Niri

Add the following settings to your Niri configuration file (usually located at ~/.config/niri/config.kdl).

These settings are for general window appearance and functionality.

window-rule {
  // Rounded corners for a modern look.
  geometry-corner-radius 20

  // Clips window contents to the rounded corner boundaries.
  clip-to-geometry true
}

// Floating Noctalia settings window.
window-rule {
  match app-id="dev.noctalia.Noctalia.Settings"
  open-floating true
  default-column-width { fixed 1080; }
  default-window-height { fixed 920; }
}

debug {
  // Allows notification actions and window activation from Noctalia.
  honor-xdg-activation-with-invalid-serial
}

Wallpapers setup

Next, choose one of the following options for your wallpaper and overview setup.

Option 1: Blurred Overview Wallpaper

This configuration places Noctalia’s dedicated backdrop layer (a blurred and tinted copy of the wallpaper) within Niri’s overview backdrop.

layer-rule {
  match namespace="^noctalia-backdrop"
  place-within-backdrop true
}

Option 2: Stationary Wallpaper

If you prefer a stationary wallpaper that is visible at all times and does not scroll when switching workspaces, use the following configuration.

// Place the regular wallpaper on the backdrop.
layer-rule {
  match namespace="^noctalia-wallpaper"
  place-within-backdrop true
}

// Set transparent workspace background color so the backdrop is visible at all times.
layout {
  background-color "transparent"
}

// Optionally, disable workspace shadows in the overview.
overview {
  workspace-shadow {
    off
  }
}

Option 3: Flat Colored Overview

If you prefer a more productivity-oriented look, use this minimal configuration.

overview {
  // Choose your favorite color.
  backdrop-color "#26233a"
}

Blur

You can enable blur behind windows and Noctalia’s bar, panels, dock, and notifications.

/* Apps: blur them all without xray so it looks more realistic. */
window-rule {
  background-effect {
    blur true
    xray false
  }
}

/*
  Noctalia
  Disable xray on all our surfaces so it looks more realistic.
  No need to set blur to 'true' here, it's automatic.
*/
layer-rule {
  match namespace="^noctalia-(bar-main|notification|dock|panel)$"
  background-effect {
    xray false
    //blur false
  }
}

The noctalia-bar-main match assumes the default bar name main. If you have renamed your bar or defined additional bars, extend the alternation accordingly (each bar uses the namespace noctalia-bar-<name>).

You can also fine-tune the blur effect globally:

blur {
  passes 2        // more passes = stronger blur (default: 3)
  offset 3.0      // sample distance per pass (default: 3.0)
  noise 0.03      // grain overlay (default: 0.02)
  saturation 1.0  // color saturation boost (default: 1.5)
}