Experience Hyperland on Debian 13 and Ubuntu 23.10 with GPU Support

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Experience Hyperland on Debian 13 and Ubuntu 23.10 with GPU Support

Introduction
What is Hyperland?
Debian and Ubuntu Compatibility
Prerequisites
Installation Process
- 5.1 Cloning the Hyperland Repository
- 5.2 Editing the AP sources.list File
- 5.3 Modifying the Install Script for Nvidia GPU Users
- 5.4 Making the Install Script Executable
- 5.5 Running the Install Script
Configuring Hyperland After Installation
- 6.1 Adjusting Font Size and Scaling
- 6.2 Applying Dark or Light Themes
- 6.3 Launching Terminal and Other Applications
- 6.4 Customizing OMZSH Prompt
Troubleshooting and Debugging
- 7.1 Checking the Log File
- 7.2 Joining the Discord Community
- 7.3 Submitting Issues and Improvements
Conclusion
Resources

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the installation and configuration process of Hyperland, one of the fastest-growing window compositors for Linux. Hyperland is renowned for its performance and flexibility, making it the top choice for tiling window management enthusiasts. While it is commonly associated with Arch Linux, we will focus on installing and using Hyperland on Debian and Ubuntu distributions. So, if you've been wanting to try Hyperland but prefer Debian or Ubuntu, read on to discover how to set it up efficiently.

What is Hyperland?

Hyperland is a powerful tiling window manager for Linux that provides a comprehensive suite of features and customization options. It is built using Wayland, a modern protocol for communication between display servers and clients, offering superior performance over the traditional X Window System. With Hyperland, users can efficiently manage their windows, increase productivity, and create personalized workflows. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Hyperland community and the lead developer VRE, the project continues to evolve and improve rapidly.

Debian and Ubuntu Compatibility

Before diving into the installation process, it's important to understand the compatibility of Hyperland with Debian and Ubuntu distributions. The Hyperland installation script, which we will discuss later, is specifically designed for Debian 13 Trixie (testing branch) and the new Ubuntu 22.10 D Mantic Menot. It should be noted that Hyperland requires up-to-date Wayland libraries, which are not available in older repositories such as Debian 12 and Ubuntu 22.04. Attempting to install Hyperland on these older versions may lead to compilation and installation failures. Hence, it is crucial to ensure that you are running the recommended distributions before proceeding.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation, there are a few prerequisites that need to be met. Firstly, you need to have a stable internet connection since the installation process involves downloading and installing various packages. Additionally, you will need to have the 'git' tool installed on your system. Fortunately, 'git' is often pre-installed on most Debian-based distributions. Lastly, having a text editor, such as 'nano', is useful for making minor edits during the installation process. With these prerequisites in place, we can now move on to the installation process.

Installation Process

5.1 Cloning the Hyperland Repository

The first step in installing Hyperland is to clone the official Hyperland repository from GitHub. Open a terminal and run the following command:

git clone https://github.com/JKol/Debian-Hyperland

This will create a local copy of the repository on your system.

5.2 Editing the AP sources.list File

Before running the installation script, we need to edit the 'sources.list' file to enable the required repositories. Open the 'sources.list' file using your preferred text editor:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Ensure that the lines containing 'Dev Source' are uncommented, as these sources provide the necessary Wayland packages. Additionally, make sure that it allows the installation of nonfree drivers, especially if you are using Nvidia GPUs.

5.3 Modifying the Install Script for Nvidia GPU Users

If you are using Nvidia GPUs, there are a few modifications needed in the install script to ensure compatibility. Open the 'install.sh' file using your text editor:

nano Debian-Hyperland/install.sh

Locate the section related to Nvidia drivers (indicated by comments), and delete the corresponding lines. This step is crucial to prevent conflicts and ensure a smooth installation process.

5.4 Making the Install Script Executable

Before running the install script, we need to make it executable. In the terminal, navigate to the 'Debian-Hyperland' directory:

cd Debian-Hyperland

Then, run the following command to grant execute permissions:

chmod +x install.sh

5.5 Running the Install Script

Now that the install script is executable, we can proceed with the installation process. Execute the following command to start the installation:

sudo ./install.sh

During the installation, you will be prompted with a series of questions. Answer them as follows:

Proceed with installation: Yes
Edited 'sources.list' file: Yes
Nvidia GPU Present: Yes (if applicable)
Install GTK themes: Yes
Configure Bluetooth: Yes/No (based on your preference)
Install ROG laptop tools: Yes/No (based on your device)
Install and configure SDDM: Yes/No (Ubuntu users skip this)
Install xcfe4 desktop portal for Hyperland: Yes
Install ZSH and OMZSH: Yes
Install Sway lock effects: Yes
Install Sway wallpaper handling: Yes
Install NW-Look utility: Yes
Copy my .zshrc config file: Yes/No (based on your preference)

Please note that some options are specific to certain configurations. Adjust the answers accordingly.

Configuring Hyperland After Installation

Once the installation is complete, there are a few additional configuration steps to ensure a seamless experience with Hyperland.

6.1 Adjusting Font Size and Scaling

By default, the font size and scaling in Hyperland may appear small on high-resolution displays. To adjust the font size, launch the GTK settings by pressing Super + D and searching for "GTK Settings." In the Font tab, increase the font size or adjust the scaling factor to enhance readability.

6.2 Applying Dark or Light Themes

Hyperland supports both dark and light themes. You can toggle between the two by pressing Super + Enter. Experiment with both options to determine which suits your preferences best.

6.3 Launching Terminal and Other Applications

Launching the terminal in Hyperland is achieved by pressing Super + Enter. Additionally, you can launch other applications by utilizing the Super key and specific key combinations set in your Hyperland configuration.

6.4 Customizing OMZSH Prompt

If you installed ZSH and OMZSH during the installation, you have the option to customize your prompt. Open the ~/.zshrc file in your preferred text editor and make the necessary modifications. Save the file and execute source ~/.zshrc to apply the changes.

Troubleshooting and Debugging

If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, there are a few resources available to help you.

7.1 Checking the Log File

During the installation, a log file named 'Hyperland_install_log.txt' is created in your home folder or the location where you cloned the repository. This log file provides useful information for troubleshooting. You can review its contents or share it with the community when seeking assistance.

7.2 Joining the Discord Community

For more interactive support, it is highly recommended to join the Hyperland Discord community. You can ask questions, discuss issues, and get help from experienced users and developers. The Discord server invitation link can be found in the resource section at the end of this article.

7.3 Submitting Issues and Improvements

If you encounter any issues or have suggestions for improving the installation process, you can submit them in the respective GitHub repository. Feel free to create a Pull Request or open an Issue, providing detailed information about the problem or enhancement you want to address. The repository link can be found in the resource section.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the process of installing and configuring Hyperland on Debian and Ubuntu distributions. We covered the compatibility requirements, prerequisites, step-by-step installation instructions, and post-installation configurations. Hyperland offers an efficient, flexible, and visually pleasing tiling window management experience, empowering users to customize their workflows and increase productivity. Now that you are equipped with the knowledge of installing and setting up Hyperland, go ahead and experience the benefits of this powerful window manager.