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Install ML4W Dotfiles on Fresh Arch Linux

Set up a polished Hyprland desktop with ML4W Dotfiles after a fresh Arch Linux installation.

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ML4W Dotfiles on Arch Linux
Install and configure ML4W Dotfiles on a fresh Arch Linux setup

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mtFpKIWQ0F4?si=_AQkbWPD7uWFTstC

Install ML4W Dotfiles on Fresh Arch Linux

This guide follows the setup flow from my video, Customize Hyprland Like a Pro | ML4W Dotfiles Setup | Beautiful Hyprland Setup! It starts with a working Arch Linux installation and takes you through the prerequisites, ML4W installer, dotfiles selection, and first-login checks.

Video: Watch the full ML4W Dotfiles setup walkthrough

Before You Start

You need:

  • A fresh, updated 64-bit Arch Linux installation.
  • A normal user account with sudo access.
  • An active internet connection.
  • A working graphical session or a TTY from which you can install the desktop.
  • A backup of important files. Dotfiles change desktop configuration files in your home directory.

If Arch Linux is not installed yet, complete the Arch Linux and Hyprland installation guide first.

1. Update Arch Linux

Open a terminal or TTY and update the system before installing desktop packages:

sudo pacman -Syu

Restart if the update includes a kernel or other core system components:

reboot

2. Install the Basic Tools

Install the tools used by the ML4W installer and common AUR workflows:

sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel git curl wget

Confirm that your user can run commands through sudo before continuing.

3. Run the ML4W Installer

Start the official ML4W setup script:

bash <(curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mylinuxforwork/dotfiles/main/setup.sh)

Read each prompt carefully. The installer may install required packages, configure the Hyprland session, and offer the ML4W Dotfiles setup application.

Use the official installer and review its prompts. Do not paste commands from an unknown mirror or run the script as root.

4. Choose the Dotfiles Setup

When the ML4W setup application opens:

  1. Choose the ML4W Dotfiles installation option.
  2. Select a profile or preset that matches the desktop style you want.
  3. Allow the installer to download and configure the required packages.
  4. Keep the default paths unless you have a reason to customize them.
  5. Wait for the installation to finish without closing the terminal or setup window.

The first installation can take time because it downloads packages, fonts, themes, wallpapers, and configuration files.

5. Start Hyprland

After the installer completes, log out and select the Hyprland session from your display manager. If you are working from a TTY, start it with:

Hyprland

Use the session provided by your display manager when possible so environment variables and login services are initialized correctly.

6. Check the New Desktop

Verify the main parts of the setup:

  • Hyprland starts without configuration errors.
  • The status bar and application launcher open correctly.
  • The terminal, notifications, wallpaper, and lock screen work.
  • Keyboard shortcuts respond as expected.
  • Network, audio, Bluetooth, and screen brightness work on your hardware.

Open a terminal and check the compositor version if needed:

hyprctl version

7. Customize Safely

Keep a backup before changing the generated configuration. ML4W configurations are commonly stored under:

~/.config/hypr/
~/.config/waybar/
~/.config/wofi/

The exact files can vary with the selected ML4W version and profile. Prefer the ML4W settings and customization tools when available, and make one change at a time so errors are easy to identify.

Troubleshooting

Hyprland does not appear in the login menu

Log out and restart the display manager or reboot. Confirm that the installation completed and that Hyprland is installed:

pacman -Qs hyprland

The setup opens but some applications are missing

Read the installer output for failed packages, confirm the network is working, and rerun the ML4W setup after fixing the package error.

The desktop opens with a configuration error

Read the error path shown by Hyprland, restore your backup, and check the generated configuration files under ~/.config/hypr/. Avoid deleting the whole configuration directory until you have saved your changes.

A keybinding does not work

The selected profile controls many keybindings. Review the active Hyprland configuration and the ML4W documentation for the selected version before changing shortcuts.

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