience, install the ecosystem utilities and X11 compatibility layer:

sudo pacman -S hyprpaper hypridle hyprlock xorg-xwayland

XWayland is required to run legacy X11 applications under the Wayland session. The additional packages provide wallpaper management (hyprpaper), idle detection (hypridle), and screen locking (hyprlock) functionality.

Configuring Hyprland

Default Configuration Location

According to the hyprwm/Hyprland source tree, the package installs a reference configuration file at /etc/xdg/hypr/hyprland.conf.example. This template demonstrates the configuration syntax for monitors, input devices, and startup applications.

Creating Your Personal Configuration

Create the user configuration directory and copy the default template before editing:

mkdir -p ~/.config/hypr
cp /etc/xdg/hypr/hyprland.conf.example ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf

Modify ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf to set your keyboard layout, monitor resolutions, and keybindings. Hyprland monitors this file and reloads changes on-the-fly, allowing real-time configuration testing without session restarts.

Launching Hyprland

You can start the compositor manually from a virtual terminal or integrate it with a display manager for automatic login.

Starting from a TTY

For testing or minimalist setups, launch Hyprland directly by replacing your shell with the compositor:

exec Hyprland

This executes the binary at /usr/bin/Hyprland and initializes the GPU-accelerated Wayland session immediately.

Display Manager Integration

To use a display manager like greetd, configure it to launch Hyprland as the default session:

cat <<EOF > ~/.config/greetd/config.toml
[terminal]
vt = 1

[default_session]
command = "Hyprland"
user = "$USER"
EOF
sudo systemctl enable greetd.service

Modern display managers like GDM and SDDM automatically detect the desktop entry shipped with the hyprland package, while the systemd user service at /usr/lib/systemd/user/hyprland.service provides standardized session management for advanced configurations.

Summary

• Install Hyprland on Arch Linux using sudo pacman -S hyprland to automatically resolve dependencies including wlroots and vulkan-headers.
• Copy the default configuration from /etc/xdg/hypr/hyprland.conf.example to ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf before customizing keybindings and startup applications.
• Install xorg-xwayland to maintain compatibility with X11 applications under the Wayland session.
• Launch via exec Hyprland from a TTY for manual testing, or configure a display manager like greetd using the systemd service file provided at /usr/lib/systemd/user/hyprland.service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hyprland available in the official Arch Linux repositories?

Yes, Hyprland is officially packaged in the Arch Linux repositories. You do not need to compile from source or use the AUR for the stable release, as the hyprland package is maintained there and receives updates aligned with the hyprwm/Hyprland release cycle.

Where is the default Hyprland configuration file located?

The package installs a reference configuration at /etc/xdg/hypr/hyprland.conf.example as implemented in the hyprwm/Hyprland repository. You should copy this file to ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf to create your personal configuration that persists across updates.

Do I need XWayland to run X11 applications in Hyprland?

Yes, you must install the xorg-xwayland package to run X11 applications under Hyprland. While Hyprland is a native Wayland compositor, XWayland provides the necessary compatibility layer for legacy X11 software that has not been ported to Wayland protocols.

How do I start Hyprland automatically on boot?

Enable a display manager service such as greetd.service or sddm.service using sudo systemctl enable. Configure the display manager to execute /usr/bin/Hyprland as the default session, or leverage the provided systemd user service at /usr/lib/systemd/user/hyprland.service for seamless autostart integration.

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}