First Steps

Welcome to HyprL! This guide will help you get oriented with your new Hyprland desktop environment. If you’ve just completed the installation, this is your next stop.

Your First Login

Starting HyprL

1. Log out of your current desktop session
2. At the login screen, look for a session selector (usually a gear icon or dropdown)
3. Select “Hyprland” from the available sessions
4. Log in with your credentials

What to Expect

On your first login, you’ll see:

• A clean desktop with a beautiful wallpaper
• Waybar at the top showing system information
• An automatic tutorial popup guiding you through basics

Essential Key Bindings

HyprL uses keyboard shortcuts for most actions. Here are the absolute essentials:

The Super Key

Your Super key (Windows key) is the main modifier. We’ll refer to it as Super throughout this guide.

Core Navigation

Window Management

Workspaces

Opening Your First Applications

Let’s get some applications running:

1. Open a Terminal

Press Super + Q to open Kitty terminal. This is your command center.

2. Launch Applications

Press Super + Space to open the Rofi launcher. Type to search for applications:

• Type firefox and press Enter for web browser
• Type nautilus for file manager
• Type code for VS Code (if installed)

3. Quick Access Applications

Some apps have dedicated shortcuts:

• Super + E - File manager
• Super + Z - Web browser
• XF86Calculator - Calculator (often bound to a dedicated calculator key)

Understanding Window Behavior

Tiling System

Unlike traditional desktops, HyprL automatically arranges windows in a tiling pattern:

• First window: Takes full screen
• Second window: Screen splits in half
• More windows: Further subdivisions

Window States

Windows can be in different states:

• Tiled: Automatically sized and positioned
• Floating: Free-moving like traditional windows
• Fullscreen: Takes entire screen

Switching Between Windows

• Use Super + H/J/K/L (vim-style) to move focus
• Or click on any window to focus it

Working with Workspaces

Workspaces are like virtual desktops. HyprL gives you 9 by default.

Basic Workspace Usage

1. Switch workspaces: Super + 1-9
2. Move windows: Super + Shift + 1-9
3. Create new workspace: Just move a window to an unused number

Workspace Tips

• Keep related applications together (e.g., all work apps on workspace 2)
• Use workspace 1 for general tasks
• Reserve workspace 9 for monitoring tools

The Status Bar (Waybar)

The top bar shows important information:

Left Side

• Workspaces: Shows active and occupied workspaces
• Window title: Current focused application

Center

• Date and time: Current date/time display

Right Side

• System tray: Background applications
• Audio volume: Click to adjust
• Network status: WiFi/Ethernet indicator
• Battery (laptops): Power remaining
• User menu: Click your username for options

Basic Customization

Changing Wallpaper

# Use the built-in wallpaper changer
Super + Ctrl + W  # Opens wallpaper selector

# Or manually with waypaper
waypaper --random

Adjusting Audio

• Volume up/down: XF86AudioRaiseVolume/XF86AudioLowerVolume (often bound to dedicated volume keys)
• Mute: XF86AudioMute (often bound to a dedicated mute key)
• GUI control: Click volume icon in Waybar or run pavucontrol

Screenshots

• Full screen: Super + Print
• Select area: Super + Shift + S

Screenshots save to ~/Pictures/Screenshots/

Getting Help

Built-in Resources

# Run the interactive tutorial anytime
hyprL-tutorial

# Open configuration manager
hyprL

# View all keybindings
Super + Ctrl + K

Documentation

• This documentation: Browse other sections for detailed guides
• Configuration: Learn to customize HyprL
• Troubleshooting: Solutions for common issues

Community Support

• Discord: Join our community server
• GitHub: Report bugs and request features
• Reddit: r/hyprland for general discussion

Common First-Time Issues

”I Can’t Find My Applications”

• Press Super + Space to open the launcher
• Type the application name to search
• Check if it’s installed: which application-name

”Windows Are Too Small/Big”

• Resize: Super + Right Mouse Button and drag
• Reset layout: Super + R
• Toggle floating: Super + T for free movement

”I Accidentally Closed Everything”

• Open terminal: Super + Q
• Restart Hyprland: Super + Ctrl + R
• Emergency exit: Ctrl + Alt + F2 for TTY access

”Audio Not Working”

# Restart PipeWire
systemctl --user restart pipewire

# Check audio devices
pactl list sinks

Next Steps

Now that you’re oriented, here’s what to explore next:

Immediate Next Steps

1. Basic Commands - Learn essential terminal commands
2. Key Bindings - Master all shortcuts
3. Window Management - Advanced window control

Customization Journey

1. Themes - Change colors and appearance
2. Waybar - Customize your status bar
3. Keybindings - Create custom shortcuts

Advanced Usage

1. Workspace Management - Master multiple desktops
2. Animation Settings - Tune visual effects
3. Performance - Optimize for your hardware

Quick Reference Card

Print or bookmark this quick reference:

ESSENTIAL SHORTCUTS:
Super + Q          → Terminal
Super + Space      → App launcher  
Super + C          → Close window
Super + H/J/K/L    → Navigate windows
Super + 1-9        → Switch workspace
Super + F          → Fullscreen
Super + T          → Float window
Super + Shift + E  → Exit Hyprland

EMERGENCY:
Ctrl + Alt + F2    → TTY access
Super + Ctrl + R   → Restart Hyprland

Ready to dive deeper? Continue with Basic Commands to learn essential terminal skills, or jump to Configuration to start customizing your setup.