Overview

This project represents the ongoing evolution of my primary development and pentesting environment. It transforms a standard Fedora Workstation installation into a bespoke, high-performance Hyprland (Wayland tiling compositor) setup.

The goal is to create a “futuristic” yet strictly functional interface where every action—from window management to launching security tools—is instantaneous and keyboard-driven. This setup bridges the gap between raw system performance and advanced UI/UX aesthetics.

Problem

Standard Desktop Environments (like GNOME or KDE) often impose rigid workflows that rely heavily on mouse interaction, which breaks the flow state during intense coding or penetration testing sessions. They also consume unnecessary resources and lack the granular control required for a deep system-internal enthusiast.

Solution

The solution is a transition to a Tiling Window Manager (TWM) ecosystem using Hyprland:

  1. Compositor: Using Hyprland for its fluid animations, superior Wayland support, and highly configurable rendering (blur, borders, shadows) that matches a modern aesthetic.
  2. Configuration as Code: All system configurations (Dotfiles) are version-controlled, allowing the entire OS state to be reproducible via script.
  3. Custom Tooling: Replacing standard GUI apps with CLI-first alternatives (e.g., rofi/wofi for launching, waybar for status) styled with CSS to match a coherent design language.

Technologies

  • Core System: Fedora Linux (Rawhide/Workstation).
  • Compositor: Hyprland (C++ based Wayland Compositor).
  • Scripting: Bash (Automation), Python (Complex logic).
  • Styling: CSS (For Waybar and Rofi interfaces).
  • Editors: Vim/Neovim & VS Code (configured for keyboard-only use).

Key Features

  • Hyprland Integration: Dynamic tiling layouts with custom window rules for floating/tiling specific applications.
  • Automated Workflow: Bash scripts to auto-launch workspaces based on context (e.g., “Study Mode”, “Pentest Mode”).
  • Custom Status Bar: A fully programmed Waybar displaying real-time system metrics (CPU/RAM/Net), battery status, and workspace indicators.
  • Hardened Configuration: Minimal install footprint with disabled telemetry and unnecessary services for improved security.

Results

  • Efficiency: Workflow speed increased significantly due to the elimination of mouse dependency for window management.
  • Aesthetics: Achieved a visually stunning, transparent, and blurred UI that serves as a motivational workspace.
  • Performance: Drastic reduction in idle resource usage compared to stock GNOME.