Quick Start

Get started with Klassy by enabling the Kite global theme and exploring customization options through the Klassy Settings application.

Quick Start Guide

This guide will help you get Klassy up and running with the main Kite global theme.

Make sure you have installed Klassy and are running Plasma 6.3 or later before proceeding.

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Applying the Kite Theme

After installing Klassy, the recommended first step is to apply the main Kite global theme.

You must initially use the Global Theme settings screen to apply the theme properly. If you initially apply via the Quick Settings screen or the Light/Dark selector, the full Desktop & window layout will not be applied.

1. Open System Settings

   Launch KDE System Settings from your application menu or by pressing Alt+Space and typing “System Settings”.

2. Navigate to Global Theme

   Go to Colours & Themes → Global Theme

3. Select a Kite variant

   Choose one of the four Kite theme variants based on your preference:

   • Kite Dark - Left Panel (recommended for 16:9 laptops)
   • Kite Dark - Bottom Panel (recommended for everything else)
   • Kite Light - Left Panel
   • Kite Light - Bottom Panel
4. Apply the theme

   Click Apply to activate the theme. The changes will be applied immediately.

Theme Layout Options

Klassy provides two main panel layouts:

Left Panel Theme

Recommended for 16:9 laptops - maximizes vertical space for content.

Bottom Panel Theme

Recommended for everything else - traditional desktop layout.

After the initial application, you can use the Quick Settings screen or the Light/Dark selector to switch between light and dark modes for day/night switching.

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Exploring Klassy Settings

Klassy comes with a powerful configuration application called Klassy Settings that allows you to customize every aspect of your theme.

Launching Klassy Settings

You can launch Klassy Settings in several ways:

Command Line

klassy-settings

Or search for “Klassy” in your application launcher.

Klassy Settings Features

The Klassy Settings application provides:

• Preset Management: Load and import pre-configured style presets
• Button Customization: Icon selection, shapes, colors, and spacing
• Window Decoration: Titlebar styling, transparency, and borders
• Animations: Configure button and window animations
• System Icon Generation: Create matching system icons

Command-Line Options

Klassy Settings supports several command-line options:

klassy-settings --help          # Show all available options
klassy-settings --import <file> # Import a preset file
klassy-settings --load <preset> # Load a specific preset

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Trying Built-in Presets

Before fine-tuning individual settings, try the bundled presets to find a style you like. Presets provide perfectly-configured combinations of settings.

1. Open Klassy Settings

   Launch the Klassy Settings application.

2. Navigate to Presets

   Look for the Presets section or button in the interface.

3. Browse available presets

   Klassy includes several built-in presets:

   • Kite - The default, pragmatic theme
   • ClassiK v3 - Full-height rounded rectangles
   • ClassikStyles - Full-height rectangular highlights
   • Classik-Aurorae - Circular button highlights
   • Glassy Klassy - Translucent, modern appearance
   • Chroma - Colorful accent-based theme
   • And many more…
4. Apply a preset

   Click on a preset to preview it, then apply to activate.

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Customization Examples

Here are some of the customization options available:

Button Icons

Klassy provides numerous perfectly-pixel-snapped button icons, plus support for window-*-symbolic system icons.

Alignment & Spacing

Fine-tune button spacing, titlebar margins, and corner radius with HiDPI scaling support.

Scrollbar Customization

Klassy features arguably the best scrollbars on any platform, with extensive customization options.

Window Outlines

Add thin window outlines with optional accent colors for better window separation.

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Enabling the Application Style

For consistent styling across all applications, make sure to enable the Klassy Application Style:

1. Open System Settings

   Launch KDE System Settings.

2. Navigate to Application Style

   Go to Appearance → Application Style

3. Select Klassy

   Choose Klassy from the list of available application styles.

4. Apply

   Click Apply to activate the Klassy application style.

This ensures icons in dockable panels, MDI applications, and application tabs are consistent.

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Configuring System Icons

For GTK applications and context menus to match your titlebar icons:

1. Enable Klassy icon theme

   Go to System Settings → Appearance → Icons and select the Klassy icon theme.

2. Generate system icons

   Open Klassy Settings and click System Icon Generation… to configure the icons to match your window decoration settings.

3. Apply changes

   The generated icons will be applied to match your current Klassy configuration.

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Button Style Examples

Klassy supports multiple button styles that you can configure in Klassy Settings:

Integrated Rounded Rectangles (Default)

Translucent outlined accent colors with large clickable areas.

Traffic Lights

Familiar red, yellow, and green background colors.

Full-height Rounded Rectangle

Classic button shapes from the ClassiK v3 preset.

Highlight Styles

Full-height rectangular or circular button highlights.

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Next Steps

Now that you have Klassy up and running:

Explore Presets

Try different built-in presets to find your perfect style

Fine-tune Settings

Customize individual aspects like button spacing, colors, and animations

System Icons

Configure system icon generation for complete theme consistency

Join the Community

Visit the GitHub repository for support and to share your customizations

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Troubleshooting

If the theme doesn’t apply correctly, make sure you used System Settings → Colours & Themes → Global Theme for the initial application, not the Quick Settings panel.

Common Issues

Theme not applying completely

• Ensure you’re on Plasma 6.3 or later
• Apply the theme through the Global Theme settings screen, not Quick Settings
• Log out and log back in if changes don’t appear

Icons don’t match

• Enable the Klassy icon theme in System Settings → Icons
• Run System Icon Generation in Klassy Settings

Scrollbars look wrong

• Ensure you’ve enabled the Klassy Application Style
• Check that the application is using Qt/KDE frameworks

For more help, visit the Klassy GitHub repository or check existing issues and discussions.