I really don't know why, but every time I see something gaming-related in regards to Linux, I feel a sense of joy. Maybe it's because I love the idea of making gaming as widespread as possible.

Even though Polychromatic is not directly related to gaming, I feel the same sense of joy. Why? To answer this, let's look at what Polychromatic is and what it does.

Polychromatic is a frontend for OpenRazer. As its name somewhat hints at, OpenRazer is a "community-led effort to support Razer peripherals on Linux."

OpenRazer is made up of three main parts: a Linux Kernel Module (written in C and made to rebuild on kernel updates via DKMS), a basic Daemon, and a classic Python library (for integration with other various apps and scripts).

In short, Polychromatic is a free and open-source, Linux app/front-end for managing lighting, RGB effects, device properties, and macros for Razer devices which include keyboards, mice, keypads, laptops, headsets, and so forth.

Since the app only supports OpenRazer at the moment, the list of supported devices is limited (in the sense that it only supports Razer devices), but not at all small.

The thing that makes Polychromatic so valuable for Linux users with Razer devices is that it works just like an official Razer frontend (like the ones you find on Windows and macOS).

In short, it has the Razer-green-themed GUI, it's easy to use, it's functional and stylish, and it integrates useful features to complement the RGB functionality of Razer devices.

This means that all the built-in features of Razer devices such as lighting effects, brightness, DPI and polling intervals are all accessible via Polychromatic.

The app is accessible via three main GUIs: the main app (you can see it in the screenshots), a tray applet, and a CLI (command-line) app. The app allows users to view device information such as firmware, serial numbers, and battery levels, design custom RGB lighting effects, and even perform quick troubleshooting sessions for connected Razer devices.

Unsurprisingly, in order to make polychromatic work, users are first required to install OpenRazer on their systems. Thankfully, there's a decent list of supported distros.

If you're still unsure about the project, I recommend that you check out the app's FAQ section, as well as the Roadmap section. At the moment, Polychromatic is a very young and exciting project.

If you're an avid Razer fan, then this app will mostly become one of your favorites on Linux. If you're looking for an app that caters to a wide range of vendors, then clearly, at least at the moment, Polychromatic is not the right one for you (as it only supports Razer devices).