Arch Install and Hyprland setup

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on how to install Arch Linux and set up the Hyprland dynamic tiling Wayland compositor. This guide is designed for users who want to create a functional Arch Linux environment with Hyprland as their desktop environment. We will cover downloading the necessary files, creating a bootable USB, installing Arch Linux, and configuring Hyprland.

Step 1: Download Arch Linux

• Visit the official Arch Linux website.
• Download the latest ISO file for Arch Linux.

Step 2: Verify Checksum

• Open a terminal.
• Navigate to the directory where the ISO is downloaded.
• Use the following command to verify the checksum:

  sha1sum archlinux-<version>.iso
  

• Compare the output with the checksum provided on the Arch Linux website to ensure the file integrity.

Step 3: Download Rufus

• Visit the Rufus website.
• Download the latest version of Rufus to create a bootable USB drive.

Step 4: Create a Bootable USB

• Insert a USB drive (minimum 2 GB).
• Open Rufus and select the downloaded Arch Linux ISO file.
• Choose the USB drive and click on "Start" to create the bootable USB.

Step 5: Boot from USB

• Restart your computer.
• Enter the boot menu (usually by pressing F2, F10, or ESC during startup).
• Select the USB drive to boot into the Arch Linux installation environment.

Step 6: Install Arch Linux

Follow the Arch Linux installation guide to set up your system. Key steps include

• Partitioning your disk using fdisk or parted.
• Formatting the partitions (e.g., mkfs.ext4 for root).
• Mounting the partitions.
• Installing the base system with:

  pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware
  

• Configuring the system (creating fstab, timezone, locale, etc.).

Step 7: First Boot

• After installation, reboot your system.
• Log into your new Arch Linux installation.

Step 8: Install Yay

Install Yay (Yet Another Yaourt) for package management

• Clone the Yay repository:

  git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay-git.git
  

• Change into the directory:

  cd yay-git
  

• Build and install Yay:

  makepkg -si
  

Step 9: Setup Hyprland

• Clone the Hyprland configuration repository:

  git clone https://github.com/soldoestech/hyprland.git
  

• Navigate to the Hyprland directory and run the setup script.

Step 10: First Look at Hyprland

• After installation, reboot your system.
• Select Hyprland from your display manager or start it manually.

Step 11: Configure Hyprland

• Navigate to your configuration files located in the Hyprland directory.
• Modify settings as desired for optimal performance and user experience.

Step 12: Apply Theme

• Choose a theme for your Hyprland setup.
• Follow the theme application instructions provided in the Hyprland documentation or your chosen theme's README file.

Step 13: Install Additional Software

• Install essential applications like Chromium:

  yay -S chromium
  

Step 14: Logout and Login

• Logout of your current session.
• Log back in to see the applied changes and confirm everything is working correctly.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed Arch Linux and set up the Hyprland compositor. This guide covered all essential steps from downloading Arch Linux to configuring your desktop environment. For further customization and exploration, check out the Hyprland project page and GitHub repository for advanced configurations and themes. Happy computing!