---
publish: true
permalink: /os/plymouth
title: Plymouth
created: 2026-02-05T09:31:46.739-07:00
modified: 2026-02-05T12:18:10.585-07:00
tags:
  - boot
  - splash
  - luks
cssclasses: ""
---

Plymouth provides a graphical boot splash screen, including during LUKS password entry.

## Installation

```bash
sudo pacman -S plymouth
```

## Configuration

### mkinitcpio (systemd hooks)

I use systemd-based initramfs hooks. Edit `/etc/mkinitcpio.conf`:

```bash
HOOKS=(base systemd autodetect microcode modconf kms keyboard sd-vconsole plymouth sd-encrypt block filesystems resume fsck)
```

Key points:
- Using `systemd` not `udev`
- Using `sd-vconsole` not `keymap consolefont`
- Using `sd-encrypt` not `encrypt`
- `plymouth` comes **after** `sd-vconsole` and **before** `sd-encrypt`

Regenerate initramfs:
```bash
sudo mkinitcpio -P
```

### Kernel Parameters

Add `splash` to your bootloader config.

**For Limine** (`/boot/EFI/limine/limine.conf`):
```
cmdline: quiet splash rd.luks.uuid=<UUID> root=/dev/mapper/root ...
```

> **Note:** With systemd hooks, use `rd.luks.uuid=` instead of `cryptdevice=`

**For systemd-boot** (`/boot/loader/entries/arch.conf`):
```
options quiet splash rd.luks.uuid=<UUID> root=/dev/mapper/root ...
```

### Set Theme

```bash
# List available themes
plymouth-set-default-theme -l

# Set theme (and rebuild initramfs)
sudo plymouth-set-default-theme -R spinner
```

Popular themes:
- `spinner` — Simple spinner (default)
- `bgrt` — Uses manufacturer logo from ACPI
- `fade-in` — Fading star field

### Install more themes

```bash
paru -S plymouth-theme-arch-logo
paru -S plymouth-theme-monoarch
```

## LUKS Integration

Plymouth displays the LUKS password prompt graphically instead of the text console.

For this to work with systemd hooks:
1. `plymouth` hook must be before `sd-encrypt` hook
2. `splash` must be in kernel parameters
3. Use `rd.luks.uuid=` for LUKS device specification

## systemd vs udev Hooks

| udev-based | systemd-based |
|------------|---------------|
| `udev` | `systemd` |
| `keymap consolefont` | `sd-vconsole` |
| `encrypt` | `sd-encrypt` |
| `cryptdevice=UUID=...:name` | `rd.luks.uuid=...` |

## Testing

Test without rebooting:
```bash
sudo plymouthd
sudo plymouth --show-splash
# Press Enter to dismiss
sudo plymouth quit
```

## Troubleshooting

### No splash on boot

1. Verify `splash` is in kernel params
2. Check hook order in mkinitcpio.conf
3. Regenerate initramfs: `sudo mkinitcpio -P`

### LUKS prompt is text-only

The `plymouth` hook must come **before** `sd-encrypt`:
```bash
HOOKS=(... sd-vconsole plymouth sd-encrypt ...)
```

### View boot messages

Remove `quiet` temporarily to see boot messages if Plymouth isn't working.

## Resources

- Arch Wiki: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Plymouth
- Arch Wiki (mkinitcpio systemd): https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Mkinitcpio#Common_hooks