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Environment Variables

System environment variables are managed through systemd’s environment.d directory.

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Configuration Location

system/environment.d/
├── envvarsuser.conf       # User environment variables
├── rendering.conf         # Graphics rendering settings
└── wayland.conf           # Wayland-specific variables

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User Environment Variables

envvarsuser.conf
# XDG Base Directory Specification
XDG_CONFIG_HOME=$HOME/.config
XDG_CACHE_HOME=$HOME/.cache
XDG_DATA_HOME=$HOME/.local/share
XDG_STATE_HOME=$HOME/.local/state

# ZSH configuration directory
ZDOTDIR=$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/zsh

# Default programs
EDITOR=nvim
VISUAL=nvim
TERMINAL=kitty
BROWSER=brave
PAGER="less -R"

# Less pager configuration
LESS='-R --mouse --incsearch'
LESSHISTFILE=$XDG_STATE_HOME/less/history

# Development tools home directories
CARGO_HOME=$XDG_DATA_HOME/cargo
RUSTUP_HOME=$XDG_DATA_HOME/rustup
GOPATH=$XDG_DATA_HOME/go
GOBIN=$XDG_DATA_HOME/go/bin
NPM_CONFIG_CACHE=$XDG_CACHE_HOME/npm
NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX=$XDG_DATA_HOME/npm
PYTHONUSERBASE=$XDG_DATA_HOME/python
PYTHONPYCACHEPREFIX=$XDG_CACHE_HOME/python
This configuration follows the XDG Base Directory Specification to keep your home directory clean.

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XDG Base Directories

User-specific configuration files (~/.config)Applications store their config files here instead of cluttering $HOME
User-specific cache data (~/.cache)Temporary files that can be safely deleted
User-specific data files (~/.local/share)Application data, logs, and persistent storage
User-specific state data (~/.local/state)Logs, history files, and recently used files

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Development Tools Configuration

All development tools are configured to use XDG directories:

Rust

CARGO_HOME=$XDG_DATA_HOME/cargo
RUSTUP_HOME=$XDG_DATA_HOME/rustup

Go

GOPATH=$XDG_DATA_HOME/go
GOBIN=$XDG_DATA_HOME/go/bin

Node.js

NPM_CONFIG_CACHE=$XDG_CACHE_HOME/npm
NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX=$XDG_DATA_HOME/npm

Python

PYTHONUSERBASE=$XDG_DATA_HOME/python
PYTHONPYCACHEPREFIX=$XDG_CACHE_HOME/python

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PATH Configuration

The PATH is configured in home/zshenv to ensure all user binaries are accessible:
zshenv
# Load systemd environment
if [ -x /usr/lib/systemd/user-environment-generators/30-systemd-environment-d-generator ]; then
    set -a
    eval $(/usr/lib/systemd/user-environment-generators/30-systemd-environment-d-generator 2>/dev/null)
    set +a
fi

# PATH configuration
typeset -U path
path=(
    "$HOME/.local/bin"
    "$CARGO_HOME/bin"
    "$GOBIN"
    "$NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX/bin"
    "$PYTHONUSERBASE/bin"
    "/usr/lib/ccache/bin"
    $path
)
path=($^path(N/))        # Keep only existing directories
export PATH

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PATH Priority Order

1

~/.local/bin

User-installed binaries and scripts (highest priority)
2

Cargo bin

Rust binaries installed via cargo
3

Go bin

Go binaries installed via go install
4

NPM bin

Node.js global packages
5

Python bin

Python user packages (pip install —user)
6

ccache

Compiler cache for faster compilation
7

System PATH

System binaries (lowest priority)
The typeset -U path command ensures the PATH only contains unique entries, preventing duplicates.

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Systemd User Environment

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Loading Environment Variables

The zshenv file loads systemd environment variables at shell startup:
zshenv
if [ -x /usr/lib/systemd/user-environment-generators/30-systemd-environment-d-generator ]; then
    set -a
    eval $(/usr/lib/systemd/user-environment-generators/30-systemd-environment-d-generator 2>/dev/null)
    set +a
fi
This ensures:
  • Environment variables from ~/.config/environment.d/*.conf are loaded
  • Variables are available to systemd user services
  • Consistent environment across all applications
Systemd user services (like hypridle.service) can access these environment variables.

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Paru Configuration

Paru is the AUR helper used for package management.

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Configuration File

paru.conf
[options]
PgpFetch              # Fetch PGP keys automatically
Devel                 # Check -git packages for updates
Provides              # Look for matching providers
BottomUp              # Show AUR packages first
SudoLoop              # Keep sudo timestamp alive
RemoveMake            # Remove makedeps after install
CleanAfter            # Clean build directory after install
CombinedUpgrade       # Upgrade both repos and AUR in one go
BatchInstall          # Install multiple packages in one batch
UpgradeMenu           # Show menu to select packages to upgrade
NewsOnUpgrade         # Show Arch news before upgrading
SaveChanges           # Save package changes
SkipReview            # Skip PKGBUILD review (use with caution)

DevelSuffixes = -git -cvs -svn -bzr -darcs -always -hg -fossil
SortBy = votes
SearchBy = name-desc
CompletionInterval = 7

[bin]
FileManager = yazi    # File manager for package files
Bat = bat             # Syntax highlighting for PKGBUILDs

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Key Features

Automatic Updates

Checks -git packages for updates automatically

Clean Builds

Removes build dependencies and cleans up after install

Batch Operations

Install multiple packages efficiently

Arch News

Shows important news before system upgrades

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Paru Usage Examples

# Update system (repo + AUR packages)
paru

# Search for packages
paru <package-name>

# Install package
paru -S <package-name>

# Remove package
paru -R <package-name>

# Clean cache
paru -Sc

# Show package info
paru -Si <package-name>
The SkipReview option is enabled for convenience but means you won’t review PKGBUILDs before installation. Consider disabling this if security is a concern.

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Less Pager Configuration

Custom colors for the less pager (man pages):
zshenv
# Less pager colors
export LESS_TERMCAP_mb=$'\e[1;31m'      # Begin blinking
export LESS_TERMCAP_md=$'\e[1;36m'      # Begin bold (cyan)
export LESS_TERMCAP_me=$'\e[0m'         # End mode
export LESS_TERMCAP_se=$'\e[0m'         # End standout
export LESS_TERMCAP_so=$'\e[30;43m'     # Begin standout (yellow bg)
export LESS_TERMCAP_ue=$'\e[0m'         # End underline
export LESS_TERMCAP_us=$'\e[4;32m'      # Begin underline (green)
Result: Colorful, readable man pages instead of plain text.

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Directory Structure

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XDG-Compliant Layout

With this configuration, your home directory stays clean: 
$HOME/
├── .config/              # XDG_CONFIG_HOME
│   ├── hypr/
│   ├── nvim/
│   ├── zsh/
│   ├── environment.d/
│   └── ...
├── .cache/               # XDG_CACHE_HOME
│   ├── npm/
│   ├── python/
│   └── zsh/
├── .local/
│   ├── bin/              # User binaries
│   ├── share/            # XDG_DATA_HOME
│   │   ├── cargo/
│   │   ├── go/
│   │   ├── npm/
│   │   └── python/
│   └── state/            # XDG_STATE_HOME
│       └── less/
└── .zshenv               # Only file in $HOME root
Following XDG standards makes backing up and restoring your configuration much easier.

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Modifying System Configuration

1

Edit Environment Variables

nvim ~/dotfiles/system/environment.d/envvarsuser.conf
2

Reload Environment

# Reload shell
exec zsh

# Or log out and back in
3

Verify Changes

# Check specific variable
echo $VARIABLE_NAME

# Check PATH
echo $PATH | tr ':' '\n'
4

Commit Changes

cd ~/dotfiles
git add system/environment.d/
git commit -m "Update environment variables"

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Troubleshooting

Ensure systemd user environment generator is executable:
ls -l /usr/lib/systemd/user-environment-generators/30-systemd-environment-d-generator
Reload shell: exec zsh
Check that ~/.zshenv is being loaded:
echo $ZDOTDIR
# Should output: /home/username/.config/zsh
Verify PATH in zshenv is correct
Update package databases:
paru -Sy
Check network connectivity and AUR availability

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Next Steps

Shell Configuration

Customize your Zsh experience

Application Configs

Configure individual applications

Hyprland Setup

Window manager configuration

Overview

Configuration structure overview

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