Omarchy: A New Arch Linux Distro from 37signals

Sep 13, 2025 · 5 min read

Omarchy: A New Arch Linux Distro from 37signals

If you’ve ever spent a weekend configuring Arch Linux with Hyprland, you know the drill: hours of editing config files, installing packages one by one, and troubleshooting display issues. What if you could skip all that and get a polished, keyboard-driven development environment in minutes?

Enter Omarchy 2.0, an opinionated Arch Linux distribution from 37signals that transforms a bare Arch installation into a complete development workstation with a single command. This article explores what makes Omarchy different from a DIY Arch setup, its installation options, and why it’s gaining traction among developers who want Arch’s power without the setup complexity.

Key Takeaways

Omarchy 2.0 provides a pre-configured Arch Linux environment with Hyprland, eliminating hours of manual setup
Installation takes 15-30 minutes via ISO or a single command for existing Arch systems
The distribution emphasizes keyboard-driven workflows with the Super key as the command center
Ships with a curated selection of development tools, productivity apps, and 11 synchronized themes
Best suited for developers and technical creators willing to adopt its opinionated choices

What is Omarchy 2.0?

Omarchy is an “omakase” Linux distribution created by David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH), the creator of Ruby on Rails and co-founder of 37signals. The term “omakase” comes from Japanese cuisine, meaning “I’ll leave it up to you” – trusting the chef to serve their best selection.

Applied to Linux, this philosophy means Omarchy 2.0 makes thoughtful choices about packages, configurations, and workflows so you don’t have to. Built on Arch Linux with the Hyprland tiling window manager, it ships as a complete system designed for developers, writers, and technical creators who value both aesthetics and productivity.

Unlike minimal Arch installations that start with nothing, Omarchy includes everything from Neovim and Spotify to Chromium and LibreOffice. But it’s not just a package bundle – it’s a cohesive system where every component works together out of the box.

Omarchy 2.0 vs Bare Arch + Hyprland: Key Differences

Setting up Arch Linux with Hyprland manually requires significant time investment. You need to configure display servers, install window manager dependencies, set up fonts, configure keybindings, and integrate dozens of tools. A typical setup can take 4-8 hours for experienced users, much longer for newcomers.

Omarchy 2.0 eliminates this overhead by providing:

Pre-configured Hyprland with sensible keybindings and window rules
Integrated development tools with consistent theming
Unified configuration system accessible through a central menu
Opinionated defaults that prioritize keyboard-driven workflows
Automatic theme synchronization across terminal, editor, and system applications

The opinionated nature means certain decisions are made for you. For example, Caps Lock becomes a compose key for quick emoji input, the Super key drives all navigation, and Alacritty serves as the default terminal. While these choices might not suit everyone, they create a consistent, productive environment from the start.

Installation Options for Omarchy 2.0

ISO Installation Method

The recommended approach uses the Omarchy ISO, which provides a streamlined installation experience:

Download the Omarchy Online ISO from omarchy.org
Create a bootable USB using balenaEtcher or similar tools
Disable Secure Boot and TPM in your BIOS
Boot from the USB and follow the configuration prompts

The installer enforces full-disk encryption using LUKS and requires a dedicated drive – dual-booting on a single drive isn’t supported. Installation typically takes 15-30 minutes depending on internet speed.

One-Command Script Installation

For existing Arch installations, Omarchy 2.0 offers a transformation script:

wget -qO- https://omarchy.org/install | bash

This method requires a fresh Arch installation without any desktop environment. The script handles all package installation, configuration file setup, and system integration automatically. It’s particularly useful for virtual machines or systems where you can’t use the ISO.

The Keyboard-Driven Workflow in Omarchy 2.0

Everything in Omarchy happens through the keyboard. When the system starts, the mouse becomes secondary until you learn the keybindings. The Super key (Windows key on most keyboards) serves as the command center:

Super + Space: Application launcher
Super + Alt + Space: Omarchy control menu
Super + B: Launch browser
Super + Return: Open terminal
Super + Arrow Keys: Navigate between windows
Super + W: Close window
Super + 1/2/3/4: Switch workspaces

The Hyprland tiling manager automatically arranges windows for optimal screen usage. New windows tile alongside existing ones, and you can switch between horizontal and vertical layouts with Super + J. This approach eliminates window overlap and maximizes screen real estate.

Pre-Installed Tools and Applications

Development Environment

Omarchy 2.0 ships with a comprehensive development setup:

Neovim with LazyVim configuration for modern IDE features
Terminal tools: fzf for fuzzy finding, ripgrep for fast searching, zoxide for smart directory navigation
Version control: Git with Lazygit TUI
Containers: Docker with Lazydocker for management
Language support: Easy installation for Ruby, Node.js, Python, Rust, and Go environments

Productivity Applications

Beyond development tools, Omarchy includes:

Obsidian for markdown-based note-taking
Typora for distraction-free writing
LibreOffice for document compatibility
Web apps: Pre-configured shortcuts for Slack, Discord, ChatGPT, and more
Media: Spotify, VLC, and basic image editing tools

Themes and Customization in Omarchy 2.0

Omarchy ships with eleven pre-configured themes that synchronize across all applications. Switching themes with Super + Ctrl + Shift + Space updates:

Terminal colors and fonts
Neovim syntax highlighting
System notifications and bars
Application launcher appearance
Lock screen styling

Popular themes include Tokyo Night, Catppuccin, Gruvbox, and Everforest. Each theme includes multiple background images you can cycle through with Super + Ctrl + Space.

For customization, all configuration files live in ~/.config. You can modify keybindings, add custom themes, change fonts, or adjust any behavior while maintaining the integrated feel of the system.

What’s New in Omarchy 2.0

The 2.0 release brings significant polish over the original script-based approach:

Custom package repository for Omarchy-specific packages and updates
Refined installer with better hardware detection and error handling
Starship prompt integration for an informative yet minimal terminal experience
Expanded application defaults including development tools and productivity apps
Improved update mechanism that preserves user customizations while updating system components

These improvements make Omarchy 2.0 more reliable and easier to maintain long-term.

Who Should Use Omarchy 2.0?

Omarchy appeals to several groups:

Developers who want a productive Linux environment without configuration overhead
Arch-curious users who find vanilla Arch too time-consuming to set up
Keyboard enthusiasts ready to embrace a mouse-free workflow
Technical writers and creators who appreciate the distraction-free environment

The learning curve is real – especially if you’re new to tiling window managers or vim-style editing. But for those willing to invest a few days learning the keybindings and workflow, Omarchy offers a uniquely efficient computing experience.

Conclusion

Omarchy 2.0 represents a thoughtful middle ground in the Linux ecosystem. It provides Arch Linux’s cutting-edge packages and flexibility while eliminating the setup complexity that deters many potential users. By making opinionated choices about tools and workflows, it delivers a cohesive system that’s immediately productive.

Whether Omarchy’s opinions align with your preferences depends on your willingness to embrace its keyboard-centric philosophy and curated toolset. For developers and technical creators seeking a beautiful, efficient Linux environment without the configuration burden, Omarchy 2.0 offers a compelling option worth exploring.

FAQs

The ISO installer requires a dedicated drive and doesn't support dual-booting on a single drive. However, you can dual-boot across multiple drives or use the script installation method on an existing Arch partition.

Omarchy uses a custom package repository that separates system updates from user configurations. Running system updates through pacman or the Omarchy control menu preserves your custom settings in the .config directory.

While Omarchy simplifies Arch setup, it assumes comfort with keyboard-driven interfaces and command-line tools. Beginners might find distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora more approachable before transitioning to Omarchy's workflow.

Yes, Omarchy is still Arch Linux underneath. You can uninstall unwanted packages with pacman and install alternatives. Just be aware that removing core components might break theme synchronization or other integrated features.

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