ENVariables.conf

Environment variables configuration file that sets up the Wayland environment, toolkit backends, and application-specific settings for optimal compatibility and performance in HyprFlux.

Purpose

• Wayland Environment: Configures Wayland-specific environment variables
• Toolkit Integration: Sets up Qt and GTK toolkit backends
• Application Compatibility: Ensures applications work correctly on Wayland
• Performance Optimization: Configures settings for optimal performance
• Hardware Support: Includes NVIDIA and other hardware-specific settings

File Location

~/.config/hypr/UserConfigs/ENVariables.conf

Configuration Structure

Toolkit Backend Variables

# Toolkit Backend Variables
env = GDK_BACKEND,wayland,x11,*
env = QT_QPA_PLATFORM,wayland;xcb
env = CLUTTER_BACKEND,wayland

GDK Backend (GTK Applications)

env = GDK_BACKEND,wayland,x11,*

• Purpose: Sets backend preference for GTK applications
• Order: Wayland first, X11 fallback, then any available backend
• Affects: All GTK-based applications (Firefox, GNOME apps, etc.)

Qt Platform Abstraction

env = QT_QPA_PLATFORM,wayland;xcb

• Purpose: Configures Qt applications to use Wayland
• Fallback: XCB (X11) if Wayland is not available
• Affects: Qt-based applications (VLC, KDE apps, etc.)

Clutter Backend

env = CLUTTER_BACKEND,wayland

• Purpose: Sets Clutter toolkit to use Wayland
• Affects: Applications using Clutter (some GNOME applications)

SDL Configuration

#Run SDL2 applications on Wayland.
#Remove or set to x11 if games that provide older versions of SDL cause compatibility issues
#env = SDL_VIDEODRIVER,wayland

Purpose: Configures SDL2 applications for Wayland Note: Commented out by default due to compatibility issues with some games Usage: Uncomment for better Wayland integration with SDL2 applications

XDG Specifications

# xdg Specifications
env = XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP,Hyprland
env = XDG_SESSION_DESKTOP,Hyprland
env = XDG_SESSION_TYPE,wayland

Desktop Environment Identification

• XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP: Identifies the desktop environment as Hyprland
• XDG_SESSION_DESKTOP: Sets session desktop to Hyprland
• XDG_SESSION_TYPE: Specifies Wayland as the session type

Importance: These variables help applications adapt their behavior for Hyprland and Wayland.

Qt Variables

# QT Variables
env = QT_AUTO_SCREEN_SCALE_FACTOR,1
env = QT_WAYLAND_DISABLE_WINDOWDECORATION,1
env = QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME,qt5ct
env = QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME,qt6ct

Qt Scaling

env = QT_AUTO_SCREEN_SCALE_FACTOR,1

• Purpose: Controls automatic DPI scaling for Qt applications
• Value: 1 = 100% scaling (no automatic scaling)
• Customization: Set to 1.5 for 150% scaling, 2 for 200% scaling

Window Decorations

env = QT_WAYLAND_DISABLE_WINDOWDECORATION,1

• Purpose: Disables Qt's built-in window decorations on Wayland
• Reason: Hyprland handles window decorations, Qt decorations would conflict

Platform Themes

env = QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME,qt5ct
env = QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME,qt6ct

• Purpose: Sets Qt applications to use qt5ct/qt6ct for theming
• Integration: Works with Qt theming system in HyprFlux

Hyprland Qt Support

# hyprland-qt-support
env = QT_QUICK_CONTROLS_STYLE,org.hyprland.style

• Purpose: Uses Hyprland-specific Qt style
• Requirement: Requires hyprland-qt-support package
• Integration: Provides consistent styling with Hyprland

Scaling Configuration

# xwayland apps scale fix (useful if you are use monitor scaling).
# Set same value if you use scaling in Monitors.conf
# 1 is 100% 1.5 is 150%
# see https://wiki.hyprland.org/Configuring/XWayland/
env = GDK_SCALE,1
env = QT_SCALE_FACTOR,1

Application Scaling

• GDK_SCALE: Controls scaling for GTK applications
• QT_SCALE_FACTOR: Controls scaling for Qt applications
• Coordination: Should match monitor scaling settings

Scaling Examples:

# 100% scaling (default)
env = GDK_SCALE,1
env = QT_SCALE_FACTOR,1

# 125% scaling
env = GDK_SCALE,1.25
env = QT_SCALE_FACTOR,1.25

# 150% scaling (common for 4K displays)
env = GDK_SCALE,1.5
env = QT_SCALE_FACTOR,1.5

# 200% scaling (high DPI)
env = GDK_SCALE,2
env = QT_SCALE_FACTOR,2

Cursor Configuration

# Bibata-Modern-Ice-Cursor
# NOTE! You must have the hyprcursor version to activate this.
# https://wiki.hyprland.org/Hypr-Ecosystem/hyprcursor/
env = HYPRCURSOR_THEME,Bibata-Modern-Classic
env = HYPRCURSOR_SIZE,20

Cursor Theme

env = HYPRCURSOR_THEME,Bibata-Modern-Classic

• Purpose: Sets the cursor theme for Hyprland
• Requirement: Requires hyprcursor-compatible cursor theme
• Alternatives: Bibata-Modern-Ice, Adwaita, breeze_cursors

Cursor Size

env = HYPRCURSOR_SIZE,20

• Purpose: Sets cursor size in pixels
• Common Sizes: 16, 20, 24, 32, 48
• Scaling: Larger sizes for high-DPI displays

Application-Specific Variables

Firefox

# firefox
env = MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND,1

• Purpose: Enables native Wayland support in Firefox
• Benefits: Better performance, proper scaling, Wayland-specific features

Electron Applications

# electron >28 apps (may help) ##
# https://www.electronjs.org/docs/latest/api/environment-variables
env = ELECTRON_OZONE_PLATFORM_HINT,auto # auto selects Wayland if possible, X11 otherwise

• Purpose: Configures Electron applications for Wayland
• Auto Selection: Chooses Wayland when available, falls back to X11
• Affects: VS Code, Discord, Spotify, and other Electron apps

Hardware-Specific Configuration

NVIDIA Configuration

# NVIDIA
# This is from Hyprland Wiki. Below will be activated nvidia gpu detected
# See hyprland wiki https://wiki.hyprland.org/Nvidia/#environment-variables

#env = LIBVA_DRIVER_NAME,nvidia
#env = __GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME,nvidia
#env = NVD_BACKEND,direct
#env = GSK_RENDERER,ngl

# additional ENV's for nvidia. Caution, activate with care
#env = GBM_BACKEND,nvidia-drm

#env = __GL_GSYNC_ALLOWED,1 #adaptive Vsync
#env = __NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD,1
#env = __VK_LAYER_NV_optimus,NVIDIA_only
#env = WLR_DRM_NO_ATOMIC,1

Basic NVIDIA Variables

env = LIBVA_DRIVER_NAME,nvidia          # Hardware video acceleration
env = __GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME,nvidia  # OpenGL vendor library
env = NVD_BACKEND,direct                # NVIDIA direct backend
env = GSK_RENDERER,ngl                  # GTK4 renderer

Advanced NVIDIA Variables

env = GBM_BACKEND,nvidia-drm            # GBM backend (use with caution)
env = __GL_GSYNC_ALLOWED,1              # Enable G-Sync/FreeSync
env = __NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD,1       # PRIME render offloading
env = __VK_LAYER_NV_optimus,NVIDIA_only # Vulkan NVIDIA-only
env = WLR_DRM_NO_ATOMIC,1               # Disable atomic DRM (if needed)

Virtual Machine Configuration

# FOR VM and POSSIBLY NVIDIA
# LIBGL_ALWAYS_SOFTWARE software mesa rendering
#env = LIBGL_ALWAYS_SOFTWARE,1 # Warning. May cause hyprland to crash
#env = WLR_RENDERER_ALLOW_SOFTWARE,1

Software Rendering

env = LIBGL_ALWAYS_SOFTWARE,1      # Force software rendering
env = WLR_RENDERER_ALLOW_SOFTWARE,1 # Allow software rendering in wlroots

• Use Case: Virtual machines, systems without proper GPU drivers
• Warning: May cause performance issues or crashes

Firefox Hardware Acceleration (NVIDIA)

# nvidia firefox (for hardware acceleration on FF)?
# check this post https://github.com/elFarto/nvidia-vaapi-driver#configuration
#env = MOZ_DISABLE_RDD_SANDBOX,1
#env = EGL_PLATFORM,wayland

Firefox NVIDIA Acceleration

env = MOZ_DISABLE_RDD_SANDBOX,1    # Disable RDD sandbox for NVIDIA
env = EGL_PLATFORM,wayland         # Use Wayland EGL platform

Advanced Environment Variables

Aquamarine Environment Variables (Hyprland > 0.45)

#### Aquamarine Environment Variables #### ( Hyprland > 0.45 )
# https://wiki.hyprland.org/Configuring/Environment-variables/#aquamarine-environment-variables
# env = AQ_TRACE,1 # Enables more verbose logging.
# env = AQ_DRM_DEVICES,/dev/dri/card1:/dev/dri/card0 # Set explicit DRM devices
# env = AQ_MGPU_NO_EXPLICIT,1 # Disables explicit syncing on mgpu buffers
# env = AQ_NO_MODIFIERS,1 # Disables modifiers for DRM buffers

Aquamarine Debug Options

env = AQ_TRACE,1                    # Verbose logging
env = AQ_DRM_DEVICES,/dev/dri/card1:/dev/dri/card0  # Explicit GPU order
env = AQ_MGPU_NO_EXPLICIT,1         # Disable explicit sync (multi-GPU)
env = AQ_NO_MODIFIERS,1             # Disable DRM modifiers

Hyprland Environment Variables

#### Hyprland Environment Variables ####
# https://wiki.hyprland.org/Configuring/Environment-variables/#hyprland-environment-variables
# env = HYPRLAND_TRACE,1 # Enables more verbose logging.
# env = HYPRLAND_NO_RT,1 # Disables realtime priority setting by Hyprland.
# env = HYPRLAND_NO_SD_NOTIFY,1 # If systemd, disables the 'sd_notify' calls.
# env = HYPRLAND_NO_SD_VARS,1 # Disables management of variables in systemd and dbus activation environments.

Hyprland Debug and Control

env = HYPRLAND_TRACE,1              # Verbose Hyprland logging
env = HYPRLAND_NO_RT,1              # Disable realtime priority
env = HYPRLAND_NO_SD_NOTIFY,1       # Disable systemd notifications
env = HYPRLAND_NO_SD_VARS,1         # Disable systemd variable management

Customization Examples

High-DPI Setup (4K Monitor)

# Scaling for 4K displays
env = GDK_SCALE,1.5
env = QT_SCALE_FACTOR,1.5
env = QT_AUTO_SCREEN_SCALE_FACTOR,1.5
env = HYPRCURSOR_SIZE,32

Gaming Setup (NVIDIA)

# NVIDIA gaming optimizations
env = LIBVA_DRIVER_NAME,nvidia
env = __GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME,nvidia
env = __GL_GSYNC_ALLOWED,1
env = __NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD,1
env = SDL_VIDEODRIVER,wayland

Development Setup

# Development-focused configuration
env = MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND,1
env = ELECTRON_OZONE_PLATFORM_HINT,wayland
env = QT_QPA_PLATFORM,wayland
env = GDK_BACKEND,wayland

Virtual Machine Setup

# VM-specific configuration
env = LIBGL_ALWAYS_SOFTWARE,1
env = WLR_RENDERER_ALLOW_SOFTWARE,1
env = SDL_VIDEODRIVER,x11

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Applications Not Using Wayland

# Check if variables are set
echo $GDK_BACKEND
echo $QT_QPA_PLATFORM

# Force Wayland for specific application
GDK_BACKEND=wayland firefox

Scaling Issues

# Reset scaling
env = GDK_SCALE,1
env = QT_SCALE_FACTOR,1

# Check current scaling
echo $GDK_SCALE
echo $QT_SCALE_FACTOR

NVIDIA Issues

# Check NVIDIA driver
nvidia-smi

# Test NVIDIA variables
__GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=nvidia glxinfo | grep vendor

Debug Commands

# Check environment variables
env | grep -E "(GDK|QT|XDG|WAYLAND)"

# Test application backends
GDK_BACKEND=wayland gtk3-demo
QT_QPA_PLATFORM=wayland qmlscene

Validation

Test Wayland Integration

# Check if applications are using Wayland
xlsclients  # Should show minimal X11 clients
loginctl show-session $(loginctl show-user $(whoami) -p Sessions --value) -p Type

Best Practices

Configuration Management

Environment-Specific Settings

# Different settings for different systems
if [[ $(hostname) == "gaming-pc" ]]; then
    # NVIDIA gaming setup
    env = __GL_GSYNC_ALLOWED,1
elif [[ $(hostname) == "laptop" ]]; then
    # Power-saving setup
    env = GDK_SCALE,1.25
fi

Conditional NVIDIA Configuration

# Only set NVIDIA variables if NVIDIA GPU is present
if lspci | grep -i nvidia; then
    env = LIBVA_DRIVER_NAME,nvidia
    env = __GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME,nvidia
fi

Performance Optimization

Minimal Configuration

# Essential variables only
env = XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP,Hyprland
env = XDG_SESSION_TYPE,wayland
env = GDK_BACKEND,wayland,x11
env = QT_QPA_PLATFORM,wayland;xcb

Maximum Compatibility

# Full compatibility configuration
env = GDK_BACKEND,wayland,x11,*
env = QT_QPA_PLATFORM,wayland;xcb
env = SDL_VIDEODRIVER,wayland
env = CLUTTER_BACKEND,wayland
env = MOZ_ENABLE_WAYLAND,1
env = ELECTRON_OZONE_PLATFORM_HINT,auto

This environment variables configuration ensures optimal compatibility, performance, and integration of applications within the HyprFlux Wayland desktop environment.