FreeBSD and Plasma 6 install - a Log

21 May, 2026

How to get a Wayland KDE session up and running on FreeBSD.

All choices in here are strictly my personal ones!

First version: August 16 2025

Updated: May 21 2026 > add applications

Updated: May 22 2026 > additions for automount

Updated: May 23 2026 > adjust username

Updated: May 29 2026 > remove 'Latest', remove yazi, fuse additions edited, remove micro

Boot the dvd iso (I used FreeBSD-15.0-RELEASE-amd64-dvd1.iso):

• Selection
  

  • Install FreeBSD
  • Choose your keymap
  • Set your hostname
  • Packages (Tech Preview)
  • Network (Select a network interface)

• Partitioning
  

Choose Auto (ZFS)

ZFS Configuration

• Encrypt disks: YES - Pool Type/Disks: Choose stripe - 0 disks - Partition Scheme: Choose GPT (UEFI) - Swap Size: Choose 2G (default)

Proceed with Installation

• Stripe - No Redundancy - Select the correct disk! and answer YES, then enter the encryption phrase (and re-enter)

Select System Components

I just choose Base, feel free to add whatever you like

Installation starts

• System Configuration
  

  • add password for root

  • select timezone

Select services at boot

• sshd [x] ntpd [x] powerd

System Hardening

• random_pid [x] clear_tmp [x] secure_console

FreeBSD Firmware Installer

• choose all applicable options

• Add Users
  

  • Invite user into other groups?: wheel operator video

  • Add a passwd to the account and exit the installation (no manual configuration)

  • Reboot

• Pkgs and first update
  

Login as root and:

pkg update & pkg upgrade

• Graphics driver
  

  • pciconf -lv|grep -B4 VGA

This will tell your graphics driver, mine was an AMD one.

• pkg install drm-kmod

Add to /etc/rc.conf to load the GPU driver at startup

• sysrc kld_list+=amdgpu (for Intel GPU's it is sysrc kld_list+=i915kms)

Reboot the system when finished and login as root again

• Basic tooling
  

  • pkg install mc doas htop fastfetch git zsh zsh-completions seatd

Obviously these are my choices, with seatd being the only true mandatory one.

• ee /usr/local/etc/doas.conf

• add: permit nopass keepenv {USER}

Logout and login as {USER}

• chsh -s /usr/local/bin/zsh

• QoL (completely voluntary)
  

Edit: doas ee /boot/loader.conf and add:

• autoboot_delay=3
• hw.usb.no_boot_wait=1
• loader_logo="beastie"

When done, reboot afterwards and login as the regular user again.

• The Big K
  

  • doas pkg install plasma6-plasma konsole dolphin kate gwenview okular librewolf networkmgr automount pavucontrol

Then (as root or with doas):

• sysrc dbus_enable="YES" (required)

• sysrc seatd_enable="YES" (required)

• sysctl net.local.stream.recvspace=65536 (technically not required anymore)

• sysctl net.local.stream.sendspace=65536 (technically not required anymore)

• mixer pcm=1.0 (just a generic sound setting I apply to crank up the volume)

• SDDM et all
  

There's a reason Linux distro's are switching to plasma-login-manager, and no, it's not just systemd. Truth is SDDM has proven to be a bit finicky at times and my guess is it'll become more redundant over time. So there you have it. Let's start our session from the CLI.

• startup and login as the regular user

Right now I made an alias to launch KDE Wayland from the CLI:

• alias kde="ck-launch-session /usr/local/lib/libexec/plasma-dbus-run-session-if-needed startplasma-wayland"

Add that alias to your shell of choice or make a small script for it.

Reboot and login into KDE Plasma 6 Wayland on FreeBSD.

• Additional software
  

  • powerlevel10k from here: https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k

  • terminal based applications: doas pkg install eza fresh fzf

  • extra applications: doas pkg install elisa haruna libreoffice qbittorrent

  • nerd fonts: doas pkg install nerd-fonts-meslo nerd-fonts-jetbrainsmono clearsans font-awesome

• Update username
  

After first login and subsequent log-outs the username is shown as U&.

• go to System Settings - Users - adjust to your preferred name

Feel free to use these builds and dots as you like. I do not, however, imply any form of support or ongoing maintenance. And of course, you use them entirely at your own risk. Have fun!