Omarchy 4.0 is now available as the biggest update to date for this Arch Linux-based distribution, which aims to offer a modern and highly customized desktop environment built around Hyprland. Known internally as Omarchy 4 "Quattro ," this version completely rebuilds the desktop layer using Quickshell, and also introduces significant improvements to the installer, package management, network management, and customization options.
The most profound change affects the user interface. Omarchy abandons the combination of numerous independent components it previously used and replaces them with a single desktop layer based on Quickshell . The result is a more integrated and coherent architecture, with all the main elements managed from a single process and through a plugin system.
Omarchy 4.0 rewrites the entire desktop with Quickshell
The main new feature of Omarchy 4.0 is the complete rebuild of its desktop shell using Quickshell. The toolbar, launcher, menus, notifications, on-screen indicators, settings panels, lock screen, and Polkit agent are now all part of a single, long-running process.
This change replaces standalone tools like Waybar, Walker, Mako, SwayOSD, hyprlock, hypridle, swaybg, and polkit-gnome. Instead, Omarchy uses a coherent, fully themed, and IPC-controlled layer with a plugin-based architecture. This allows different interface elements to be integrated seamlessly without relying on so many separate components.
The new bar is also modular and incorporates various interactive widgets. These include workspaces, the active window, a clock, weather information, multimedia controls via MPRIS, the system tray, battery status, keyboard layout, microphone information, and various status indicators.
A unified menu to replace the old launcher
Omarchy 4.0 also reorganizes how you access system applications and functions. The project integrates the launcher into a unified menu, accessible via Super + Space . This menu incorporates nested search and consolidates functions that were previously spread across different components.
The new architecture also allows for numerous interface modifications without the need for external tools. The bar can be positioned at the top, bottom, left, or right of the screen and supports transparency. Dedicated panels for services like Tailscale and Dropbox are also included, along with a new weather panel with configurable placement.
The theming system also gains flexibility. Omarchy 4.0 expands the number of base colors from eight to 24 , allowing for the automatic generation of consistent themes for applications such as btop, Neovim, and Visual Studio Code.
Omarchy 4.0 significantly improves the installer
Another important new feature in this version is the installation process. Omarchy 4.0 now includes support for installations on dual-boot systems when sufficient free space is available, thus facilitating coexistence with other operating systems.
The project warns that users with Windows installed must disable BitLocker before using this method. An option has also been added to prepare a computer for a new owner directly during installation, intended especially for manufacturers, distributors, or users who want to deliver a pre-configured computer.
The new installations also include a factory reset function. From the setup menu, you can use Setup > Reset Computer to return the equipment to a state suitable for sale or for giving it to someone else.
The Omarchy ISO is now smaller and installation is faster.
The Omarchy team has also worked on reducing the size of the installation image. The Omarchy 4.0 ISO now occupies less than 6 GB, after being reduced by more than one gigabyte compared to previous versions.
The installation process has also been accelerated. According to data provided by the project itself, the process is approximately 30% faster , to the point that on certain devices, installations can be achieved in less than a minute.
The project has also reorganized some of its internal components. Omarchy's own elements are now moved from the Git repository directly into system packages, with the aim of more securely separating user modifications from files managed by the distribution.
More personalization and new apps
The update significantly expands desktop customization options. Text scaling can be adjusted from the display panel and applied consistently to the shell, GTK applications, and terminals.
Omarchy 4.0 also incorporates a plugin system that opens the door to an ecosystem of extensions for the new desktop layer. This allows for expanding the interface's functionality without having to directly modify the core of the Quickshell-based shell.
Among the new applications included by default are Omawrite, Omacut and Omacalc , tools developed to be part of Omarchy's own suite of applications.
NetworkManager replaces the previous system for the network
Network connection management also receives a major update. Omarchy 4.0 now uses NetworkManager for its new network dashboard, aiming for greater compatibility with different hardware and network configurations.
This change aligns with the overall philosophy of this version: instead of maintaining separate components to provide each desktop function, Omarchy aims to integrate them into a more coherent architecture. The new Quickshell implementation acts as a central hub from which many of these functions can be managed.
Omarchy 4.0 also updates its integration with Hyprland
The distribution continues to use Hyprland as its compositor and window manager, but Omarchy 4.0 adapts its configuration to the new model for this component. Hyprland's configurations have been converted to Lua to provide full compatibility with Hyprland 0.56.
This allows for tight integration between the compositor and the rest of the desktop without relying on legacy configurations. The combination of Hyprland and Quickshell now forms the foundation upon which Omarchy builds its desktop experience.
Omarchy 4.0 is the biggest update to the distribution
With Omarchy 4.0 , the project doesn't just update packages or introduce minor visual improvements. This version rebuilds a fundamental part of the distribution and changes the architecture used to provide virtually the entire graphical interface.
The adoption of Quickshell consolidates the toolbar, launcher, notifications, panels, lock screen, and other elements into a unified and extensible shell. This is complemented by a new installer with dual-boot support, a smaller ISO size, faster installation, NetworkManager, a plugin system, and new customization options.
Omarchy 4.0 is now available for new installations and also allows existing installations to be upgraded to the Quattro version using the distribution's own tools. The project recommends backing up important data before upgrading, especially considering the extent of the changes introduced in this version.