diff --git a/bin/omarchy-hw-vm b/bin/omarchy-hw-vm
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..b6d27a92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/omarchy-hw-vm
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# omarchy:summary=Returns true when running in a virtual machine.
+
+systemd-detect-virt --vm --quiet
diff --git a/bin/omarchy-toggle-animations b/bin/omarchy-toggle-animations
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..3040461a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/omarchy-toggle-animations
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# omarchy:summary=Toggle animations, transparency and other effects that are slow without a GPU
+# omarchy:args=[toggle|on|off]
+# omarchy:examples=omarchy toggle animations | omarchy toggle animations off | omarchy toggle animations on
+
+# The flag records animations being off, so on and off swap on the way through.
+case ${1:-toggle} in
+toggle) omarchy-hyprland-toggle no-animations toggle ;;
+on) omarchy-hyprland-toggle no-animations off ;;
+off) omarchy-hyprland-toggle no-animations on ;;
+*)
+  echo "Usage: omarchy-toggle-animations [toggle|on|off]" >&2
+  exit 1
+  ;;
+esac
+
+if omarchy-hyprland-toggle-enabled no-animations; then
+  omarchy-notification-send -g 󰕟 "Animations disabled"
+else
+  omarchy-notification-send -g 󰕟 "Animations enabled"
+fi
diff --git a/default/hypr/toggles/no-animations.lua b/default/hypr/toggles/no-animations.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..504b3b13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/default/hypr/toggles/no-animations.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+-- Draw nothing just for show, for machines that render on the CPU, like a VM:
+-- no animations, blur or shadows, and opaque windows, so nothing behind a
+-- window has to be blended into it.
+hl.config({
+  animations = {
+    enabled = false,
+  },
+
+  decoration = {
+    blur = {
+      enabled = false,
+    },
+
+    shadow = {
+      enabled = false,
+    },
+  },
+})
+
+o.window(".*", { opacity = "1 1" })
diff --git a/default/omarchy/omarchy-menu.jsonc b/default/omarchy/omarchy-menu.jsonc
index 161504f2..36518d09 100644
--- a/default/omarchy/omarchy-menu.jsonc
+++ b/default/omarchy/omarchy-menu.jsonc
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@
   "trigger.toggle.battery-percentage": {"icon":"󰁹","label":"Battery Percentage","when":"omarchy-hw-laptop","action":"omarchy-shell omarchy.power togglePercentage"},
   "trigger.toggle.workspace-layout": {"icon":"󱂬","label":"Workspace Layout","action":"omarchy-hyprland-workspace-layout-toggle"},
   "trigger.toggle.window-gaps": {"icon":"","label":"Window Gaps","action":"omarchy-hyprland-window-gaps-toggle"},
+  "trigger.toggle.animations": {"icon":"󰕟","label":"Animations","action":"omarchy-toggle-animations"},
   "trigger.toggle.one-window-ratio": {"icon":"","label":"1-Window Ratio","action":"omarchy-hyprland-window-single-square-aspect-toggle"},
   "trigger.tests.network-speedtest": {"icon":"󰓅","label":"Network Speed Test","action":"omarchy-shell shell summon omarchy.speedtest"},
   "trigger.tests.disk-speedtest": {"icon":"󰋊","label":"Disk Speed Test","action":"omarchy-shell shell summon omarchy.disk-speedtest"},
diff --git a/install/user/all.sh b/install/user/all.sh
index 39d98ea5..d81c3e75 100644
--- a/install/user/all.sh
+++ b/install/user/all.sh
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ run_logged "$OMARCHY_INSTALL/user/hardware/asus/fix-mic.sh"
 run_logged "$OMARCHY_INSTALL/user/hardware/framework/fix-f13-amd-audio-input.sh"
 run_logged "$OMARCHY_INSTALL/user/hardware/dell/xps13-text-scaling.sh"
 run_logged "$OMARCHY_INSTALL/user/hardware/fix-nouveau-cursor.sh"
+run_logged "$OMARCHY_INSTALL/user/hardware/vm-no-animations.sh"
 
 run_logged "$OMARCHY_INSTALL/user/default-keyring.sh"
 run_logged "$OMARCHY_INSTALL/user/mise.sh"
diff --git a/install/user/hardware/vm-no-animations.sh b/install/user/hardware/vm-no-animations.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..428fa969
--- /dev/null
+++ b/install/user/hardware/vm-no-animations.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# A VM usually renders on the CPU, where animations and transparency cost
+# every frame, so start it without them. omarchy-toggle-animations brings them
+# back. This runs before any Hyprland session exists, so place the flag
+# directly rather than through omarchy-hyprland-toggle, which reloads Hyprland.
+if omarchy-hw-vm; then
+  echo "Detected a virtual machine. Turning off animations and transparency."
+  mkdir -p "$HOME/.local/state/omarchy/toggles/hypr"
+  cp "$OMARCHY_PATH/default/hypr/toggles/no-animations.lua" "$HOME/.local/state/omarchy/toggles/hypr/"
+fi
diff --git a/shell/Commons/Style.qml b/shell/Commons/Style.qml
index ec61252b..0582356c 100644
--- a/shell/Commons/Style.qml
+++ b/shell/Commons/Style.qml
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 pragma Singleton
 import QtQuick
 import Quickshell
+import Quickshell.Hyprland
 import Quickshell.Io
 
 // Shared structural style tokens for the shell. Color is the palette
@@ -347,9 +348,19 @@ QtObject {
     readonly property int statusSlot:     root.barToken("status-slot",     21)
   }
 
+  // Off with Hyprland's own animations, as `omarchy toggle animations` turns
+  // them off for machines that render on the CPU. Every shell animation runs
+  // for Style.duration(ms), which is then 0, so nothing is drawn in between.
+  property bool reduceMotion: false
+
+  function duration(ms) {
+    return reduceMotion ? 0 : ms
+  }
+
   function refresh() {
     hyprctlProc.running = true
     gapsOutProc.running = true
+    animationsProc.running = true
   }
 
   function scheduleRefresh() {
@@ -448,6 +459,30 @@ QtObject {
     }
   }
 
+  property Process animationsProc: Process {
+    id: animationsProc
+    command: ["hyprctl", "-j", "getoption", "animations:enabled"]
+    stdout: StdioCollector {
+      waitForEnd: true
+      onStreamFinished: {
+        try {
+          root.reduceMotion = JSON.parse(text || "{}").bool === false
+        } catch (e) {
+          // hyprctl missing / Hyprland not running — leave the previous value.
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // A reload is when the animations toggle, a theme or the user's own config
+  // lands, and Hyprland only announces it once the new values are in effect.
+  property Connections hyprlandEvents: Connections {
+    target: Hyprland
+    function onRawEvent(event) {
+      if (event && String(event.name) === "configreloaded") root.refresh()
+    }
+  }
+
   property Process gapsOutProc: Process {
     id: gapsOutProc
     command: ["hyprctl", "-j", "getoption", "general:gaps_out"]
diff --git a/shell/Ui/Button.qml b/shell/Ui/Button.qml
index 2b84577a..09c5806c 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/Button.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/Button.qml
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ BorderSurface {
   // dedicated selected border.
   borderSpec: _borderSpec
 
-  Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 120 } }
+  Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(120) } }
 
   ToolTip {
     visible: root.tooltipText !== "" && mouseArea.containsMouse
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ BorderSurface {
         to: 360
         duration: 900
         loops: Animation.Infinite
-        running: root.iconSpinning
+        running: root.iconSpinning && !Style.reduceMotion
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/shell/Ui/CursorSurface.qml b/shell/Ui/CursorSurface.qml
index 58e46d06..cb715df9 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/CursorSurface.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/CursorSurface.qml
@@ -36,6 +36,6 @@ BorderSurface {
         : Border.none()))
 
   Behavior on color {
-    ColorAnimation { duration: 60 }
+    ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(60) }
   }
 }
diff --git a/shell/Ui/KeyboardPanel.qml b/shell/Ui/KeyboardPanel.qml
index b2fb218f..38a2979c 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/KeyboardPanel.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/KeyboardPanel.qml
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ PanelWindow {
 
     Behavior on opacity {
       enabled: !root.popoutSwitching && !root.popoutSwitchClosing
-      NumberAnimation { duration: 140; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+      NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(140); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
     }
 
     // Swallow clicks on the card so they don't bubble to the dismissal
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ PanelWindow {
 
       Behavior on opacity {
         enabled: root.popoutSwitching
-        NumberAnimation { duration: 140; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+        NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(140); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/shell/Ui/MultiSelect.qml b/shell/Ui/MultiSelect.qml
index 85705779..ad2e2955 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/MultiSelect.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/MultiSelect.qml
@@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ Item {
                   font.pixelSize: Style.font.body
 
                   RotationAnimator on rotation {
-                    running: root.loadingOptions
+                    running: root.loadingOptions && !Style.reduceMotion
                     from: 0; to: 360
                     duration: 800
                     loops: Animation.Infinite
diff --git a/shell/Ui/PanelActionButton.qml b/shell/Ui/PanelActionButton.qml
index 05f7d6be..d4115e2b 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/PanelActionButton.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/PanelActionButton.qml
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ BorderSurface {
       : "transparent")
   borderSpec: _borderSpec
 
-  Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 60 } }
+  Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(60) } }
 
   Text {
     textFormat: Text.PlainText
diff --git a/shell/Ui/PanelSlider.qml b/shell/Ui/PanelSlider.qml
index d7bf1303..64396713 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/PanelSlider.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/PanelSlider.qml
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ Item {
 
     Behavior on width {
       enabled: !root.dragging
-      NumberAnimation { duration: 140; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+      NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(140); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
     }
   }
 
@@ -93,11 +93,11 @@ Item {
 
     Behavior on x {
       enabled: !root.dragging
-      NumberAnimation { duration: 140; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+      NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(140); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
     }
 
     Behavior on scale {
-      NumberAnimation { duration: 110; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+      NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(110); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/shell/Ui/PopupCard.qml b/shell/Ui/PopupCard.qml
index 058b068f..3bc8193a 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/PopupCard.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/PopupCard.qml
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ PopupWindow {
     opacity: root.open ? 1.0 : 0
 
     Behavior on opacity {
-      NumberAnimation { duration: 140; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+      NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(140); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
     }
 
     Item {
diff --git a/shell/Ui/SpeedTestOverlay.qml b/shell/Ui/SpeedTestOverlay.qml
index a8f84c7b..f1beef92 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/SpeedTestOverlay.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/SpeedTestOverlay.qml
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ PanelWindow {
   onRightValueChanged: expandScale(rightValue)
 
   Behavior on fullScale {
-    NumberAnimation { duration: 400; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+    NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(400); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
   }
 
   // The scrim below is a fixed near-black regardless of theme, so text and
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ PanelWindow {
           onClicked: root.runAgainRequested()
 
           Behavior on opacity {
-            NumberAnimation { duration: 240; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+            NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(240); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
           }
         }
 
@@ -236,13 +236,13 @@ PanelWindow {
     opacity: engaged ? 1 : 0.5
 
     Behavior on opacity {
-      NumberAnimation { duration: 240; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+      NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(240); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
     }
 
     // Live readings land once a second; glide between them rather than snap.
     Behavior on shown {
       enabled: !ignition.running
-      NumberAnimation { duration: 600; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+      NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(600); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
     }
 
     onValueChanged: {
@@ -257,8 +257,8 @@ PanelWindow {
     // the live figures take over.
     SequentialAnimation {
       id: ignition
-      NumberAnimation { target: dial; property: "shown"; to: dial.fullScale; duration: 550; easing.type: Easing.InOutCubic }
-      NumberAnimation { target: dial; property: "shown"; to: 0; duration: 650; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+      NumberAnimation { target: dial; property: "shown"; to: dial.fullScale; duration: Style.duration(550); easing.type: Easing.InOutCubic }
+      NumberAnimation { target: dial; property: "shown"; to: 0; duration: Style.duration(650); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
       onFinished: dial.shown = dial.value
     }
 
diff --git a/shell/Ui/Toggle.qml b/shell/Ui/Toggle.qml
index b861fec7..0f2c9b7c 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/Toggle.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/Toggle.qml
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ BorderSurface {
   color: Style.controlFill(activeFocus, _hot, foreground, accent)
   borderSpec: _borderSpec
 
-  Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 100 } }
+  Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(100) } }
 
   Row {
     id: content
diff --git a/shell/Ui/ToggleSwitch.qml b/shell/Ui/ToggleSwitch.qml
index 22e6461a..f1aa80fa 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/ToggleSwitch.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/ToggleSwitch.qml
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ Item {
       : Style.normalFillFor(root.foreground, root.accent)
     borderSpec: Border.controlSpec(root.checked ? "selected" : "normal", root.foreground, root.accent)
 
-    Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 120 } }
+    Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(120) } }
 
     Rectangle {
       width: root.knobSize
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ Item {
       anchors.verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
       color: root.checked ? Style.selectedStateColor(root.foreground, root.accent) : Qt.darker(root.foreground, 1.25)
 
-      Behavior on x { NumberAnimation { duration: 120; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
-      Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 120 } }
+      Behavior on x { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(120); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
+      Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(120) } }
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/shell/Ui/WidgetButton.qml b/shell/Ui/WidgetButton.qml
index 87d18050..20c27acd 100644
--- a/shell/Ui/WidgetButton.qml
+++ b/shell/Ui/WidgetButton.qml
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ Item {
   implicitHeight: fixedHeight > 0 ? fixedHeight : (vertical ? Math.max(12, label.implicitHeight + scaledVerticalPadding * 2) : barSize)
 
   Behavior on opacity {
-    NumberAnimation { duration: 140; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+    NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(140); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
   }
 
   Text {
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ Item {
 
     Behavior on color {
       enabled: !root.bar || root.bar.foregroundAnimationEnabled
-      ColorAnimation { duration: 160 }
+      ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(160) }
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/shell/plugins/agents/Panel.qml b/shell/plugins/agents/Panel.qml
index fa676a6a..910e9bb4 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/agents/Panel.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/agents/Panel.qml
@@ -788,7 +788,7 @@ Panel {
       color: meter.alarming ? root.urgent : root.foreground
 
       Behavior on width {
-        NumberAnimation { duration: 160; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+        NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(160); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
       }
     }
 
@@ -837,7 +837,7 @@ Panel {
         color: dayRow.today ? root.foreground : root.alpha(root.foreground, 0.55)
 
         Behavior on width {
-          NumberAnimation { duration: 160; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+          NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(160); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
         }
       }
     }
@@ -894,7 +894,7 @@ Panel {
       color: root.alpha(root.foreground, 0.14)
 
       Behavior on width {
-        NumberAnimation { duration: 160; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+        NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(160); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/shell/plugins/background/Background.qml b/shell/plugins/background/Background.qml
index 7a078858..7dee71dc 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/background/Background.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/background/Background.qml
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ Item {
     property: "revealProgress"
     from: 0
     to: 1
-    duration: 420
+    duration: Style.duration(420)
     easing.type: Easing.InOutCubic
     onFinished: {
       if (root.incomingBackground) {
diff --git a/shell/plugins/bar/Bar.qml b/shell/plugins/bar/Bar.qml
index ffd33a85..437daef0 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/bar/Bar.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/bar/Bar.qml
@@ -80,9 +80,9 @@ Item {
   property color background: Color.bar.background
   property color urgent: Color.bar.active
 
-  Behavior on barForeground { enabled: root.foregroundAnimationEnabled; ColorAnimation { duration: 420; easing.type: Easing.InOutCubic } }
-  Behavior on background { ColorAnimation { duration: 420; easing.type: Easing.InOutCubic } }
-  Behavior on urgent { ColorAnimation { duration: 420; easing.type: Easing.InOutCubic } }
+  Behavior on barForeground { enabled: root.foregroundAnimationEnabled; ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(420); easing.type: Easing.InOutCubic } }
+  Behavior on background { ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(420); easing.type: Easing.InOutCubic } }
+  Behavior on urgent { ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(420); easing.type: Easing.InOutCubic } }
   property var tooltipTarget: null
   property var pendingTooltipTarget: null
   property string tooltipText: ""
@@ -1509,7 +1509,7 @@ Item {
         opacity: root.barMoveCandidate === modelData ? (root.transparent ? 0.45 : 0.7) : 0
 
         Behavior on opacity {
-          NumberAnimation { duration: 140; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+          NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(140); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
         }
       }
     }
@@ -1895,7 +1895,7 @@ Item {
       z: 50
 
       Behavior on opacity {
-        NumberAnimation { duration: 120; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+        NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(120); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/shell/plugins/bar/widgets/ActiveWindow.qml b/shell/plugins/bar/widgets/ActiveWindow.qml
index ff7e83d8..251d48ab 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/bar/widgets/ActiveWindow.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/bar/widgets/ActiveWindow.qml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ BarWidget {
   implicitHeight: barSize
 
   Behavior on implicitWidth {
-    NumberAnimation { duration: 180; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+    NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(180); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
   }
 
   Item {
diff --git a/shell/plugins/bar/widgets/Tray.qml b/shell/plugins/bar/widgets/Tray.qml
index 650358c1..dfe11ad7 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/bar/widgets/Tray.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/bar/widgets/Tray.qml
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ BarWidget {
   implicitHeight: root.vertical ? trayContent.implicitHeight : root.barSize
 
   Behavior on revealProgress {
-    NumberAnimation { duration: root.animationDuration; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+    NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(root.animationDuration); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
   }
 
   Loader {
diff --git a/shell/plugins/notifications/components/NotificationCard.qml b/shell/plugins/notifications/components/NotificationCard.qml
index 64e3870b..d7df8d83 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/notifications/components/NotificationCard.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/notifications/components/NotificationCard.qml
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ BorderSurface {
     visible: opacity > 0
     opacity: root.hovered ? 1 : 0
 
-    Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: 100 } }
+    Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(100) } }
 
     Text {
       anchors.centerIn: parent
diff --git a/shell/plugins/osd/Osd.qml b/shell/plugins/osd/Osd.qml
index 0daf676a..69ddc25b 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/osd/Osd.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/osd/Osd.qml
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ Item {
 
             Behavior on width {
               enabled: root.opened
-              NumberAnimation { duration: 140; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+              NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(140); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
             }
           }
         }
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/audio/Panel.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/audio/Panel.qml
index 26d0c58d..96047e0f 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/audio/Panel.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/audio/Panel.qml
@@ -944,7 +944,7 @@ Panel {
                     height: parent.height
                     width: parent.width * Math.max(0, Math.min(1, inputPeakMonitor.peak))
                     color: root.bar.foreground
-                    Behavior on width { NumberAnimation { duration: 70 } }
+                    Behavior on width { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(70) } }
                   }
                 }
               }
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/bluetooth/Panel.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/bluetooth/Panel.qml
index 5362d36b..11b0ce0c 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/bluetooth/Panel.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/bluetooth/Panel.qml
@@ -603,14 +603,14 @@ Panel {
     id: phraseSwap
     PropertyAnimation {
       target: heroStatus; property: "opacity"
-      to: 0.0; duration: 180; easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
+      to: 0.0; duration: Style.duration(180); easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
     }
     ScriptAction {
       script: root.phraseIndex = (root.phraseIndex + 1) % root.activePhrases.length
     }
     PropertyAnimation {
       target: heroStatus; property: "opacity"
-      to: 1.0; duration: 260; easing.type: Easing.InQuad
+      to: 1.0; duration: Style.duration(260); easing.type: Easing.InQuad
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/clock/Panel.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/clock/Panel.qml
index ec3990e2..ec55afd3 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/clock/Panel.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/clock/Panel.qml
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ Panel {
                   radius: parent.radius
                   color: Style.selectedStateColor(root.contentForeground, Color.accent)
 
-                  Behavior on width { NumberAnimation { duration: 160; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
+                  Behavior on width { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(160); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
                 }
               }
             }
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ Panel {
                   radius: parent.radius
                   color: Style.selectedStateColor(root.contentForeground, Color.accent)
 
-                  Behavior on width { NumberAnimation { duration: 160; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
+                  Behavior on width { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(160); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
                 }
               }
 
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/dropbox/Panel.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/dropbox/Panel.qml
index 9dec2473..1a415846 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/dropbox/Panel.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/dropbox/Panel.qml
@@ -369,14 +369,14 @@ Panel {
     id: phraseSwap
     PropertyAnimation {
       target: hero; property: "metaOpacity"
-      to: 0.0; duration: 180; easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
+      to: 0.0; duration: Style.duration(180); easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
     }
     ScriptAction {
       script: root.phraseIndex = (root.phraseIndex + 1) % root.activePhrases.length
     }
     PropertyAnimation {
       target: hero; property: "metaOpacity"
-      to: 1.0; duration: 260; easing.type: Easing.InQuad
+      to: 1.0; duration: Style.duration(260); easing.type: Easing.InQuad
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/CityRow.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/CityRow.qml
index 48e19ef7..1eaeddfd 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/CityRow.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/CityRow.qml
@@ -79,13 +79,13 @@ Rectangle {
       // The dragged row follows the pointer one-to-one; the others ease aside.
       Behavior on y {
         enabled: !row.dragged
-        NumberAnimation { duration: 130; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+        NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(130); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
       }
     }
   ]
   z: dragged ? 2 : 0
   opacity: dragged ? 0.9 : 1
-  Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: 120 } }
+  Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(120) } }
 
   HoverHandler { id: rowHover }
 
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ Rectangle {
         spacing: Style.spacing.sm
         opacity: parent.greeting ? 0 : 1
         visible: opacity > 0
-        Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: 110 } }
+        Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(110) } }
 
         Caption {
           text: row.ready ? row.rowData.date : "\u2026"
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ Rectangle {
         spacing: Style.space(5)
         opacity: parent.greeting ? 1 : 0
         visible: opacity > 0
-        Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: 110 } }
+        Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(110) } }
 
         // Non-Latin scripts fall back per character through fontconfig.
         Caption {
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ Rectangle {
     // Shown on the keyboard's pick too, so Delete's target is plain.
     opacity: row.removable && row.lit ? 1 : 0
     visible: opacity > 0
-    Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: 120 } }
+    Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(120) } }
     onClicked: row.panel.removeCityAt(row.index)
   }
 
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/DaylightStrip.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/DaylightStrip.qml
index 576817ce..4c171c98 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/DaylightStrip.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/DaylightStrip.qml
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ Item {
         color: strip.foreground
       }
 
-      Behavior on x { NumberAnimation { duration: 400; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
+      Behavior on x { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(400); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
     }
   }
 
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ Item {
       // Gone rather than faded, so a hidden arrow is also untappable.
       opacity: strip.hovered && !arrow.covered ? 1 : 0
       visible: opacity > 0
-      Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: 160 } }
+      Behavior on opacity { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(160) } }
 
       // Sunrise sits a little high and sunset a little low: a cue that needs no reading.
       transform: Translate { y: arrow.rising ? -Style.space(2) : Style.space(2) }
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/Globe.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/Globe.qml
index f14c7f23..335312ec 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/Globe.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/Globe.qml
@@ -338,9 +338,9 @@ Item {
   ParallelAnimation {
     id: flight
     NumberAnimation { id: flightSpin; target: root; property: "spin"
-                      duration: 800; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+                      duration: Style.duration(800); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
     NumberAnimation { id: flightViewLat; target: root; property: "viewLat"
-                      duration: 800; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+                      duration: Style.duration(800); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
   }
 
   // The throw: spin keeps going after the drag and eases to a stop.
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/HeroTitle.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/HeroTitle.qml
index d868ae4d..9629408f 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/HeroTitle.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/HeroTitle.qml
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ Column {
         id: globeSpin
         target: heroIcon
         property: "spin"
-        duration: 1250
+        duration: Style.duration(1250)
         easing.type: Easing.OutQuart
       }
 
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ Column {
         id: focusSpin
         target: heroIcon
         property: "spin"
-        duration: 700
+        duration: Style.duration(700)
         easing.type: Easing.OutCubic
       }
     }
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/Panel.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/Panel.qml
index b36df90d..238b50d8 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/Panel.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/elsewhen/Panel.qml
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ Panel {
   // Heavy on the way out, brisk on the way back.
   Behavior on zoom {
     NumberAnimation {
-      duration: root.zoomDuration
+      duration: Style.duration(root.zoomDuration)
       easing.type: root.zoomEasing
     }
   }
@@ -649,14 +649,14 @@ Panel {
 
   Behavior on moonDemo {
     enabled: root.moonShowing
-    NumberAnimation { duration: 460; easing.type: Easing.InOutSine }
+    NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(460); easing.type: Easing.InOutSine }
   }
 
   NumberAnimation {
     id: dropAnimation
     target: root
     property: "dragOffset"
-    duration: 150
+    duration: Style.duration(150)
     easing.type: Easing.OutCubic
     onFinished: root.commitRowDrag()
   }
@@ -805,7 +805,7 @@ Panel {
           id: scrollAnim
           target: scroller
           property: "contentY"
-          duration: 160
+          duration: Style.duration(160)
           easing.type: Easing.OutCubic
         }
 
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/network/Panel.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/network/Panel.qml
index 5976a485..87f160c1 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/network/Panel.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/network/Panel.qml
@@ -965,14 +965,14 @@ Panel {
     id: connectionPhraseSwap
     PropertyAnimation {
       target: heroMeta; property: "opacity"
-      to: 0.0; duration: 180; easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
+      to: 0.0; duration: Style.duration(180); easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
     }
     ScriptAction {
       script: root.connectionPhraseIndex = (root.connectionPhraseIndex + 1) % root.connectionPhrases.length
     }
     PropertyAnimation {
       target: heroMeta; property: "opacity"
-      to: 1.0; duration: 260; easing.type: Easing.InQuad
+      to: 1.0; duration: Style.duration(260); easing.type: Easing.InQuad
     }
   }
 
@@ -1472,10 +1472,10 @@ Panel {
           opacity: root.bandPillsVisible ? 1 : 0
 
           Behavior on height {
-            NumberAnimation { duration: 140; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+            NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(140); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
           }
           Behavior on opacity {
-            NumberAnimation { duration: 140; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
+            NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(140); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic }
           }
 
           Row {
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/power/Panel.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/power/Panel.qml
index 9e251fc4..80b8ff67 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/power/Panel.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/power/Panel.qml
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ Panel {
     id: phraseSwap
     PropertyAnimation {
       target: heroStatus; property: "opacity"
-      to: 0.0; duration: 180; easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
+      to: 0.0; duration: Style.duration(180); easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
     }
     ScriptAction {
       script: {
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ Panel {
     }
     PropertyAnimation {
       target: heroStatus; property: "opacity"
-      to: 1.0; duration: 260; easing.type: Easing.InQuad
+      to: 1.0; duration: Style.duration(260); easing.type: Easing.InQuad
     }
   }
 
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ Panel {
             anchors.left: parent.left
             anchors.verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
 
-            Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 200 } }
+            Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(200) } }
           }
 
           Column {
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ Panel {
             anchors.right: parent.right
             anchors.verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
 
-            Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 200 } }
+            Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(200) } }
           }
         }
 
@@ -405,12 +405,12 @@ Panel {
             color: root.batteryFillColor
             width: Math.max(barTrack.height, barTrack.width * root.batteryFraction)
 
-            Behavior on width { NumberAnimation { duration: 320; easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
-            Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: 220 } }
+            Behavior on width { NumberAnimation { duration: Style.duration(320); easing.type: Easing.OutCubic } }
+            Behavior on color { ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(220) } }
 
             // Subtle pulse while charging — visible signal that energy is flowing in.
             SequentialAnimation on opacity {
-              running: root.charging && !root.fullyCharged && root.opened
+              running: root.charging && !root.fullyCharged && root.opened && !Style.reduceMotion
               loops: Animation.Infinite
               alwaysRunToEnd: true
               NumberAnimation { from: 1.0; to: 0.55; duration: 950; easing.type: Easing.InOutSine }
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/tailscale/Panel.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/tailscale/Panel.qml
index 9d9c7021..8d0a84cb 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/tailscale/Panel.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/tailscale/Panel.qml
@@ -726,14 +726,14 @@ Panel {
     id: phraseSwap
     PropertyAnimation {
       target: hero; property: "metaOpacity"
-      to: 0.0; duration: 180; easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
+      to: 0.0; duration: Style.duration(180); easing.type: Easing.OutQuad
     }
     ScriptAction {
       script: root.phraseIndex = (root.phraseIndex + 1) % root.activePhrases.length
     }
     PropertyAnimation {
       target: hero; property: "metaOpacity"
-      to: 1.0; duration: 260; easing.type: Easing.InQuad
+      to: 1.0; duration: Style.duration(260); easing.type: Easing.InQuad
     }
   }
 
@@ -834,7 +834,7 @@ Panel {
         opacity: accountRow.switchingAccount ? 0.45 : 1.0
 
         SequentialAnimation on opacity {
-          running: accountRow.switchingAccount
+          running: accountRow.switchingAccount && !Style.reduceMotion
           NumberAnimation { to: 1.0; duration: 420; easing.type: Easing.InOutQuad }
           NumberAnimation { to: 0.45; duration: 420; easing.type: Easing.InOutQuad }
           loops: Animation.Infinite
@@ -1150,7 +1150,7 @@ Panel {
         anchors.verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
 
         NumberAnimation on rotation {
-          running: exitNodeRow.settingExitNode
+          running: exitNodeRow.settingExitNode && !Style.reduceMotion
           from: 0
           to: 360
           duration: 900
diff --git a/shell/plugins/panels/weather/Panel.qml b/shell/plugins/panels/weather/Panel.qml
index c237e223..e9fa5c31 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/panels/weather/Panel.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/panels/weather/Panel.qml
@@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ Panel {
                 font.pixelSize: Style.font.bodySmall
 
                 RotationAnimator on rotation {
-                  running: root.savingLocation
+                  running: root.savingLocation && !Style.reduceMotion
                   from: 0; to: 360
                   duration: 800
                   loops: Animation.Infinite
diff --git a/shell/plugins/polkit/PolkitAgent.qml b/shell/plugins/polkit/PolkitAgent.qml
index 8786eeeb..98d6a0ac 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/polkit/PolkitAgent.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/polkit/PolkitAgent.qml
@@ -153,9 +153,9 @@ Item {
 
   SequentialAnimation {
     id: shakeAnimation
-    NumberAnimation { target: root; property: "shakeOffset"; to: -8; duration: 35; easing.type: Easing.OutQuad }
-    NumberAnimation { target: root; property: "shakeOffset"; to: 8; duration: 50; easing.type: Easing.InOutQuad }
-    NumberAnimation { target: root; property: "shakeOffset"; to: 0; duration: 55; easing.type: Easing.OutQuad }
+    NumberAnimation { target: root; property: "shakeOffset"; to: -8; duration: Style.duration(35); easing.type: Easing.OutQuad }
+    NumberAnimation { target: root; property: "shakeOffset"; to: 8; duration: Style.duration(50); easing.type: Easing.InOutQuad }
+    NumberAnimation { target: root; property: "shakeOffset"; to: 0; duration: Style.duration(55); easing.type: Easing.OutQuad }
   }
   FileView {
     path: "/etc/pam.d/polkit-1"
diff --git a/shell/plugins/services/media/BarWidget.qml b/shell/plugins/services/media/BarWidget.qml
index 02650efc..d8052be3 100644
--- a/shell/plugins/services/media/BarWidget.qml
+++ b/shell/plugins/services/media/BarWidget.qml
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ BarWidget {
       font.pixelSize: Style.font.body
       Behavior on color {
         enabled: !root.bar || root.bar.foregroundAnimationEnabled
-        ColorAnimation { duration: 160 }
+        ColorAnimation { duration: Style.duration(160) }
       }
     }
 
@@ -65,7 +65,9 @@ BarWidget {
 
         NumberAnimation on x {
           id: scrollAnim
-          running: labelText.needsScroll && !root.popupOpen && !root.bar.vertical
+          running: labelText.needsScroll && !root.popupOpen && !root.bar.vertical && !Style.reduceMotion
+          // Stopped for reduced motion, the title reads from its start again.
+          onRunningChanged: if (!running && Style.reduceMotion) labelText.x = 0
           loops: Animation.Infinite
           duration: Math.max(6000, labelText.implicitWidth * 25)
           from: scrollClip.width
diff --git a/test/shell.d/toggle-test.sh b/test/shell.d/toggle-test.sh
index 0fdf76a2..a4169209 100644
--- a/test/shell.d/toggle-test.sh
+++ b/test/shell.d/toggle-test.sh
@@ -84,3 +84,30 @@ pass "fullscreen off leaves full screen"
 HOME="$test_home" omarchy-toggle-fullscreen-desktop on
 [[ -f $bar_flag && -f $gaps_flag ]] || fail "fullscreen on enters full screen"
 pass "fullscreen on enters full screen"
+
+# The flag records animations being off, so on and off are the other way round.
+printf '#!/bin/bash\nexit 0\n' >"$stub_bin/omarchy-notification-send"
+chmod +x "$stub_bin/omarchy-notification-send"
+animations_flag="$test_home/.local/state/omarchy/toggles/hypr/no-animations.lua"
+
+HOME="$test_home" omarchy-toggle-animations off
+[[ -f $animations_flag ]] || fail "animations off places the no-animations flag"
+HOME="$test_home" omarchy-toggle-animations on
+[[ ! -f $animations_flag ]] || fail "animations on removes the no-animations flag"
+HOME="$test_home" omarchy-toggle-animations
+[[ -f $animations_flag ]] || fail "toggling animations flips the flag"
+pass "animations toggle turns the no-animations flag the right way round"
+
+# A VM install starts without animations; other machines keep them.
+for virt in vm none; do
+  rm -rf "$test_home/.local/state/omarchy/toggles/hypr"
+  printf '#!/bin/bash\n[[ %s == vm ]]\n' "$virt" >"$stub_bin/omarchy-hw-vm"
+  chmod +x "$stub_bin/omarchy-hw-vm"
+  HOME="$test_home" OMARCHY_PATH="$ROOT" bash "$ROOT/install/user/hardware/vm-no-animations.sh" >/dev/null
+  if [[ $virt == "vm" ]]; then
+    [[ -f $animations_flag ]] || fail "a VM install turns animations off"
+  else
+    [[ ! -f $animations_flag ]] || fail "a machine that is not a VM keeps its animations"
+  fi
+done
+pass "a VM install starts without animations"