# Frutiger Aero Desktop on Arch Linux (Proxmox/QEMU)

A guide to setting up KDE Plasma with a Frutiger Aero aesthetic on Arch Linux running inside a Proxmox VM.

---

## Prerequisites

- Arch Linux installed (x86_64)
- Access to Proxmox VM display settings (or ask your server admin)
- Internet connection inside the VM

---

## Step 1: Proxmox Display Settings

Frutiger Aero requires OpenGL for blur/glass effects. The default QEMU VGA (`1234:1111`) has no Vulkan/GL support.

### If you have Proxmox host access (or can ask your admin):

The best option is **VirGL GPU**, but it requires the host to have GL libraries installed.

Ask your admin to run on the **Proxmox host**:
```bash
apt install libgl1 libegl1
```

Then set your VM display to **VirGL GPU** in the Proxmox display settings, and set VRAM to at least **128–256 MiB**.

### If you don't have host access:

Set your VM display to **VMware compatible** in Proxmox — this works without host-side changes.

> **Note:** Without VirGL or GPU passthrough, KDE blur/glass effects run on `llvmpipe` (CPU software rendering). The Frutiger Aero look still works visually — consider disabling heavy effects (blur, wobbly windows) for better performance.

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## Step 2: Run the Setup Script

After adjusting display settings, **shut down and restart your VM** (not just reboot), then run:

```bash
bash frutiger-aero-setup.sh
```

The script will:
1. Install the correct Mesa GPU driver for your display type
2. Install KDE Plasma and SDDM
3. Enable the display manager
4. Install Kvantum (advanced Qt theming engine)
5. Install an AUR helper (`yay`) for additional packages

---

## Step 3: Manual Theming (Post-Reboot)

After rebooting into KDE:

### Enable Blur & Transparency
Go to **System Settings → Workspace Behavior → Desktop Effects** and enable:
- Blur
- Background Contrast
- Translucency
- Wobbly Windows *(optional, era-accurate)*

### Apply a Glass/Aero Theme
Open **System Settings → Appearance → Global Theme → Get New Themes** and search for:
- `Aero`
- `Glass`
- `Win7`
- `Breeze Glass`

### Apply Kvantum Glass Theme
Open **Kvantum Manager** and apply a glass theme such as:
- `KvGlass`
- `Aero`

### Icons
Search for glossy icon packs in **System Settings → Icons → Get New Icons**, or install Papirus:
```bash
yay -S papirus-icon-theme
```

---

## Verify GPU Driver

After rebooting with the new display setting:
```bash
glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"
```

You should see `virgl`, `vmwgfx`, or similar — **not** `llvmpipe` (which means software rendering).

---

## Troubleshooting

| Error | Fix |
|---|---|
| `VK_ERROR_INCOMPATIBLE_DRIVER` | Wrong/missing GPU driver — re-run the script after changing Proxmox display setting |
| `TASK ERROR: missing libraries for 'virtio-gl'` | Host needs `apt install libgl1 libegl1` — requires admin access |
| Theme fails to apply | Check `glxinfo` — if `llvmpipe`, switch Proxmox display type |
| KDE feels slow/laggy | Disable Blur and Wobbly Windows in Desktop Effects |