diff --git a/hosts/modules/gui/sway/default.nix b/hosts/modules/gui/sway/default.nix
index 8000d221..a6a29e4b 100644
--- a/hosts/modules/gui/sway/default.nix
+++ b/hosts/modules/gui/sway/default.nix
@@ -115,17 +115,6 @@ in
         '';
       };
 
-      # TODO: split these into their own option scope
-      brightness_down_cmd = mkOption {
-        type = types.str;
-        default = "brightnessctl set 2%-";
-        description = "command to run when use wants to decrease screen brightness";
-      };
-      brightness_up_cmd = mkOption {
-        type = types.str;
-        default = "brightnessctl set +2%";
-        description = "command to run when use wants to increase screen brightness";
-      };
       screenshot_cmd = mkOption {
         type = types.str;
         default = "grimshot copy area";
diff --git a/hosts/modules/gui/sway/sway-config b/hosts/modules/gui/sway/sway-config
index bb4ff047..61774516 100644
--- a/hosts/modules/gui/sway/sway-config
+++ b/hosts/modules/gui/sway/sway-config
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ set $emoji_picker splatmoji -s medium-light type
 set $locker swaylock --indicator-idle-visible --indicator-radius 100 --indicator-thickness 30
 set $snippets_picker @snip_cmd@
 set $screenshot @screenshot_cmd@
-set $brightness_up @brightness_up_cmd@
-set $brightness_down @brightness_down_cmd@
+set $brightness_up brightnessctl set +5%
+set $brightness_down brightnessctl set 5%-
 # TODO: use native pipewire controls instead of pulsemixer?
 set $volume_up pulsemixer --change-volume +5
 set $volume_down pulsemixer --change-volume -5
diff --git a/hosts/modules/gui/sway/sway-config.nix b/hosts/modules/gui/sway/sway-config.nix
index 50be781e..a86dea2b 100644
--- a/hosts/modules/gui/sway/sway-config.nix
+++ b/hosts/modules/gui/sway/sway-config.nix
@@ -28,8 +28,6 @@ in substituteAll {
   inherit snip_cmd;
   inherit (swayCfg)
     background
-    brightness_down_cmd
-    brightness_up_cmd
     extra_lines
     screenshot_cmd
     font
diff --git a/hosts/modules/gui/sxmo/default.nix b/hosts/modules/gui/sxmo/default.nix
index 994e02cb..1db1eaa7 100644
--- a/hosts/modules/gui/sxmo/default.nix
+++ b/hosts/modules/gui/sxmo/default.nix
@@ -321,8 +321,6 @@ in
             xwayland = false;
             workspace_layout = "tabbed";
 
-            brightness_down_cmd = "sxmo_brightness.sh down";
-            brightness_up_cmd = "sxmo_brightness.sh up";
             screenshot_cmd = "sxmo_screenshot.sh";
             extra_lines =
               let