Channel branches - Revision history

Fijxu: Update nixos channel name from 25.05 to 25.11

2026-01-06T00:52:48Z

Update nixos channel name from 25.05 to 25.11

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:52, 6 January 2026
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	* Stable vs unstable:		* Stable vs unstable:
	** '''Stable channels''' (e.g. <code>nixos-25.05</code>) only provide conservative updates for fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities, but do not receive major updates after the initial release. New stable channels are released every six months.		** '''Stable channels''' (e.g. <code>nixos-25.11</code>) only provide conservative updates for fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities, but do not receive major updates after the initial release. New stable channels are released every six months.
	** '''Unstable channels''' (e.g. <code>nixos-unstable</code>, <code>nixpkgs-unstable</code>) follow the <code>master</code> branch of Nixpkgs, delivering the latest tested updates on a rolling basis.		** '''Unstable channels''' (e.g. <code>nixos-unstable</code>, <code>nixpkgs-unstable</code>) follow the <code>master</code> branch of Nixpkgs, delivering the latest tested updates on a rolling basis.

	* Large vs small:		* Large vs small:
	** '''Large channels''' (e.g. <code>nixos-25.05</code>, <code>nixos-unstable</code>) are updated only after Hydra has finished building the full breadth of Nixpkgs.		** '''Large channels''' (e.g. <code>nixos-25.11</code>, <code>nixos-unstable</code>) are updated only after Hydra has finished building the full breadth of Nixpkgs.
	** '''Small channels''' (e.g. <code>nixos-25.05-small</code>, <code>nixos-unstable-small</code>) are identical to large channels, but are updated as soon as Hydra has finished building a defined set of commonly-used packages. Thus, users following these channels will get faster updates but may need to build any packages they use from outside the defined set themselves. These channels are intended to be used for server setups, for example.		** '''Small channels''' (e.g. <code>nixos-25.11-small</code>, <code>nixos-unstable-small</code>) are identical to large channels, but are updated as soon as Hydra has finished building a defined set of commonly-used packages. Thus, users following these channels will get faster updates but may need to build any packages they use from outside the defined set themselves. These channels are intended to be used for server setups, for example.

	For most users, a stable/large channel is recommended.		For most users, a stable/large channel is recommended.
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	== Using channel branches with flakes ==		== Using channel branches with flakes ==

	Although [[Flakes]] do not make use of traditional Nix channels, they can still reference the same channel branches by specifying them in the flake’s inputs. These branches, such as <code>nixos-25.05</code> or <code>nixos-unstable</code>, correspond to named references within the Nixpkgs repository and serve a similar role in selecting which version of Nixpkgs or other inputs to use.		Although [[Flakes]] do not make use of traditional Nix channels, they can still reference the same channel branches by specifying them in the flake’s inputs. These branches, such as <code>nixos-25.11</code> or <code>nixos-unstable</code>, correspond to named references within the Nixpkgs repository and serve a similar role in selecting which version of Nixpkgs or other inputs to use.

	A simple example of defining channel branches in a flake:		A simple example of defining channel branches in a flake:
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	{		{
	inputs = {		inputs = {
	nixpkgs.url = "github:nixos/nixpkgs/nixos-25.05";		nixpkgs.url = "github:nixos/nixpkgs/nixos-25.11";
	nixpkgs-unstable.url = "github:nixos/nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";		nixpkgs-unstable.url = "github:nixos/nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";
	};		};

Hexa: Update jobset names

2025-12-02T00:49:25Z

Update jobset names

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:49, 2 December 2025
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	Then, for each '''unstable''' channel (see above), a particular job at [https://hydra.nixos.org hydra.nixos.org] is started which must succeed:		Then, for each '''unstable''' channel (see above), a particular job at [https://hydra.nixos.org hydra.nixos.org] is started which must succeed:

	* For NixOS: the [http://hydra.nixos.org/job/nixos/~~trunk-combined~~/tested ~~trunk-combined~~/tested] job, which includes some automated NixOS tests.		* For NixOS: the [http://hydra.nixos.org/job/nixos/unstable/tested nixos/unstable/tested] job, which includes some automated NixOS tests.
	* For nixos-small: the [http://hydra.nixos.org/job/nixos/unstable-small/tested unstable-small/tested] job.		* For nixos-small: the [http://hydra.nixos.org/job/nixos/unstable-small/tested nixos/unstable-small/tested] job.
	* For nixpkgs: the [http://hydra.nixos.org/job/nixpkgs/~~trunk~~/unstable ~~trunk~~/unstable] job, which contains some critical release packages.		* For nixpkgs: the [http://hydra.nixos.org/job/nixpkgs/unstable/unstable nixpkgs/unstable/unstable] job, which contains some critical release packages.

	=== Success Conditions ===		=== Success Conditions ===

Juancnuno: https://nixos.org/channels redirects to https://channels.nixos.org/

2025-11-08T13:54:32Z

https://nixos.org/channels redirects to https://channels.nixos.org/

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:54, 8 November 2025
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	\|-		\|-
	\| Adding a primary channel		\| Adding a primary channel
	\|<code><nowiki>nix-channel --add https://nixos.org~~/channels~~/channel-name nixos</nowiki></code>		\|<code><nowiki>nix-channel --add https://channels.nixos.org/channel-name nixos</nowiki></code>
	\|-		\|-
	\| Adding other channels		\| Adding other channels

Lukec: Reword the first two paragraphs

2025-06-12T20:35:40Z

Reword the first two paragraphs

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:35, 12 June 2025
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	Nix channels provide a structured and reliable way to access ~~tested, verified~~ package collections and [[NixOS]] configurations from the [[Nixpkgs]] repository. ~~Rather than installing packages or building systems~~ directly ~~from~~ the frequently updated <code>master</code> branch of Nixpkgs, which receives new commits before extensive testing~~. Because of this~~, ~~users typically follow channel branches.~~		Nix channels provide a structured and reliable way to access package collections and [[NixOS]] configurations from the [[Nixpkgs]] repository. Unlike directly accessing the frequently updated <code>master</code> branch of Nixpkgs which receives new commits before extensive testing, a channel branch is a curated, tested snapshot of Nixpkgs. These branches only advance after builds and tests for a given commit have successfully passed on the [[Hydra]] continuous integration system and are made available via [https://channels.nixos.org channels.nixos.org].

	A channel branch is a curated, tested snapshot of Nixpkgs~~, made available via [https://channels.nixos.org channels.nixos.org]~~. These branches only advance after builds and tests for a given commit have successfully passed on the [[Hydra]] continuous integration system.

	Each channel branch follows a corresponding development branch to which new commits are first added. These new commits are then "verified" using the [[Hydra]] continuous integration system, where each channel branch corresponds to building any new or updated packages for that branch and perform the associated tests. A channel branch is updated once its builds succeeds for a new commit. Contrary to users of the development branches, channel branch users will benefit from both "verified" commits and pre-built packages from the [https://cache.nixos.org official public binary cache].		Each channel branch follows a corresponding development branch to which new commits are first added. These new commits are then "verified" using the [[Hydra]] continuous integration system, where each channel branch corresponds to building any new or updated packages for that branch and perform the associated tests. A channel branch is updated once its builds succeeds for a new commit. Contrary to users of the development branches, channel branch users will benefit from both "verified" commits and pre-built packages from the [https://cache.nixos.org official public binary cache].

Pigs: Reword and reorganize page, add section on flakes and usage in nixos

2025-06-12T17:33:05Z

Reword and reorganize page, add section on flakes and usage in nixos

Show changes

TornaxO7: Update other occurences of `nixos-24.11` to `nixos-25.05`

2025-05-24T10:25:18Z

Update other occurences of `nixos-24.11` to `nixos-25.05`

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:25, 24 May 2025
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	* Large/small:		* Large/small:
	** Large channels (<code>nixos-24.11</code>, <code>nixos-unstable</code>) are updated only after Hydra has finished building the full breadth of Nixpkgs.		** Large channels (<code>nixos-25.05</code>, <code>nixos-unstable</code>) are updated only after Hydra has finished building the full breadth of Nixpkgs.
	** Small channels (<code>nixos-24.11-small</code>, <code>nixos-unstable-small</code>) are identical to large channels, but are updated as soon as Hydra has finished building a defined set of commonly-used packages. Thus, users following these channels will get faster updates but may need to build any packages they use from outside the defined set themselves. These channels are intended to be used for server setups, for example.		** Small channels (<code>nixos-25.05-small</code>, <code>nixos-unstable-small</code>) are identical to large channels, but are updated as soon as Hydra has finished building a defined set of commonly-used packages. Thus, users following these channels will get faster updates but may need to build any packages they use from outside the defined set themselves. These channels are intended to be used for server setups, for example.

	Most users will want the stable/large channel, currently <code>nixos-24.11</code>.		Most users will want the stable/large channel, currently <code>nixos-25.05</code>.

	NixOS uses [https://nixos.org/manual/nix/stable/command-ref/files/profiles Nix profiles] for the <code>root</code> user to refer different versions of the system-wide configuration. Profiles set for other users only control the user environment for that user.		NixOS uses [https://nixos.org/manual/nix/stable/command-ref/files/profiles Nix profiles] for the <code>root</code> user to refer different versions of the system-wide configuration. Profiles set for other users only control the user environment for that user.

TornaxO7: Update stable channel update name

2025-05-24T10:24:38Z

Update stable channel update name

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:24, 24 May 2025
Line 12:		Line 12:

	* Stable/unstable:		* Stable/unstable:
	** Stable channels (<code>nixos-24.11</code>) only provide conservative updates for fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities, but do not receive major updates after the initial release. New stable channels are released every six months.		** Stable channels (<code>nixos-25.05</code>) only provide conservative updates for fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities, but do not receive major updates after the initial release. New stable channels are released every six months.
	** Unstable channels (<code>nixos-unstable</code>, <code>nixpkgs-unstable</code>) follow the <code>master</code> branch of Nixpkgs, delivering the latest tested updates on a rolling basis.		** Unstable channels (<code>nixos-unstable</code>, <code>nixpkgs-unstable</code>) follow the <code>master</code> branch of Nixpkgs, delivering the latest tested updates on a rolling basis.

Phanirithvij: add url to nixos-channel-scripts

2024-12-09T07:40:12Z

add url to nixos-channel-scripts

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:40, 9 December 2024
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	* Particular jobset evaluation's tested/unstable job needs to be built succesfully		* Particular jobset evaluation's tested/unstable job needs to be built succesfully

	The nixos.org server has a cronjob for which nixos-channel-scripts are executed and poll for the newest jobset that satisfies the above two conditions and trigger a channel update.		The nixos.org server has a cronjob for which [https://github.com/nixOS/nixos-channel-scripts nixos-channel-scripts] are executed and poll for the newest jobset that satisfies the above two conditions and trigger a channel update.

	=== Channel Update ===		=== Channel Update ===

Ihaveahax: 24.11 is out

2024-12-08T03:38:50Z

24.11 is out

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:38, 8 December 2024
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	* Stable/unstable:		* Stable/unstable:
	** Stable channels (<code>nixos-24.05</code>) only provide conservative updates for fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities, but do not receive major updates after the initial release. New stable channels are released every six months.		** Stable channels (<code>nixos-24.11</code>) only provide conservative updates for fixing bugs and security vulnerabilities, but do not receive major updates after the initial release. New stable channels are released every six months.
	** Unstable channels (<code>nixos-unstable</code>, <code>nixpkgs-unstable</code>) follow the <code>master</code> branch of Nixpkgs, delivering the latest tested updates on a rolling basis.		** Unstable channels (<code>nixos-unstable</code>, <code>nixpkgs-unstable</code>) follow the <code>master</code> branch of Nixpkgs, delivering the latest tested updates on a rolling basis.

	* Large/small:		* Large/small:
	** Large channels (<code>nixos-24.05</code>, <code>nixos-unstable</code>) are updated only after Hydra has finished building the full breadth of Nixpkgs.		** Large channels (<code>nixos-24.11</code>, <code>nixos-unstable</code>) are updated only after Hydra has finished building the full breadth of Nixpkgs.
	** Small channels (<code>nixos-24.05-small</code>, <code>nixos-unstable-small</code>) are identical to large channels, but are updated as soon as Hydra has finished building a defined set of commonly-used packages. Thus, users following these channels will get faster updates but may need to build any packages they use from outside the defined set themselves. These channels are intended to be used for server setups, for example.		** Small channels (<code>nixos-24.11-small</code>, <code>nixos-unstable-small</code>) are identical to large channels, but are updated as soon as Hydra has finished building a defined set of commonly-used packages. Thus, users following these channels will get faster updates but may need to build any packages they use from outside the defined set themselves. These channels are intended to be used for server setups, for example.

	Most users will want the stable/large channel, currently <code>nixos-24.05</code>.		Most users will want the stable/large channel, currently <code>nixos-24.11</code>.

	NixOS uses [https://nixos.org/manual/nix/stable/command-ref/files/profiles Nix profiles] for the <code>root</code> user to refer different versions of the system-wide configuration. Profiles set for other users only control the user environment for that user.		NixOS uses [https://nixos.org/manual/nix/stable/command-ref/files/profiles Nix profiles] for the <code>root</code> user to refer different versions of the system-wide configuration. Profiles set for other users only control the user environment for that user.

Klinger: added Category:NixOS Category:Hydra

2024-07-01T20:48:21Z

added Category:NixOS Category:Hydra

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:48, 1 July 2024
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	[[Category:Nix]]		[[Category:Nix]]
			[[Category:NixOS]]
			[[Category:Hydra]]
	[[Category:Software]]		[[Category:Software]]