Best way to change default apps, including browser?

[bragmore]

I've scanned through the documentation, including trying to change default browser as I dont like using chromium which is set by default.

other things Ive tried:

xdg-settings set default-web-browser zen.desktop

as well as changing ~/.config/mimeapps.list to:

text/html=zen.desktop
x-scheme-handler/http=zen.desktop
x-scheme-handler/https=zen.desktop

where are we supposed to change the default browser and other apps that are bound to default keys? for example I'm not using 1 Password, I'm using Proton Pass, etc.

Appreciate the help!

Love omarchy so far.

[khalido]

I think all you need to do is change the bindings.conf file. The omarchy dotfiles page is slightly out of date - I changed the ~/.config/hypr/bindings.conf from

$browser = uwsm app -- chromium --new-window --ozone-platform=wayland

to

$browser = uwsm app -- google-chrome-stable --new-window --ozone-platform=wayland

and the default browser + webapps bindings all open google-chrome - though for a different browser the $browser cmd might be different, chromium/chrome would have the same flags.

When I ran google-chrome for the first time - it said "set as default" which i pressed yes on. I'm not sure what that actually does (being new to linux).

[tighthead3]

Since I prefer Brave browser here is what I did (ez pz):

Step 1: installed Brave
Step 2: type in terminal: nano ~/.config/hypr/bindings.conf
Step 3: you'll see a line: $browser = uwsm app -- chromium --new-window --ozone-platform=wayland
Step 4: change this line to: $browser = uwsm app -- brave --new-window --ozone-platform=wayland
Done: so now the super + B keybind opens Brave as main browser (all my fav bookmarks and extensions work)

Bonus: I also added the Brave app and other apps with small icons to the Walker config file. It's a little more involved but any AI can review the Omarchy github and walk you thru. I am not a Linux power user and it was easy for me.

[jdambron]

Not related to the question. @khalido you may want to check if you have not installed an infected package google-chrome-stable seems to be one.

See https://news.itsfoss.com/arch-linux-spark-rat/ or https://linuxiac.com/arch-aur-under-fire-once-more-as-malware-resurfaces/

Better safe than sorry.

[RoqueRueda]

So I follow the steps from @tighthead3 but for librewolf use this instead:
$browser = uwsm app -- librewolf --new-window
and for wayland you need to set it on /etc/environment
MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1

[xavierlesa]

Wouldn't it be better to let the user choose the desired browsers to install in the install menu?

[gothe92]

I was thinking of an interactive CLI tool, e.g.:

omarchy defaults

that would let users easily change $terminal, $browser, etc. in bindings.conf without manual editing. It would only show apps that are actually installed on the system to avoid the "doesn't work" experience.

Example workflow:

Select default terminal:
[1] Alacritty
[2] Kitty
[3] GNOME Terminal
[4] Other (manual command)

Select default browser:
[1] Chromium
[2] Firefox
[3] Brave
[4] Other (manual command)

This would make it much easier for new users to customize their setup and prevent config syntax errors.

Also thought of integrating this into the existing Omarchy menu system - could add a "Defaults" option under the Setup menu that does the same interactive selection.

[kmf]

@gothe92 have you seen any movement on this?

[pbjorklund]

https://github.com/basecamp/omarchy/blob/3d283eac180933e1381508a3ab775c91cda1affc/bin/omarchy-menu#L38 has hardcoded ref to chromium as well so Learn -> Omarchy breaks if you change browser.

[rajesh-1252]

$browser = uwsm app -- firefox --new-window --ozone-platform=wayland

This works correctly for direct link opens (e.g., Ctrl+B).
However, some actions — like Spotify login — still open Chromium (or whatever the system default is) instead of $browser.

After investigating, it appears these actions use xdg-open internally (e.g., via cmd_alt = "xdg-open ...") rather than $browser.
Since xdg-open uses the system’s default .desktop file, it bypasses the $browser setting entirely.

it would be nice if it use browser variable

[crackiee]

But having the --ozone-platform=wayland parameter with firefox will open an invalid site.

[mrchantey]

I'm on Omarchy v2.1.0 and changed these settings:

# ~/.config/mimeapps.list - replace all chromium.desktop
[Default Applications]
text/html=google-chrome.desktop
x-scheme-handler/http=google-chrome.desktop
x-scheme-handler/https=google-chrome.desktop
x-scheme-handler/about=google-chrome.desktop
x-scheme-handler/unknown=google-chrome.desktop

ctrl+b as well as in-app links are now opening chrome as expected.

[akilesh-io]

I am on Omarchy 3.1.4

To set firefox as default I used this

[Default Applications]

text/html=userapp-Firefox-XVVMF3.desktop
x-scheme-handler/http=userapp-Firefox-XVVMF3.desktop
x-scheme-handler/https=userapp-Firefox-XVVMF3.desktop
x-scheme-handler/about=userapp-Firefox-XVVMF3.desktop
x-scheme-handler/unknown=userapp-Firefox-XVVMF3.desktop

[rezib]

Thanks to omarchy-launch-browser wrapper, changing default browser is as simple as:

$ xdg-settings set default-web-browser firefox.desktop  # or whatever else

[kmf]

should be added to the Manual

[Kholtien]

Thanks heaps! Definitely needs to be added. I prefer Firefox for basically everything, though I understand half of Omarchy doesn't work without chromium due to the need for webapps

[kmf]

@bragmore should mark this as the Correct Answer

[kaizakin]

In my latest version of Omarchy the default browser is configured as :

bindd = SUPER, B, Browser, exec, $browser

So changing the default browser is as simple as going to your desired browser and clicking the make default button.

I saw many people modified the config but this works for me.

[RenzoRichter]

Worked like a charm for me too :)

[OtherCroissant]

Looks like $ xdg-settings set default-web-browser firefox.desktop only changes the browser for the omarchy-launch-browser calls and not for the omarchy-launch-webapp call in the bindings.conf file. If you change the webapp binding to the omarchy-launch-browser call (with $browser <url>) it will open the url in a new browser tab of the existing browser. if you add the --new-window flag, it seems like you have the same behaviour as the omarchy-launch-webapp. Or use the --kiosk flag of firefox. But that will open the page in fullscreen as well. There seems to be no webapp option for firefox.

[palonkochongo]

While using --kiosk opens in full screen, pressing SUPER + v or SUPER + p put it back in windowed mode. I don't know there is a way to open it directly in a windowed mode, but i would be happy to know about it if someone happens to find a solution.

[jordankoehn]

I was playing around with window rules, this didn't work right, it would always start firefox as fullscreen instead of a pretend fullscreen

windowrulev2 = fullscreenstate:0 3, tag:firefox-based-browser

As seen in hyprctl clients

	fullscreen: 3
	fullscreenClient: 0

where it should be the opposite, fullscreen 0 and fullscreenClient 3

If you target the firefox window and manually set the fullscreenstate to 0 3
hyprctl dispatch focuswindow "address:$WINDOW_ADDRESS" && hyprctl dispatch fullscreenstate 0 3 then it does it correctly

I updated omarchy-launch-webapp to open a firefox window as --new-window, then omarchy-launch-or-focus to hopefully grab the window ID and send the dispatch fullscreenstate command. However, when exec is called, nothing after that line will run

[A0D1I2L3]

While using --kiosk opens in full screen, pressing SUPER + v or SUPER + p put it back in windowed mode. I don't know there is a way to open it directly in a windowed mode, but i would be happy to know about it if someone happens to find a solution.

Anyone discovered a fix? currently i am using --new-window flag and modified launch webapp
tried

windowrule = suppressevent maximize, class:firefox
windowrule = suppressevent fullscreen, class:firefox

but that overrides kiosk and brings top bar back

[c0d3h01]

I think thats your aswer, here i put export for browser with firefox

[A0D1I2L3]

That wont work for webapps , like chatgpt or whatsapp or twitter

[c0d3h01]

That wont work for webapps , like chatgpt or whatsapp or twitter

Firefox dosent support web apps that's why there is chromium for webapps

• I think the chromium is also okay for some use case and its totally feels optimized.

• I asked on discord channel for the default browser better way to set firefox somebody says, "can be set from firefox settings making it default launch" and its works actually.

[A0D1I2L3]

* I think the chromium is also okay for some use case and its totally feels optimized.

yeah but the issue is i have to relogin to services ,again in chromium, a one time sacrifice for a good setup tho

[ElhamBadri2411]

• more adblock config :(

[d-cas]

This is the correct way to update/change your desired default browser. Changing the bindings could work. But that could introduce problems. Also, make sure you are using unbind = if you are going to change a default key binding.

[crestanigui]

added a PR that ignores the webapp aspect if default browser doens't support it (like firefox) it just opens the link in a new tab

#2121

[MiguelDebruyne]

I'm using Omarchy 3.0.2.

When you go to .config/hypr/bindings.conf (or menu > setup > config > hyprland) you can see this

# $browser = omarchy-launch-browser

I changed it to

$browser = firefox

and everything works. SUPER B uses firefox and for all the webapps it uses Chromium. Good for me.

But as @c0d3h01 said you can apparantly also set it via `.config/uwsm/default (menu > setup > defaults). Not sure why there are 2 places where you can set it.

[c0d3h01]

Thats not big deal everybody knows that keybinding bro

[murrrda]

I like this solution

[d-cas]

⚠️ Don't Edit bindings.conf Here's the Right Way

Stop editing bindings.conf directly. You're risking system functionality conflicts.

The Correct Solution

Set your browser environment variable in the defaults config where it belongs:

Option 1: GUI

1. Press SUPER + ALT + SPACEBAR
2. Navigate to SETUP > DEFAULTS
3. Add this line at the end:

   export BROWSER=firefox

(or brave, chromium, whatever you're using)

Option 2: Direct File

Edit ~/.config/uwsm/default directly and append:

export BROWSER=firefox

---

That's it. You wont have to wonder why FireFox opens somethings and Chromium opens others.

Stop making your life harder. 🤘

[minimal1]

@codyjgeorge
yes, thats what i did exactly

Detail

1. Remove environment
2. Reboot
3. Run "xdg-setting set default-web-browser {firefox.desktop or firefox}" in terminal

[varn0]

this solution works but you need to relaunch SUPER + ALT + SPACEBAR, then System -> Relaunch

[Crenshinibon]

Is it possible to append command-line parameters to the browser, like "--profile-directory"? I tried and it doesn't seem to work.

[Crenshinibon]

I added it to bindings.conf ... this way it works.

[Skarvion]

Can anyone confirm modifying the default config works? Couldn't get it to work, and haven't try other solution as that means risking a conflict

[Skarvion]

I got it working by setting the default browser using the browser built-in make default browser button

[thejesus567]

I'm using 3.3.3. Running the following command is the only way I found to set a different default browser

xdg-settings set default-web-browser firefox.desktop

I tried setting the $BROWSER environment variable but it didn’t work, and the previous command doesn't work when that variable is set.

[toymanict]

I'm running Omarchy 3.3.3

Tried SETUP > DEFAULTS

Edited .config/uwsm/default

Added line export BROWSER=helium-browser

Restarted computer

• Did not work

Edited .config/hypr/bindings.conf

Edited line bindd = SUPER, B, Browser, exec, heliun-browser

Restarted computer

• Worked

[daveddaved]

Did that affect web-apps?

[Codyn001]

I am on Omarchy 3.3.3, and have been trying to launch Zen Browser via the keyboard shortcut (SUPER SHIFT + b) and it kept failing. So I thought I will write this maybe it will help someone.

To set zen browser as default (I use the flatpak version), navigate to ~/.config/uwsm/default or use the menu (Setup > Config > Defaults), then add the line export BROWSER=app.zen_browser.zen at the end of the file, for the change to take effect you need to restart your computer.

For me using the Browser keybinding (SUPER SHIFT + b) which calls the omarchy-launch-browser script didn't work, because of this line on the script (script found on ~/.local/share/omarchy/bin directory):

browser_exec=$(sed -n 's/^Exec=\([^ ]*\).*/\1/p' {~/.local,~/.nix-profile,/usr}/share/applications/$default_browser 2>/dev/null | head -1)

The app.zen_browser.zen.desktop file existed on /var/lib/flatpak/exports/share/applications directory which the script doesn't check. Also, because the Exec command was of different format this part of the line 's/^Exec=\([^ ]*\).*/\1/p' only took the first part of the Exec command (this issue I didn't understand it very well honestly, thus I can't explain it very well).

So, I changed the line to:

browser_exec=$(sed -n 's/^Exec=//p' \
    {~/.local,~/.nix-profile,/usr,/var/lib/flatpak/exports}/share/applications/"$default_browser" \
    2>/dev/null | head -1 | sed 's/[[:space:]]*@@.*@@$//')

this made the script treat the whole Exec line as a file location, so I needed to change this other line from the script:

exec setsid uwsm-app -- "$browser_exec" "${@/--private/$private_flag}"

to this:

exec setsid uwsm-app -- $(eval echo "$browser_exec") "${@/--private/$private_flag}"

and that was the fix for me, hopefully this will help someone and won't cause issues to anyone!

Note: Web Apps still need Chromium to work, but the "Google" which is the search option on the app launcher does open a new tab on Zen Browser (using Google search engine, ignoring the default option; which to modify you write:

[[entries]]
default = true
name = "DuckDuckGo"
url = "https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%TERM%" 

in the file ~/.config/elephant/websearch.toml, you can read more about it in Walker and Elephant docs).

[MiguelDebruyne]

I installed Zen via the AUR and this is the way I did it:

in .config/hypr/bindings.conf just put this

$browser = zen-browser
bindd = SUPER SHIFT, B, Browser, exec, $browser
bindd = SUPER SHIFT ALT, B, Browser (private), exec, $browser --private-window

Is a bit cleaner!

[lachlanglasgow]

As @Codyn001 mentioned, zens "desktop" name was app.zen_browser.zen.desktop. But I had a much simpler time editing ~/.config/mimeapps.list to the following:

text/html=app.zen_browser.zen.desktop
x-scheme-handler/http=app.zen_browser.zen.desktop
x-scheme-handler/https=app.zen_browser.zen.desktop
x-scheme-handler/about=app.zen_browser.zen.desktop
x-scheme-handler/unknown=app.zen_browser.zen.desktop
...
x-scheme-handler/mailto=app.zen_browser.zen.desktop

Then "sign in" links for web auth'd apps (in my instance - paper dot design) worked flawlessly. Even better - for Zen specifically (and any other browser that doesn't separate 'profiles' into windows) - the external browser opened is restricted to one window. When trying to authenticate an app via Chromium, it'd only open in whatever profile was position 0. Even if that profiles window wasn't open.