Niri

For most users, only a few files need to be changed after installation. The sections below cover the most common ones.

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Main Configuration

The config.kdl file is the entry point for the entire Niri configuration. It loads all of the modules used by Noctara Dots.

//===================\\
//      MODULES      \\
//===================\\

// Core (It's recommended to check these files and adjust them for your hardware)
include "./modules/input.kdl"        // Mouse and input devices
include "./modules/monitors.kdl"     // Monitors and output devices
include "./modules/env.kdl"          // Environment variables

// Startup
include "./modules/autostarts.kdl"

// Appearance
include "./modules/animations.kdl"
include "./modules/decorations.kdl"  // Blur behavior
include "./modules/layer-rules.kdl"  // Shell rules

// Behavior
include "./modules/keybinds.kdl"      // Change them to your preferred applications
include "./modules/window-rules.kdl"  // Window behavior

NOTE

Keep the layout section inside config.kdl.

Moving it into a separate module currently causes border rendering and theme issues when using Noctalia Shell.

If you are not using Noctalia Shell, you are free to move it into its own module.

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Monitor Configuration

The monitor configuration is located in:

modules/monitors.kdl

This is usually the first file you should edit after installation.

Update the monitor name, resolution, refresh rate, scaling, rotation, and position to match your hardware.

Example:

output "eDP-1" {
    // Uncomment to disable this output
    // off

    mode "1366x768@60.004"

    // Can use integer or fractional scale
    scale 1

    // normal, 90, 180, 270,
    // flipped, flipped-90, flipped-180 and flipped-270.
    transform "normal"

    position x=0 y=0
}

If you're unsure about your monitor name or supported resolutions, you can check them using:

niri msg outputs

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Environment Variables

Environment variables are configured in:

modules/env.kdl

This file controls things like your cursor theme, cursor size, and other desktop environment variables.

Example:

environment {
    QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME "qt6ct"

    XCURSOR_THEME "Bibata-Modern-Classic"
    XCURSOR_SIZE "24"

    GTK_CURSOR_THEME "Bibata-Modern-Classic"
}

cursor {
    xcursor-theme "Bibata-Modern-Classic"
    xcursor-size 24
}

TIP

Make sure the cursor theme you choose is actually installed on your system.

Noctara Dots uses Bibata Modern Classic by default, but you can replace it with any cursor theme you prefer by simply changing the theme name.

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Laptop Lid Behavior

Laptop lid actions are configured inside:

modules/env.kdl

By default, Noctara Dots can lock the session and suspend the system whenever the laptop lid is closed.

Example:

switch-events {
    lid-close {
        spawn "noctalia" "msg" "session" "lock-and-suspend"
    }
}

This provides a nice laptop experience by automatically:

• 🔒 Locking the current session
• 😴 Suspending the laptop

WARNING

If this doesn't work correctly, your system's login manager may already be handling lid events before Niri receives them.

You may need to edit your logind.conf and set:

HandleLidSwitch=ignore
HandleLidSwitchExternalPower=ignore

NOTE

The configuration file is usually located at:

• /etc/systemd/logind.conf
• /etc/elogind/logind.conf

If you can't find it, run:

find / -name "logind.conf" 2>/dev/null

After making changes, restart the login manager or simply reboot your system.

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That's all you should need to change for a typical installation.