https://github.com/fiftydinar/xfce-aerolike
Aero-like XFCE custom image based on Arch Linux base bootc image.
https://github.com/fiftydinar/xfce-aerolike
atomic bluebuild bluebuild-image custom-image image-based immutable linux linux-custom-image oci oci-image operating-system
Last synced: 1 day ago
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Aero-like XFCE custom image based on Arch Linux base bootc image.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/fiftydinar/xfce-aerolike
- Owner: fiftydinar
- License: apache-2.0
- Created: 2026-02-19T21:50:55.000Z (4 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-06-08T16:39:49.000Z (7 days ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-06-08T18:19:22.551Z (7 days ago)
- Topics: atomic, bluebuild, bluebuild-image, custom-image, image-based, immutable, linux, linux-custom-image, oci, oci-image, operating-system
- Language: CSS
- Homepage:
- Size: 7.74 MB
- Stars: 3
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 3
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# xfce-aerolike
> [!IMPORTANT]
> This custom image is still WIP and in an alpha phase, so only use this for testing.
> [!IMPORTANT]
> For any theming issues, report here, don't report to the upstream developers.
Aero-like XFCE custom image based on Arch Linux base bootc image.
Tries to incorporate as many elements from Aero design as possible, but it won't be a 100% copy of Windows on purpose.
## Theming Credits and Base
For the Aerolike GTK2, GTK3, GTK4 and LightDM theme, I credit:
- ['ReVista' - x35gaming](https://github.com/x35gaming/revista), [slightly modified version by contrarybaton60](https://github.com/contrarybaton60/vista-stuff-xfce4/tree/main/gtk-theme)
For the Qt5 and Qt6 Kvantum theme, I credit:
- ['AeroThemePlasma' - wackyideas](https://gitgud.io/aeroshell/atp/aerothemeplasma)
For the Emerald window decoration theme, I credit:
- ['Aero Glass' - winvistlinux, ILoveNat](https://www.gnome-look.org/p/1835389)
For the X11 cursors theme, I credit:
- ['Windows 7 Aero' - ILexian](https://github.com/lLexian/Windows-7-Aero-Cursors_Linux) + ['Aero Mouse Cursors with Drop Shadow' - Infinality](https://www.xfce-look.org/p/999972/)
For the XFCE-desktop GTK3 theme, I credit:
- ['aeroish-xfce4' - w4lll](https://github.com/w4lll/aeroish-xfce4/tree/main/config)
For the default icon set, I credit:
- ['Obsidian' - madmaxms](https://github.com/madmaxms/iconpack-obsidian)
## Highlights
Now that we know what's the theming base and other defaults, I'll highlight what I added on top of it.
- Image setup in shortly is explained like this:
- arch-base + dracut + bootc (with composefs) + SystemD + Xorg + LightDM + NetworkManager + chronyd + bluez + systemd-resolved + Pipewire + mesa (OpenGL) + vulkan + compiz + emerald + XFCE4 base + XFCE4 goodies like screenshotter and its applet plugins + theming
- Uses `linux-lts` kernel
- Uses [`corefreq`](https://github.com/cyring/CoreFreq) as CPU frequency scaling, idle and source clock (TSC) driver instead of AMD's or Intel's equivalent (offers more control, potentially better CPU efficiency and performance)
- Has automatic seamless system updates enabled (runs atomic `bootc upgrade` once per day).
- Uses `compiz` as the compositing window manager and `emerald` as the window decorator.
- Additional `compiz` defaults that enables blur, snap and grid plugins + blurs taskbar and start menu. Also modified grid plugin to use colors matching the default background.
- Modified XFCE-desktop GTK3 theme to make applets size square-consistent, to make all applets use the Aero button hover and press theme and to make Start menu coloring closer to taskbar.
- Preconfigured variables, config and scripts for default theming, which includes: LightDM login screen, GTK2, GTK3, GTK4 (including Adwaita), Qt5, Qt6 and XFCE-desktop.
- Force GTK apps to use server-side window decorations through [gtk-nocsd](https://codeberg.org/MorsMortium/gtk-nocsd)
- Installed and preconfigured Whisker-menu, docklike-taskbar, xfce4-power-manager, network-manager-applet, xfce4-pulseaudio-plugin, system tray, notifier, clock.
- Installs `qt5ct` and `qt6ct` in addition to Kvantum, so the Qt apps behavior can be modified further.
- Uses the cool teal glass background as the default.
- Uses Noto Sans as the font, 9 as the size.
- etc...
## How to install
1. Download Fedora Vauxite ISO from [this URL](https://github.com/winblues/vauxite) and install it regularly
2. When you boot to Vauxite, run this command below in terminal to switch to `xfce-aerolike` (requires internet connection):
- `sudo bootc switch ghcr.io/fiftydinar/xfce-aerolike:latest`
3. Reboot the system
4. Boot the Arch entry
5. Run this command in terminal, installs the container signatures required for signed image of `xfce-aerolike` (requires internet connection):
- `sudo bootc switch --enforce-container-sigpolicy ghcr.io/fiftydinar/xfce-aerolike:latest`
6. Run these commands to create the new user and set password for it (replace `[new_username]` with what you desire):
- `sudo useradd -m -G wheel [new_username] && sudo passwd [new_username]`
7. Log out
8. In login screen, select the new user and log in
9. Run this command in terminal to delete the old user inherited from Fedora Vauxite (replace `[old_username]` with what it is):
- `sudo userdel -r [old_username]`
10. Enjoy!
## Caveats
This image is based on the experimental work of [arch-bootc](https://github.com/fiftydinar/arch-bootc) base image, so some issues might arise.
- GRUB bootloader cannot be updated
- It will stay on the same version basically forever, because [bootupd](https://github.com/coreos/bootupd) only works on Fedora and CoreOS based distributions.
- Installing or using other bootloader is unsupported
- For the same reason as 1.
- Using different initramfs other than `dracut` is unsupported
- Using `mkinitcpio` and others might work with some modifications, but upstream primarily uses `dracut`, which is also used here
- Secure boot doesn't work and is unsupported
- For the same reason as 1 + unsigned kernel by default
- Update sizes are big (around 2GB)
- This is because `bootc` doesn't have support for more efficient delta updates, so it downloads almost full image. Provided auto-update `bootc` timer won't trigger if the network connection is metered, so you can set that in network settings to disable those updates. Or disable the timer by issuing `systemctl --system disable bootc-fetch-apply-updates.timer` in terminal.