I got tired of manually editing my config files every time I wanted to install a package, so I built Niux - a CLI that manages NixOS and home-manager packages declaratively
I see a lot of people online using a term for themselves/other NixOS users that is awfully close to a slur. I feel like we should decide upon a name to call ourselves. I propose nixons, but that's just me (/s).
I have been a bit of a control freak when it comes to making sure my Linux and macOS environments reproducible and organized. Previously, I manually updated a markdown file listing every packages I installed and every configuration command I executed. So migrating to NixOS (and nix-darwin on macOS) was long overdue.
I was scared of jumping into Nix at first, but I found it surprisingly easy. Perhaps it's because I don't utilize fancier features that Nix offers, but creating one entry point for home-manager, one for Nixvim, two host configuration.nix (for my Framework 13 and M4 Mac Mini), and a flake.nix that ties everything together worked great.
Instead of using mkOutofStoreSymlink, I used this as an opportunity to simplify my overall environment. I tried using a well-established third-party package instead of writing things on my own like I did in my previous dotfiles repository, and I am very satisfied with the result. I especially like the fact that I turned all spawn-at-startup lines in my Niri config into systemd services, which seems to be a much better way of handling Waybar, Swayidle, Gammastep, etc.
Overall, I love the reproducibility and stability. My current plan is to update flake.lock every 2-3 weeks, iron out changes in a separate branch, and then merge it into the main branch. It's almost like having a personal release cycle for my own operating system, it's very satisfying.
If I have to point out two disappointments, it would be similar to what others have said:
Overall, I have been loving using it for 3 weeks, and I think it will stick with me for a while.
this is a storytime more than anything, skip if you don't care lol. also, to people who suddenly find their system not working after the kernel update didn't complete, change to linuxKernel.packages.
basically, while rebuilding, the kernel had """updates""". and i was like "oh, ok. i'll let it do its thing" (what i do when the kernel updates basically).
it was taking a bit too long (imo), and then, suddenly, poof. power off. and i was like "what the actual f***?".
i power my laptop on, and surprise surprise, THE FIRMWARE BOOT SELECTION MENU. i was FREAKING OUT ( ó_ò,)
limine didn't work "Linux Boot Menu" (or smth like that) didn't work, not even the windows boot menu worked
i had to disable safe boot (scart tbh) to boot into my previous generation. i searched up on the nixpkgs index for the kernel, and my sweet sweet "linuxPackages" was GONE. i was GENUINELY scared. i was starting to think reinstalling was my last resort ；；
turns out the package i needed for the kernel package was now one of the "linuxKernel.packages"s. i ended up choosing the zen kernel bc i didn't know which other version i should have picked, and because i read it's optimized for desktop usage (yay).
anyway, shout out to generation 163 for saving my laptop (and my life too, i have so many projects there). have a lovely day, fellow redditors.
Whole setup article:
https://vitalik.eth.limo/general/2026/04/02/secure\_llms.html
Interesting that such a big figure as Vitalik turned out to Nixos.
Hello, I created this project based on television as I didn't want to edit my config files manually each time I want to add a new package.
Let me know what you think !
We have had a few requests for listing HopToDesk on NixOS. A few weeks ago we managed to submit a pull request to have the app included: https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pull/495142
Just wondering if anyone knows how long the process takes or if there is something we are missing currently? We would be happy to make any changes to the pull request to continue the process.
Is it morally acceptable to use mimaloc (published by Microsoft) instead of glibc?