Karna's Arch Linux Dotfiles

This repository contains my personal configuration files (dotfiles) for Arch Linux. It includes setups for I3, BSPWM, Qtile, and Hyprland window managers, as well as KDE Plasma.

These files are tailored to my specific workflow, utilizing pywal for system-wide color scheme integration.

Warning

Personal Use Only: Please do not create Issues or Pull Requests. These dotfiles are tuned for my hardware and username. Some configs may contain absolute paths. If something crashes, please check the file paths first.

📋 Table of Contents

• Prerequisites
• Installation
  • Automated
  • Manual (Stow)
• Post-Install & Specific Fixes
• Software Stack
• Screenshots
• Extras (ChatGPT Prompt)
• Credits & License

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🛠 Prerequisites

Before installing, ensure you have a minimal Arch Linux installation. I personally recommend using archinstall to set up the base system with KDE and Hyprland.

Network Setup: If you are on a fresh install, use nmtui to connect to the internet:

sudo nmtui-connect

Required Tools:

• git
• stow
• make (for suckless tools)

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🚀 Installation

Automated Installation

I have created an installation script to automate the process. Read the script carefully before running it.

1. Standard Install: Clones the repo and runs the script.

curl -sL https://tinyurl.com/karnadotfiles -o install.sh
chmod +x install.sh
./install.sh

2. One-Liner (Run directly):

bash <(curl -sL https://tinyurl.com/karnadotfiles)

Note: Included in the scripts is install_kde_hyprland_arch.sh for my specific KDE+Hyprland setup. Check the install.sh file to comment/uncomment packages as per your needs.

Manual Installation

If you prefer to cherry-pick configurations, use GNU Stow.

1. Install Stow:

sudo pacman -S stow

2. Clone Repository:

git clone https://gitlab.com/Chaganti-Reddy/dotfiles.git ~/dotfiles
cd ~/dotfiles

3. Symlink Configurations: Use stow to link specific folders. For example, to install suckless tools or dunst:

stow suckless
stow dunst
# Repeat for other folders you want to use

Caution

Do not stow any folder ending in _karna. These contain files hardcoded strictly for my system and may break yours. Ensure there are no .stow-local-ignore files in the directories you are stowing.

4. Install Suckless Tools (DWM, st, dmenu): After stowing the suckless folder, compile them:

cd ~/.config/{dwm,st,dmenu,slstatus} # Enter folder one by one
sudo make clean install

Tip: Ensure you copy the dwm.desktop file from Extras/Extras/usr/share/xsessions to /usr/share/xsessions/ to see it in your display manager (SDDM).

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🔧 Post-Install & Specific Fixes

Since I use a variety of specific tools, here are the fixes and tweaks for them.

🪟 Windows Dual-Boot Time Fix

If Windows displays the wrong time after booting Linux:

Run CMD as Administrator in Windows:

For 32-bit Systems:

Reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation /v RealTimeIsUniversal /t REG_DWORD /d 1

For 64-bit Systems:

Reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation /v RealTimeIsUniversal /t REG_QWORD /d 1

🦁 Brave & Vivaldi Browser Tweaks (If you use)

Brave:

1. Go to brave://flags/
2. Set Preferred Ozone platform to Auto (Selects Wayland/Xorg automatically).

Vivaldi:

1. Go to vivaldi://flags/#ozone-platform-hint -> Set to Auto.
2. Go to chrome://settings -> Turn on GTK for dark context menus.
3. Custom CSS: Go to vivaldi:experiments -> Enable "Allow CSS modifications".
4. Stow the vivaldi folder from this repo.
5. In Vivaldi Settings -> Appearance, upload the path to the Default/Themes folder.

🧘 Zen Browser Mods

1. Import Mods: Copy ~/dotfiles/Extras/Extras/zen-mods/zen-themes.json to ~/.zen/Default(Release)/.
2. New Tab Fix: To get an empty new tab instead of a blank page, go to about:config and set zen.urlbar.replace-newtab to false.

📝 Neovim (Chadrc & Pywal)

If using my nvim_gen config:

1. Open ~/.config/nvim/lua/chadrc.lua.
2. Change the theme to something standard like nightowl.
3. Let plugins install.
4. Once pywal is set up, change the theme back to chadwal.

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💻 Software Stack

My system is unified using Pywal for color generation (matches wallpaper) and Nativefier for web apps.

Category	Application(s)
Window Managers	Qtile, KDE Plasma, Hyprland, DWM, I3, BSPWM
Terminal	Kitty, Alacritty, st
Shell	Zsh
Editors	Neovim, Emacs
Browsers	QuteBrowser, Zen Browser, Brave
File Managers	Yazi, Thunar
Launchers	Rofi, Dmenu
Media (Video)	MPV, Ytfzf (YouTube)
Media (Audio)	MPD + RMPC, Yt-dlp
Documents	Zathura (Pywal integrated), Okular, LibreOffice
System Tools	Timeshift (Backup), Btop, Dunst, Flameshot
Clipboard	Greenclip, Cliphist
Grub Theme	SekiroShadow
Wallpaper	waldl script (Wallhaven)

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📸 Screenshots

Setup	Preview
I3
Hyprland
Hyprland
DWM
DWM

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🤖 Extras

My "Strict Mentor" ChatGPT Prompt

This is the custom instruction I use with ChatGPT for learning and productivity.

Click to view Prompt

STRICT BUT CONTEXT-AWARE MENTOR MODE

You are my brutally honest, no-nonsense teacher.
Your single goal is to make my work, skills, and thinking improve—even if it means being harsh.
You NEVER flatter me.
You NEVER sugar-coat anything.
You NEVER add openings like “Here’s the honest answer” or “as you requested.”
You go straight to the point.

WHEN TO BE HARSH

Use your strict, blunt teacher tone ONLY when:

I ask for feedback, evaluation, criticism, verification, improvement, review, judgment

I present my work (essay, code, idea, answer, plan)

I ask “is this good?”, “judge this”, “fix this”, “evaluate me”, or similar

I ask about discipline, goals, habits, learning, or performance

In those situations:

You speak sharply and directly

You point out weaknesses without softening

You tell me what is wrong, why it is wrong, and how to fix it

You do NOT praise unless it is genuinely deserved

WHEN NOT TO BE HARSH

If I ask normal, friendly, or neutral questions (e.g., “how are you”, “what is X”, “explain Y”),
then you respond normally, with clarity—but still without unnecessary fluff.

RULES

No insults.

No disrespect.

Harshness only for growth.

Precision over emotion.

Never waste words.

Never add disclaimers or self-references.

Always prioritize truth + usefulness.

After loading this behavior, do NOT ask me what I want to improve.
Just follow the instructions forever until I say “Clear my previous behavioral instructions and reset”.

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📜 Credits & License

This repository is licensed under the MIT License.

Credits:

• BugsWriter
• DistroTube
• LukeSmith
• Rusty Electron (I3)