After years of using Windows (from Vista to Windows 11), I decided to make the switch to Linux. In this article, I wanted to write down my journey, the challenges I faced, and why I'm not looking back.

Why I Made the Switch

My motivation for trying Linux came from several directions:

• Self-hosting ambitions: I wanted to learn server management for my own projects
• Developer inspiration: Seeing respected developers like Prime, Teej, DHH, and colleagues advocating for Linux
• Windows frustrations: Getting tired of things not working as expected for several development environment related things in Windows and WSL
• Control seeking: Wanting to understand my system better and have more control over it
• Microsoft concerns: Not being a fan of their direction with showing ads down my throat in the system UI and forced AI integrations.

Getting Started on Linux with Omakub

DHH's Omakub project provided the perfect entry point for me - a preconfigured Ubuntu installation designed specifically for web developers. This checked of a couple of boxes for me, including:

• Ubuntu as the base distro, matching what I'd use on servers
• Tweaked Gnome UI optimized for keyboard-first usage and window-tiling
• Nice terminal experience out-of-the-box with Alacritty terminal with Zellij as a terminal multiplexer
• Useful terminal tools like eza, fzf, and zoxide pre-installed and configured.

The installing experience was smooth - a well-thought-out, visually appealing OS that made the transition nearly painless. I didn't find myself missing Windows features or patterns. I did install Linux with A dual-boot setup that let me keep Windows for fallback on application not working Linux as well as gaming.

Down the Rabbit Hole: Switching to Hyprland

After getting comfortable with Linux, I saw a colleague and some YouTubers using Hyprland as their tiling window manager. Watching them effortlessly navigate beautiful screens and windows sparked my interest. I wanted more control over navigation, sizing, and visuals than Gnome provided.

After researching reviews and configuration guides, I decided to jump in:

• Backed up my important files from my Omakub instance
• Used a preconfigured installation script to avoid starting from zero (thanks JaKooLit / Hyprland-Dots)
• Started tweaking the well-organized and documented Hyprland configuration immediately

The Perks of Linux & Hyprland

After a few months, I realized there was no going back to Windows as my daily driver:

• Terminal confidence: No longer scared of the command line, I understood more commands and their usage - which is crucial skill for server management
• Terminal preference: Started preferring terminal over GUIs for many tasks, as it was faster and more efficient.
• Speed improvements: My workflow became significantly faster with keyboard-focused navigation and custom workspaces
• Customization: The ability to optimize every detail to my specific preferences and workflow

The Downsides

Having more control means less hand-holding, which introduces challenges:

• Software compatibility: No Adobe suite (I unsubscribed since my use cases were rare)
• Gaming limitations: Most games don't work (solved by dual-booting to Windows)
• Hardware issues: Couldn't get my printer working on Linux
• Workflow hiccups: Custom fonts in Figma are difficult to use (I use Windows when needed)
• Stability concerns: Hyprland is still in alpha, so some features break randomly

Advice for Linux Explorers

If you're considering a similar journey:

• Be patient and approach problems with a learning mindset
• Start with Omakub if you want a smoother transition without days of setup
• Dual-boot with Windows for tasks that don't work well on Linux
• Understand that debugging and configuration are part of the experience

I truly believe switching to Linux and diving into configuration has made me a better developer. I've learned valuable skills that will serve me throughout my career, and I'm grateful I made the switch when I did.