After years of using Windows (from Vista to Windows 11), I decided to switch to Linux. In this article, I wanted to document my journey, the challenges I faced, and why I'm not looking back.

Why I Made the Switch

Several sources motivated me to try Linux:

• Self-hosting ambitions: I wanted to learn server management for my projects.

• Developer inspiration: Seeing respected developers like Prime, Teej, DHH, and colleagues advocating for Linux

• Windows frustrations: Tired of several development environment issues in Windows and WSL not working as expected.

• Control seeking: Wanting to better understand and manage my system.

• Microsoft concerns: I’m not a fan of their direction with ads in the system UI and forced AI integrations.

Getting Started on Linux with Omakub

DHH's Omakub project provided the perfect entry point - a preconfigured Ubuntu installation for web developers. This checked off a couple of boxes for me:

• I chose Ubuntu as the base distro, aligning with my server use.

• Tweaked Gnome UI optimized for keyboard-first usage and window-tiling

• Nice terminal experience with Alacritty and Zellij as a terminal multiplexer.

• Useful pre-installed and configured terminal tools like eza, fzf, and zoxide.

The installation experience was smooth. It was a well-designed, visually appealing OS that made the transition nearly effortless. I didn't miss Windows features or patterns. I installed Linux with a dual-boot setup to keep Windows for fallback on applications not working on Linux and gaming.

Down the Rabbit Hole: Switching to Hyprland

After getting comfortable with Linux, I saw a colleague and YouTubers using Hyprland as their tiling window manager. Watching them navigate beautiful screens and windows sparked my interest. I wanted more control over navigation, sizing, and visuals than GNOME provided.

After researching reviews and configuration guides, I decided to jump in:

• I backed up my important files from my Omakub instance.

• Used a preconfigured installation script to avoid starting from scratch. Thanks JaKooLit / Hyprland-Dots

• Started tweaking the well-organized and documented Hyprland configuration immediately.

The Perks of Linux & Hyprland

After a few months, I realized I couldn’t return to Windows as my daily driver:

• Terminal confidence: I’m no longer intimidated by the command line, I understood more commands and their usage - a crucial skill for server management.

• Terminal preference: I started preferring terminal over GUIs for many tasks, as it was faster and more efficient.

• Speed improvements: My workflow became significantly faster with keyboard-focused navigation and custom workspaces.

• Customization: The ability to optimize every detail to my preferences and workflow.

The Downsides

More control means less guidance, which introduces challenges:

• Software compatibility: No Adobe suite (I unsubscribed due to infrequent use)

• Gaming limitations: Most games don't work. (solved by dual-booting to Windows)

• Hardware issues: I couldn't get my printer working on Linux.

• Workflow hiccups: Custom fonts in Figma are difficult to get working (I use Windows for this when needed)

• Stability concerns: Hyprland is still in alpha, so some features may break unexpectedly.

Advice for Linux Explorers

If you're considering a similar path:

• Be patient and approach problems with a learning mindset.

• Start with Omakub for a smoother transition without extensive setup.

• Dual-boot with Windows for tasks that are not compatible with Linux.

• Debugging and configuration are part of the process.

Switching to Linux and diving into configuration has made me a better developer. I've learned valuable skills for my career, and I'm grateful I made the switch when I did.