Documentation Index
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Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Better Blur DX can be installed on NixOS using flakes. This provides declarative configuration and reproducible builds.
Installation with Flakes
Add to flake.nix
Add Better Blur DX as an input to your flake.nix:{
inputs = {
nixpkgs.url = "github:nixos/nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";
kwin-effects-better-blur-dx = {
url = "github:xarblu/kwin-effects-better-blur-dx";
inputs.nixpkgs.follows = "nixpkgs";
};
};
}
The inputs.nixpkgs.follows = "nixpkgs" line ensures Better Blur DX uses the same nixpkgs version as your system, preventing duplicate dependencies.
Add to System Packages
Reference the flake input in your system configuration: Wayland (Recommended)
X11
Both
{ inputs, pkgs, ... }:
{
environment.systemPackages = [
inputs.kwin-effects-better-blur-dx.packages.${pkgs.system}.default
];
}
{ inputs, pkgs, ... }:
{
environment.systemPackages = [
inputs.kwin-effects-better-blur-dx.packages.${pkgs.system}.x11
];
}
X11 support is deprecated and not actively tested. Wayland is recommended.
{ inputs, pkgs, ... }:
{
environment.systemPackages = [
inputs.kwin-effects-better-blur-dx.packages.${pkgs.system}.default # Wayland
inputs.kwin-effects-better-blur-dx.packages.${pkgs.system}.x11 # X11
];
}
Rebuild Your System
Apply the configuration:sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#
Enable the Effect
After rebuilding:
- Open System Settings > Desktop Effects
- Disable any existing blur effects
- Enable Better Blur DX
Complete Example
Here’s a complete example showing the flake structure:
{
description = "My NixOS System";
inputs = {
nixpkgs.url = "github:nixos/nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";
kwin-effects-better-blur-dx = {
url = "github:xarblu/kwin-effects-better-blur-dx";
inputs.nixpkgs.follows = "nixpkgs";
};
};
outputs = { self, nixpkgs, kwin-effects-better-blur-dx, ... }@inputs: {
nixosConfigurations.hostname = nixpkgs.lib.nixosSystem {
system = "x86_64-linux";
specialArgs = { inherit inputs; };
modules = [
./configuration.nix
];
};
};
}
{ inputs, pkgs, ... }:
{
# ... other configuration ...
environment.systemPackages = [
inputs.kwin-effects-better-blur-dx.packages.${pkgs.system}.default
# ... other packages ...
];
# ... rest of configuration ...
}
Updating
To update to the latest version of Better Blur DX:
# Update the flake input
nix flake update kwin-effects-better-blur-dx
# Rebuild your system
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#
System Upgrades
Important: After upgrading Plasma or KWin, you may need to rebuild.The effect is compiled against a specific KWin version. After system upgrades that update KWin:# Update and rebuild
nix flake update
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#
Home Manager Integration
You can also install Better Blur DX through Home Manager:
{ inputs, pkgs, ... }:
{
home.packages = [
inputs.kwin-effects-better-blur-dx.packages.${pkgs.system}.default
];
}
Pinning a Specific Version
To pin a specific commit or version:
{
inputs = {
kwin-effects-better-blur-dx = {
url = "github:xarblu/kwin-effects-better-blur-dx/COMMIT_HASH";
inputs.nixpkgs.follows = "nixpkgs";
};
};
}
COMMIT_HASH with the desired Git commit hash or tag.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues:
-
Effect not loading: Verify the package is in your system:
nix-store -q --references /run/current-system | grep better-blur
-
Build failures: Try updating nixpkgs:
nix flake update nixpkgs
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#
-
Version mismatch: Ensure the flake follows your nixpkgs:
inputs.nixpkgs.follows = "nixpkgs"
-
Check build logs: View the build output:
nix build github:xarblu/kwin-effects-better-blur-dx --print-build-logs
Non-Flake Installation
If you’re not using flakes, you can install Better Blur DX using an overlay or by building manually. See the Manual Build guide.
Next Steps
Learn how to configure Better Blur DX in the Configuration section.