Taking a screenshot in Hyprland using Hyprshot.

christiandreschler9

Jan 313 min read

Taking screenshots is a common task for many users.

In the Hyprland ecosystem, Hyprshot is an efficient and flexible tool worth considering.

This guide will take you through the installation process using a package manager, show you how to take screenshots, and explain how to set up keybindings in your Hyprland configuration.

Installing Hyprshot with a Package Manager

Before exploring the features of Hyprshot, let’s get it installed. Here’s a simple breakdown of how to do it using popular package managers for different Linux distributions.

For Arch Linux and Manjaro Users

For users on Arch Linux and Manjaro, installing Hyprshot is simple because it's available in the Arch User Repository (AUR). Run the following command in your terminal:

sudo pacman -S hyprshot

For Fedora Users

Fedora users can install Hyprshot using the DNF package manager:

sudo dnf install hyprshot

For Ubuntu and Debian Users

Consider using another distribution if you'd like to use the Hyprland ecosystem.

Hyprland isn't fully working yet on Debian based distributions.

General Installation Note

After installation, verify that Hyprshot is correctly set up by checking its version:

hyprshot --version

This command should display the installed version of Hyprshot, ensuring everything is working correctly.

How to Use Hyprshot to Take Screenshots

Now that you have Hyprshot installed, let’s discuss how to use it effectively.

Hyprshot allows you to take screenshots of specific areas, particular windows, or your entire screen.

Taking a Screenshot of an Area

To capture a certain area of your screen, use the command:

hyprshot -m area

After running this command, your cursor will turn into a crosshair. Click and drag the cursor around the area you want to capture. When you release the mouse, the screenshot will automatically save to your home directory.

For example, if you want to capture a portion of a website, this feature allows you to select just that section, preventing unnecessary clutter in your files.

Taking a Screenshot of a Window

To capture a specific window, you’ll want to use this command:

hyprshot -m window

Simply click on the window you wish to capture. Hyprshot will take a screenshot of just that window.

This is particularly useful when you only need a snapshot for a presentation, making your work appear more polished and focused.

Taking a Screenshot of the Entire Screen

To capture everything on your screen, the command is:

hyprshot -m output -m OUTPUT_NAME

Where OUTPUT_NAME is the name of the active display (i.e. eDP-1 or HDMI-A-1).

To get a list of the display in hyprland, open a terminal and type

hyprctl monitors

Customizing Your Hyprland Configuration with Keybinds

To speed up your workflow, you can assign specific keybinds to these screenshot commands. This allows you to take screenshots quickly without opening a terminal.

Step 1: Open Your Hyprland Configuration File

Access your Hyprland configuration file, usually found at:

~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf

Use a text editor to open the file. For instance, if you opt for nano, type:

nano ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf

Step 2: Assign Keybinds

You can add keybinds for your screenshot actions in the configuration file. Here’s an example setup:

bind = $mod + Shift + A, exec hyprshot area
bind = $mod + Shift + W, exec hyprshot window
bind = $mod + Shift + F, exec hyprshot full

In this configuration:

`$mod + Shift + A` captures an area of your choosing.
`$mod + Shift + W` captures the active window.
`$mod + Shift + F` captures the full screen.

Feel free to customize these key combinations according to what feels most intuitive for you.

Step 3: Save and Exit

Once you've added the keybindings, save your changes and exit the text editor. In nano, press `CTRL + X`, then `Y`, and hit `ENTER` to confirm.

Conclusion

The above mentioned Hyprshot commands should cover the majority of the use-cases.

Should you need some extra command you can list them by opening your terminal and typing:

hyprshot --help

There are flags to specify:

the output folder of the file,
its name
to copy the output directly in the system clipboard
to send a notification or not.