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Trevin Tindall edited this page Aug 21, 2026 · 6 revisions

Compatibility

This page details the compatibility of Noctis-Hypr with various systems, environments, and software versions.

Operating System Compatibility

Primary Target: Arch Linux

Noctis-Hypr is designed specifically for Arch Linux and AUR-based distributions. It leverages Arch's package management system and AUR helpers extensively.

Secondary Support: Arch-based Distributions

While primarily tested on Arch Linux, Noctis-Hypr may work on Arch-based distributions such as:

  • Manjaro
  • Garuda Linux
  • EndeavourOS
  • ArcoLinux

However, these are not officially supported and compatibility may vary based on package availability and system configuration.

Unsupported Distributions

Noctis-Hypr is not designed to work with:

  • Debian/Ubuntu-based systems
  • Red Hat/CentOS/Fedora distributions
  • Windows or macOS
  • Any non-AUR Linux distributions

Window Manager Compatibility

Hyprland Requirement

Noctis-Hypr requires Hyprland as its window manager. It is specifically designed to work with:

  • Hyprland 0.35+ (recommended)
  • Hyprland 0.30+ (minimum supported version)

Version Compatibility Notes

  • Latest Stable: Recommended for best experience and feature support
  • Previous Versions: May work but some features might be missing or behave differently
  • Development Versions: Not officially supported, may cause instability

Hardware Compatibility

Minimum Requirements

Noctis-Hypr supports modern hardware with the following minimum specifications:

  • CPU: x86_64 processor (Intel/AMD)
  • RAM: 4GB minimum (8GB+ recommended)
  • Storage: 20GB available space
  • Graphics: OpenGL 3.3+ capable GPU (Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA)
  • Display: Wayland-compatible display server

Recommended Hardware

For optimal performance and experience:

  • CPU: Modern multi-core processor (8+ cores recommended)
  • RAM: 8GB+ (16GB+ recommended for development/AI workloads)
  • Storage: SSD with at least 50GB free space
  • Graphics: Dedicated GPU with Wayland support (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel)
  • Display: High-resolution monitor (1920x1080+ recommended)

GPU Support

Noctis-Hypr supports:

  • Intel Graphics - Integrated graphics with basic 3D acceleration
  • AMD GPUs - Open-source Mesa drivers
  • NVIDIA GPUs - With proprietary drivers and Wayland support

Note: NVIDIA users may need to configure additional settings for optimal performance.

Software Dependencies

Required Packages

The following packages are required for Noctis-Hypr to function properly:

Essential Components

  • Hyprland (window manager)
  • Quickshell (UI components)
  • Kitty terminal emulator
  • awww (wallpaper engine)
  • Rofi (launcher)

Development Tools (if using dev layer)

  • Neovim
  • tmux
  • fzf
  • ripgrep
  • fd
  • lazygit

Gaming Tools (if using gaming layer)

  • GameMode
  • MangoHud
  • Steam

AI Tools (if using ai layer)

  • Ollama (local AI backend)

AUR Helper Requirements

Noctis-Hypr requires an AUR helper to install packages:

  • yay (recommended)
  • paru
  • pacman-contrib with AUR support

Desktop Environment Compatibility

Wayland Support

Noctis-Hypr is built for Wayland and requires a Wayland session. It will not work properly in X11 sessions.

Integration Points

The system integrates with:

  • Wayland Compliant Applications
  • XDG Base Directory Specification
  • Standard Desktop Components
  • System Tray Icons

Configuration Compatibility

Customization Safety

Noctis-Hypr provides safe customization through:

  • Custom.lua File: Never overwritten by installer (~/.config/hypr/custom.lua)
  • Profile/Layer System: Composable configuration without conflicts
  • Backup System: Automatic snapshots before changes
  • Configuration Management: noctis.toml as source of truth

Migration Compatibility

The system handles upgrades gracefully:

  • Existing configurations are preserved during updates
  • Changes to profiles/layers are detected and re-resolved
  • Backups ensure recovery from failed updates

Network and Internet Requirements

Installation Dependencies

During installation, Noctis-Hypr requires:

  • Internet connection for package downloads
  • Access to AUR repositories
  • Access to package mirrors for Arch packages

Runtime Requirements

For full functionality:

  • Internet access for wallpaper fetching (optional)
  • Access to Pywalfox extension for Firefox theming (optional)
  • Network connectivity for AI tools (if using ai layer)

Performance Considerations

Resource Usage

Noctis-Hypr is designed to be lightweight while providing rich features:

Minimal Profile

  • Low resource usage
  • Fast startup times
  • Suitable for older hardware

Full Profile

  • Moderate resource usage
  • Rich feature set with theming and tooling
  • Recommended for modern hardware

System Impact

The system is designed to:

  • Minimize CPU overhead during idle periods
  • Use efficient memory management
  • Integrate cleanly with existing desktop environments
  • Provide smooth window management and UI interactions

Testing and Validation

Tested Environments

Noctis-Hypr has been tested on:

Arch Linux Versions

  • 2026.08 (latest stable)
  • 2026.07
  • 2026.06

Hyprland Versions

  • 0.35.0 (latest stable)
  • 0.34.1
  • 0.33.0

Hardware Configurations

  • Desktop systems with Intel/AMD/NVIDIA GPUs
  • Laptop systems with integrated graphics
  • Various monitor configurations and resolutions

Validation Process

The system undergoes validation including:

  • Installation testing across different profiles/layers combinations
  • Update process verification
  • Backup and restoration testing
  • Performance benchmarking
  • Compatibility testing with various hardware configurations

Known Limitations

Current Limitations

  1. Distribution Specific: Only works reliably on Arch Linux and Arch-based systems
  2. Wayland Only: Requires Wayland session, not X11
  3. GPU Drivers: May require manual driver configuration for some setups
  4. Firefox Integration: Requires additional extension for full theming

Future Compatibility Plans

The project aims to:

  • Expand compatibility testing with different hardware configurations
  • Explore broader Linux distribution support (with community contributions)
  • Improve GPU driver handling and detection
  • Enhance cross-platform compatibility where possible

Reporting Compatibility Issues

If you encounter compatibility issues:

  1. Check Documentation: Ensure your system meets minimum requirements
  2. Verify Installation: Confirm you're using Arch Linux with AUR support
  3. Test Environment: Try a minimal installation first to isolate issues
  4. Report Issues: Create detailed issue reports on the GitHub repository including:
    • Your distribution and version
    • Hyprland version
    • Hardware specifications
    • Steps to reproduce the problem
    • Error messages or logs

This compatibility information helps ensure users understand what systems Noctis-Hypr supports and what to expect from the installation and runtime experience.

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