update

Author: ChrisTitusTech

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ versions from `config.mk`.
 
 ### Changed
 
+- Make Alacritty the direct `Super`+`X` terminal default for every install
+  profile and Fedora image. Herdr remains available only through explicit
+  `--install-herdr` and `DWM_HERDR=1` opt-ins.
+
 - Move Flatpak and the GTK desktop portal into the recommended Fedora desktop
   layer so AppImage management works in the default X11 session.
 

README.md

@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ before making changes.
 | Profile | Includes |
 | --- | --- |
 | `core` | The X11 session, required dependencies, and one terminal emulator. |
-| `recommended` | The complete everyday desktop, including Alacritty with Herdr, Quickshell, Gear Lever for AppImages, theming, screenshots, audio, and brightness tools. |
+| `recommended` | The complete everyday desktop, including Alacritty, Quickshell, Gear Lever for AppImages, theming, screenshots, audio, and brightness tools. |
 | `full` | The recommended desktop plus optional file-manager, keyring, wallpaper, display-manager, and supported Fedora gaming integrations. |
 
 `maim` is an optional dependency used only by the screenshot hotkeys. If it is
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ runtime dependencies for the X11 desktop and its other managed helpers.
 | Action | Keybind |
 | --- | --- |
 | Open the application launcher | <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>R</kbd> |
-| Open terminal workspace (Herdr when available) | <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>X</kbd> |
+| Open Alacritty terminal | <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>X</kbd> |
 | Open Control Center | <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>F1</kbd> |
 | Show the interactive keybind viewer | <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>/</kbd> |
 | Close the focused window | <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>Q</kbd> |

SPEC.md

@@ -370,12 +370,13 @@ Runtime dependencies are classified as:
   emulator, and the tools required by configured core keybindings. Alacritty
   is the preferred emulator, with the existing supported-terminal fallback
   chain retained when Alacritty is unavailable.
-- Recommended desktop: the Herdr terminal workspace layered over Alacritty,
-  Quickshell, Picom, Feh, Dex, a polkit agent, notification tools, audio
-  controls, screenshot tooling, Nerd/emoji fonts, Flatpak with its GTK portal,
-  and Gear Lever from a user-scoped Flathub remote.
-- Optional: file manager, network tray, theme utilities, display-manager
-  greeter customization, wallpapers, and hardware-specific helpers.
+- Recommended desktop: Alacritty, Quickshell, Picom, Feh, Dex, a polkit agent,
+  notification tools, audio controls, screenshot tooling, Nerd/emoji fonts,
+  Flatpak with its GTK portal, and Gear Lever from a user-scoped Flathub
+  remote.
+- Optional: the Herdr terminal workspace, file manager, network tray, theme
+  utilities, display-manager greeter customization, wallpapers, and
+  hardware-specific helpers.
 
 ### 5.9 System Health Dashboard
 
@@ -539,11 +540,12 @@ configuration and unrelated application configuration by default.
   guidance rather than relying on silent background commands.
 - Error messages must identify the missing command, library, package
   capability, or file and provide the next action.
-- A plain `dwm-terminal` launch must open Herdr inside the selected terminal
-  emulator when Herdr is installed, and otherwise open the emulator directly.
+- The default terminal binding must launch Alacritty directly.
+- A plain `dwm-terminal` launch must open the selected emulator directly unless
+  the user explicitly enables the optional Herdr layer with `DWM_HERDR=1`.
   Explicit terminal arguments such as `dwm-terminal -e command` must bypass
   Herdr so delegated commands retain their existing execution contract.
-- The terminal command must prefer Alacritty, select another installed
+- The `dwm-terminal` helper must prefer Alacritty, select another installed
   supported emulator when needed, and provide a clear configuration path.
 - Font aliases must accommodate common Meslo Nerd Font naming differences.
 - Multi-monitor setup must expose EWMH tags correctly to Quickshell and EWMH
@@ -611,9 +613,9 @@ On the supported Fedora release:
 In a real or nested X11 session:
 
 - dwm starts and can launch a terminal.
-- With Herdr installed, the default terminal binding opens Herdr inside
-  Alacritty. Without Herdr, the same binding opens the selected emulator
-  directly, and explicit `dwm-terminal -e` commands bypass Herdr in both cases.
+- The default terminal binding opens Alacritty directly even when Herdr is
+  installed. With `DWM_HERDR=1`, a plain `dwm-terminal` command opens Herdr
+  inside Alacritty; explicit `dwm-terminal -e` commands still bypass Herdr.
 - Tiling, floating, tags, focus, and close-window actions work.
 - Runtime TOML configuration loads and reloads.
 - A display-manager session and `startx` path both launch.

config/hotkeys.toml

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 # Define shortcuts here, then use $name in any exec or cmd value below.
 
 [vars]
-terminal = "dwm-terminal"
+terminal = "alacritty"
 webapp   = "webapp-launch"
 
 # ── KEYBINDINGS ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ keys = [
 
   # ── Launchers ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
   { mod="SUPER",            key="r",       desc="App launcher",            func="spawn",       cmd="quickshell ipc --path \"${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/quickshell/shell.qml\" call launcher toggle" },
-  { mod="SUPER",            key="x",       desc="Terminal workspace (Herdr when available)", func="spawn",       exec=["$terminal"] },
+  { mod="SUPER",            key="x",       desc="Terminal",                 func="spawn",       exec=["$terminal"] },
   { mod="SUPER",            key="w",       desc="Looking Glass (VM)",      func="spawn",       cmd="looking-glass-client -F" },
   { mod="SUPER SHIFT",      key="w",       desc="Randomize wallpaper",     func="spawn",       cmd="dwm-quickshell-controlcenter action reload-wallpaper" },
 

docs/src/configuration.md

@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ Add or change bindings without recompiling. Save the file and they apply instant
 
 ```toml
 [vars]
-terminal = "dwm-terminal"
+terminal = "alacritty"
 webapp   = "webapp-launch"
 
 keys = [
@@ -73,19 +73,19 @@ keys = [
 ]
 ```
 
-`dwm-terminal` prefers Alacritty and opens Herdr inside it for a plain
-interactive launch. If Herdr is unavailable, it opens the selected emulator
-directly. Explicit arguments such as `dwm-terminal -e command` always bypass
-Herdr so application launchers and maintenance actions keep working.
+The default binding launches Alacritty directly. The `dwm-terminal` helper is
+available to delegated tools that need a terminal selection fallback; it also
+prefers Alacritty and opens the emulator directly by default. Explicit
+arguments such as `dwm-terminal -e command` retain their direct execution
+contract.
 
 Thunar's seeded **Open Terminal Here** action launches Alacritty directly in
-the selected directory. It intentionally bypasses Herdr while leaving the
-normal `Super` + `X` terminal workspace unchanged. Existing Thunar custom
-actions are preserved during installation and upgrades.
+the selected directory, matching the normal `Super` + `X` default. Existing
+Thunar custom actions are preserved during installation and upgrades.
 
-Set `DWM_TERMINAL` to choose another outer emulator, set `DWM_HERDR=0` to
-disable the Herdr layer, or set `DWM_HERDR_COMMAND` to another Herdr binary
-path.
+Set `DWM_TERMINAL` to choose another emulator for `dwm-terminal`. Herdr is an
+optional layer: install it explicitly, set `DWM_HERDR=1`, and run
+`dwm-terminal`. Set `DWM_HERDR_COMMAND` to select a different Herdr binary.
 
 Default applications use freedesktop settings. Run `dwm-default-apps browsers`
 to list browser desktop files, `dwm-default-apps set-browser firefox.desktop`

docs/src/getting-started.md

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ Press <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>/</kbd> at any time to open the interactive keybin
 
 | Action | Keys |
 |--------|------|
-| Open terminal workspace (Herdr when available) | `Super` + `X` |
+| Open Alacritty terminal | `Super` + `X` |
 | App launcher (Quickshell) | `Super` + `R` |
 | Close window | `Super` + `Q` |
 | Power menu | `Super` + `Ctrl` + `Q` |

docs/src/install.md

@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ curl -fsSL https://christitus.com/linux | sh
 In the TUI, press `v` to multi-select, then select **dwm**, **bash prompt**,
 and **alacritty**. Press `Enter` to install.
 
-Current dwm-titus installs provide the checksum-verified Herdr helper. Run it
-after the Linutil path:
+Herdr is optional. To add its checksum-verified helper after the Linutil path,
+run:
 
 ```bash
 install-herdr
@@ -35,12 +35,11 @@ package names from the shared map:
 ./install.sh --profile full
 ```
 
-Use `core` for the required build/X11/session packages and one terminal
-emulator, `recommended` for the desktop layer plus Herdr on top of Alacritty,
-or `full` for optional extras such as file-manager integration,
-keyring login integration, wallpapers, and display-manager setup. On x86_64
-Fedora, `full` can also install Steam, Gamescope, GameMode, and MangoHud after
-repository approval.
+Use `core` for the required build/X11/session packages and Alacritty,
+`recommended` for the complete desktop layer, or `full` for optional extras
+such as file-manager integration, keyring login integration, wallpapers, and
+display-manager setup. On x86_64 Fedora, `full` can also install Steam,
+Gamescope, GameMode, and MangoHud after repository approval.
 The installer separately asks before enabling the `christitustech/copr-fedora`
 COPR for patched Gamescope and RPM Fusion nonfree for Steam. Declining skips the
 gaming subset without affecting other full-profile extras.
@@ -99,16 +98,16 @@ done
 This repair is intentionally non-recursive so it does not change unrelated
 user files.
 
-Recommended and full profiles install Herdr as the default interactive
-workspace inside Alacritty. The repository downloads the official
+Every profile and Fedora image defaults to Alacritty without Herdr. With the
+explicit `--install-herdr` option, the repository downloads the official
 `https://herdr.dev/install.sh` into an isolated staging directory and verifies
 repository-pinned SHA-256 checksums for both that installer and its resulting
 Herdr binary before copying it into `~/.local/bin`. A checksum mismatch or
-network failure leaves Alacritty usable and reports that Herdr was skipped.
-When the `codex` or `claude` command is already available, the helper also runs
-Herdr's matching `integration install` command so native Codex and Claude Code
-sessions can be restored. Integration failures are reported separately from
-binary installation failures.
+network failure leaves Alacritty usable and reports the Herdr failure. When the
+`codex` or `claude` command is already available, the helper also runs Herdr's
+matching `integration install` command so native Codex and Claude Code sessions
+can be restored. Integration failures are reported separately from binary
+installation failures.
 
 When matching vendor XDG entries exist for Picom, the polkit agent, or Light
 Locker, the installer copies each entry to the user autostart directory and
@@ -118,14 +117,14 @@ existing user entries are preserved.
 
 Installer package profiles are selected with `DWM_INSTALL_PROFILE`:
 
-- `core`: required build packages, X11/session runtime, and one supported
-  terminal emulator. Herdr is skipped unless `--install-herdr` is provided.
+- `core`: required build packages, X11/session runtime, and Alacritty. Herdr is
+  skipped unless `--install-herdr` is provided.
 - `recommended`: `core` plus the recommended desktop layer such as Quickshell,
-  Herdr on top of Alacritty, Picom, Feh, Dex, fonts, theming, screenshot,
-  audio, Bluetooth control and tray tools, brightness tools, Flatpak, and the
-  GTK desktop portal. It also adds Flathub for the target user, installs Gear
-  Lever as the default AppImage manager, installs the available Fedora GTK
-  theme packages, and installs Nordic system-wide for the default Nord theme.
+  Picom, Feh, Dex, fonts, theming, screenshot, audio, Bluetooth control and
+  tray tools, brightness tools, Flatpak, and the GTK desktop portal. It also
+  adds Flathub for the target user, installs Gear Lever as the default AppImage
+  manager, installs the available Fedora GTK theme packages, and installs
+  Nordic system-wide for the default Nord theme.
 - `full`: `recommended` plus optional extras such as Thunar with SMB-share
   browsing, network tray utilities, keyring login integration,
   wallpapers, and display-manager setup. x86_64 Fedora full installs also
@@ -164,24 +163,21 @@ packaging checks, or scripted validation, use the non-interactive flags:
 Without `--enable-fedora-gaming-repos`, unattended Fedora full installs skip
 Steam, Gamescope, GameMode, and MangoHud rather than changing repository trust.
 
-Use `--skip-herdr` or `DWM_INSTALL_HERDR=false` to skip Herdr installation.
-These installation controls do not disable a Herdr executable that is already
-available; set `DWM_HERDR=0` in the session environment to bypass an existing
-Herdr installation at runtime. Use `--install-herdr` or
-`DWM_INSTALL_HERDR=true` to include Herdr with the core profile. Automatic
-recommended/full-profile installation is limited to x86_64 and aarch64 because
-those are the Linux architectures published by Herdr. Herdr can also be
-installed or repaired separately:
+Herdr is skipped for every profile unless `--install-herdr` or
+`DWM_INSTALL_HERDR=true` is provided. Its published Linux binaries support
+x86_64 and aarch64. Installation alone does not change the terminal default;
+set `DWM_HERDR=1` and run `dwm-terminal` to enter the optional workspace.
+Herdr can also be installed or repaired separately:
 
 ```bash
 install-herdr
 install-herdr --force
 ```
 
 Upgrades preserve an existing `hotkeys.toml`. If an earlier installer seeded
-its `terminal` variable to `alacritty`, `kitty`, or another direct terminal,
-the installer prints the exact change needed to use `dwm-terminal` and Herdr
-from Super+X without overwriting that user-owned file.
+its `terminal` variable to `dwm-terminal`, set it to `alacritty` to adopt the
+current direct-terminal default. The installer does not overwrite that
+user-owned choice.
 
 ## Starting dwm
 
@@ -260,7 +256,8 @@ sessions, and minimal Fedora qualification. It keeps only:
 - an X11 server and either a display-manager session or `startx`
 - D-Bus session support
 - `dwm`
-- one supported terminal available through `dwm-terminal`
+- Alacritty as the default terminal, with `dwm-terminal` available to delegated
+  tools that require fallback selection
 - required X11 helpers used by core startup and display commands, such as
   `xrandr`, `xset`, and `xsetroot`
 
@@ -291,6 +288,6 @@ dwm-terminal --print-command
 
 `dwm-diagnostics` must report zero required failures before treating the
 minimal profile as ready. Optional degraded features can remain unresolved.
-When Herdr is installed, a plain `dwm-terminal` opens it in Alacritty. Commands
-such as `dwm-terminal -e sh -c 'command'` bypass Herdr and run directly in the
-outer emulator.
+The default binding opens Alacritty directly. A plain `dwm-terminal` also opens
+the selected emulator directly unless `DWM_HERDR=1` explicitly enables Herdr.
+Commands such as `dwm-terminal -e sh -c 'command'` always bypass Herdr.

docs/src/keybinds.md

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Bindings are defined in `config/hotkeys.toml` and reload instantly on save — n
 | Keys | Action |
 |------|--------|
 | `Super` + `R` | App launcher (Quickshell) |
-| `Super` + `X` | Terminal workspace (Herdr when available) |
+| `Super` + `X` | Alacritty terminal |
 | `Super` + `E` | File manager |
 | `Super` + `B` | Browser |
 | `Super` + `/` | Keybind viewer |
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ Edit `config/hotkeys.toml` — changes take effect on save, no recompile require
 
 ```toml
 [vars]
-terminal = "dwm-terminal"
+terminal = "alacritty"
 
 keys = [
   { mod="SUPER SHIFT", key="f", desc="Firefox", func="spawn", exec=["firefox"] },
@@ -139,5 +139,6 @@ See the comments in `hotkeys.toml` for a full list of `func` values and modifier
 The browser binding uses `dwm-default-apps open`. Configure it with
 `dwm-default-apps browsers` and `dwm-default-apps set-browser <desktop-id>`.
 
-The default `dwm-terminal` wrapper opens Herdr inside Alacritty when Herdr is
-installed. Set `DWM_HERDR=0` to keep the same binding as a plain terminal.
+The default binding launches Alacritty directly. To use the optional Herdr
+workspace, install it explicitly, change the binding to `dwm-terminal`, and
+set `DWM_HERDR=1` in the session environment.

docs/src/troubleshooting.md

@@ -54,20 +54,17 @@ Or use the [Control Center](./control-center.md) → **System Health**.
 
 ## Terminal Won't Open (`Super`+`X`)
 
-- Run `dwm-terminal` from an existing shell to see the exact fallback message
-- Run `install-herdr --force` if Alacritty opens but Herdr does not
-- Set `DWM_HERDR=0` to confirm the outer terminal works without Herdr
-- Install a supported terminal: `alacritty`, `kitty`, `st`,
-  `warp-terminal`, or `xterm`
-- Or set a fixed terminal in `config/hotkeys.toml`:
+- Run `alacritty` from an existing shell to inspect its error directly
+- Install Alacritty with `sudo dnf install alacritty`
+- Confirm the fixed terminal in `config/hotkeys.toml`:
   ```toml
   [vars]
   terminal = "alacritty"
   ```
 
-Herdr is a terminal workspace, not a graphical terminal emulator. The default
-stack is Herdr running inside Alacritty. X11 therefore reports the window class
-as `Alacritty`, which is already covered by the terminal swallowing rules.
+Herdr is an optional terminal workspace, not a graphical terminal emulator.
+Install it explicitly and use `DWM_HERDR=1 dwm-terminal` to run it inside
+Alacritty. The default `Super`+`X` binding remains plain Alacritty.
 
 ## Browser Won't Open (`Super`+`B`)
 

dwm-fedora-nvidia.ks

@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ chown -R "$target_user:$target_group" "$target_repo_dir"
 install -m 0440 /dev/null "$install_sudoers"
 printf '%s ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL\n' "$target_user" > "$install_sudoers"
 
-su - "$target_user" -c 'cd "$HOME/.local/share/dwm-titus" && ./install.sh --non-interactive --profile core --install-herdr'
+su - "$target_user" -c 'cd "$HOME/.local/share/dwm-titus" && ./install.sh --non-interactive --profile core'
 su - "$target_user" -c 'cd "$HOME/.local/share/dwm-titus" && scripts/install-gearlever'
 
 if getent group gamemode >/dev/null 2>&1; then