---
creation date: 2022-01-08
tags: [note,qt,gtk,linux,archlinux]
---

# Theming Qt and Gtk

Heavily based on [ArchLinux Wiki](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Uniform_look_for_Qt_and_GTK_applications).

Unify Qt5/Qt6 and GTK2/GTK3 design.

Use recommended `96` DPI. Scaling is hell, don't try it!

Of course, this depends on your personal preference. If you pick

* GNOME the default _Adwaita (dark)_ theme is very pleasing and
* for all other scenarios, _Arc (Darker)_ looks great.

## Theme

### Qt applications

To unify look in GTK and Qt applications, install

```shell
qt5ct
qt6ct
```

**Important:** In any environment (your shell env and probably `envvars` of `environment.d`) source, e.g. `.zshenv`, set `export QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME="qt5ct"` (which is also forward compatible with `qt6ct`).

#### If your choice is Adwaita

For _Adwaita_ install the following

```shell
adwaita-qt5
adwaita-qt6
```

* Start each and do the same: `qt5ct` and `qt6ct`
  * select and dialogs to _Default_
  * select _Default_ as Palette
  * select _Adwaita (Dark)_ as theme

#### If your choice is another theme, e.g. Arc (Dark/Darker)

* Install the following packages depending on your choice

```shell
arc-gtk-theme
arc-kde
kvantum
# Arc or any other kvantum supported theme
kvantum-theme-arc
```

* Start each and do the same: `qt5ct` and `qt6ct`
  * select and dialogs to _Default_
  * select _Default_ as Palette
* Use `kvantummanager` and select theme `KvArc...` (or what you like to set)

### Gtk 3 applications 

Set your proper theme via respective utilities like `nwg-look` and/or GNOME Tweaks for GTK 4.

### Gtk 2

Set your proper theme via respective utilities like `nwg-look`. 

Install the Gtk 2 variant of your theme first, e.g. `adwaita-dark` or `arc-theme`.

## Font

_Noto Sans Regular (11)_ seems great. Set it everywhere.

Set them via `qt5ct`, `qt6ct` and via respective utilities like `nwg-look` and/or GNOME Tweaks for GTK.

In addition, adapting `fontconfig` might be useful. See [[KB/Linux/Desktop/Fonts]].

## Icons

`papirus-icon-theme` looks great, but you should also install some fallbacks.

```shell
papirus-icon-theme
arc-icon-theme
adwaita-icon-theme
```

Set them via `qt5ct`, `qt6ct` and via respective utilities like `nwg-look` and/or GNOME Tweaks for GTK.

## Application specifics

* rofi: Dark
* In Firefox install theme and use
* In Thunderbird disable/enable system theme if changes are not applied
* JetBrains products
	* Default or Dracula Official
    * Don't set anything in Appearance fonts
    * Change editor to Noto Mono with 15px and 1.3 line height
  * Visual Studio Code
    * Default or Dracula Official
    * 16px font size everywhere
  * Alacritty
    * base16-atelier-forest
* GNOME Terminal
	* Prefer dark