Kitty

Kitty is a modern, fast, GPU-based terminal emulator that leverages modern graphics hardware for high performance. It works on macOS and Linux, supporting multiple tabs and windows for managing sessions. Kitty can be extended with scripts, supports Unicode and emojis, and offers extensive customization through its configuration file. It integrates well with the operating system, including features like clipboard support and drag-and-drop functionality. Known for its high performance and responsiveness, Kitty is actively maintained with regular updates.

Overall, it is a powerful and flexible terminal emulator for advanced users.

Installation

Using nix-shell

nix-shell -p kitty

Using Global Configuration

environment.systemPackages = [
  pkgs.kitty
];

After modifying your configuration, apply the changes by running:

sudo nixos-rebuild switch

Using Home Configuration

home.packages = [ 
  pkgs.kitty 
];

After updating your configuration, apply the changes by running:

home-manager switch

Configuration

✦

Kitty can be configured exclusively through the Home Manager.

Basic

programs.kitty = {
    enable = true;
};

Advanced

programs.kitty = lib.mkForce {
  enable = true;
  settings = {
    confirm_os_window_close = 0;
    dynamic_background_opacity = true;
    enable_audio_bell = false;
    mouse_hide_wait = "-1.0";
    window_padding_width = 10;
    background_opacity = "0.5";
    background_blur = 5;
    symbol_map = let
      mappings = [
        "U+23FB-U+23FE"
        "U+2B58"
        "U+E200-U+E2A9"
        "U+E0A0-U+E0A3"
        "U+E0B0-U+E0BF"
        "U+E0C0-U+E0C8"
        "U+E0CC-U+E0CF"
        "U+E0D0-U+E0D2"
        "U+E0D4"
        "U+E700-U+E7C5"
        "U+F000-U+F2E0"
        "U+2665"
        "U+26A1"
        "U+F400-U+F4A8"
        "U+F67C"
        "U+E000-U+E00A"
        "U+F300-U+F313"
        "U+E5FA-U+E62B"
      ];
    in
      (builtins.concatStringsSep "," mappings) + " Symbols Nerd Font";
  };
};

Tips and Tricks

Location of Options

The home manager options are defined in the following Home Manager Options Manual.

Stylix Integration

Yes, it can. See the following configuration:

extraConfig = with config.stylix.base16Scheme; ''
  foreground #${base05}
  background #${base00}
  color0  #${base03}
  color1  #${base08}
  color2  #${base0B}
  color3  #${base09}
  color4  #${base0D}
  color5  #${base0E}
  color6  #${base0C}
  color7  #${base06}
  color8  #${base04}
  color9  #${base08}
  color10 #${base0B}
  color11 #${base0A}
  color12 #${base0C}
  color13 #${base0E}
  color14 #${base0C}
  color15 #${base07}
  color16 #${base00}
  color17 #${base0F}
  color18 #${base0B}
  color19 #${base09}
  color20 #${base0D}
  color21 #${base0E}
  color22 #${base0C}
  color23 #${base06}
  cursor  #${base07}
  cursor_text_color #${base00}
  selection_foreground #${base01}
  selection_background #${base0D}
  url_color #${base0C}
  active_border_color #${base04}
  inactive_border_color #${base00}
  bell_border_color #${base03}
  tab_bar_style fade
  tab_fade 1
  active_tab_foreground   #${base04}
  active_tab_background   #${base00}
  active_tab_font_style   bold
  inactive_tab_foreground #${base07}
  inactive_tab_background #${base08}
  inactive_tab_font_style bold
  tab_bar_background #${base00}
'';

Stylix can also do it automatically for you. You have to set:

stylix.targets.kitty.enable = true;

Keymaps

It depends on the window manager that you are using. On Hyprland it's fairly easy:

bind = [
  "$mod, Q, exec, kitty"
];

References

1. https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty
2. https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/
3. https://nix-community.github.io/home-manager/options.xhtml#opt-programs.kitty.enable
4. https://stylix.danth.me/options/hm.html#stylixtargetskittyenable