NixOS as a desktop - Revision history

Pigs: fix broken link

2026-01-05T18:44:11Z

fix broken link

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:44, 5 January 2026
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	Set up lightweight or tiling window managers like [[i3]], [[Sway]], [[Hyprland]], or [[~~xmonad~~]].		Set up lightweight or tiling window managers like [[i3]], [[Sway]], [[Hyprland]], or [[XMonad]].

	<!--T:43-->		<!--T:43-->

Ardenet: Marked this version for translation

2025-10-07T21:06:29Z

Marked this version for translation

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:06, 7 October 2025
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	As described in the [[Overview of the NixOS Linux distribution#Declarative Configuration]], NixOS is designed to be configured declaratively. This means the entire system configuration, including installed packages, system services, kernel parameters, and user accounts is defined in configuration files, typically in <code>/etc/nixos/configuration.nix</code>. These settings can then be applied consistently and reproducibly across machines.		As described in the [[Overview of the NixOS Linux distribution#Declarative Configuration]], NixOS is designed to be configured declaratively. This means the entire system configuration, including installed packages, system services, kernel parameters, and user accounts is defined in configuration files, typically in <code>/etc/nixos/configuration.nix</code>. These settings can then be applied consistently and reproducibly across machines.

			<!--T:28-->
	The process for managing your configuration is documented in the {{NixOS Manual\|name=NixOS official manual\|anchor=#ch-configuration}}.		The process for managing your configuration is documented in the {{NixOS Manual\|name=NixOS official manual\|anchor=#ch-configuration}}.

	=== System Configuration ===		=== System Configuration === <!--T:29-->

			<!--T:30-->
	{{main\|NixOS system configuration}}		{{main\|NixOS system configuration}}

			<!--T:31-->
	The primary configuration file, <code>/etc/nixos/configuration.nix</code>, defines system-wide settings. This includes options like enabling services, managing system users, setting hardware options, and specifying installed packages. Changes are applied with:		The primary configuration file, <code>/etc/nixos/configuration.nix</code>, defines system-wide settings. This includes options like enabling services, managing system users, setting hardware options, and specifying installed packages. Changes are applied with:

			<!--T:32-->
	<syntaxhighlight lang="console">		<syntaxhighlight lang="console">
	# nixos-rebuild switch		# nixos-rebuild switch
	</syntaxhighlight>		</syntaxhighlight>

	=== User configuration with Home Manager ===		=== User configuration with Home Manager === <!--T:33-->

			<!--T:34-->
	For managing per-user configurations such as application preferences, command-line tools, and dotfiles, [[Home Manager]] provides a convenient, declarative approach. It allows users to define which programs should be installed and how they should be configured, without needing to include those settings in the system-wide [https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/#sec-changing-config configuration.nix].		For managing per-user configurations such as application preferences, command-line tools, and dotfiles, [[Home Manager]] provides a convenient, declarative approach. It allows users to define which programs should be installed and how they should be configured, without needing to include those settings in the system-wide [https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/#sec-changing-config configuration.nix].

			<!--T:35-->
	Home Manager can be used independently of the system configuration and works with both traditional setups and newer [[Flakes]]-based configurations.		Home Manager can be used independently of the system configuration and works with both traditional setups and newer [[Flakes]]-based configurations.

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	For users looking for a more streamlined and reproducible way to manage NixOS configurations, the [[Flakes]] feature has been gaining popularity within the community. While Flakes introduce some new concepts compared to traditional workflows, many users find them a convenient and organized approach to managing system and development configurations.		For users looking for a more streamlined and reproducible way to manage NixOS configurations, the [[Flakes]] feature has been gaining popularity within the community. While Flakes introduce some new concepts compared to traditional workflows, many users find them a convenient and organized approach to managing system and development configurations.

			<!--T:36-->
	Refer to [[NixOS system configuration#Defining NixOS as a flake]] for details on getting started.		Refer to [[NixOS system configuration#Defining NixOS as a flake]] for details on getting started.

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	Once your basic NixOS installation is complete and functional, you can further customize your system with a variety of optional configurations tailored for desktop use. For a list of recommended initial system configurations, see [[NixOS Installation Guide#NixOS configuration]].		Once your basic NixOS installation is complete and functional, you can further customize your system with a variety of optional configurations tailored for desktop use. For a list of recommended initial system configurations, see [[NixOS Installation Guide#NixOS configuration]].

			<!--T:37-->
	Common configuration areas include:		Common configuration areas include:

	==== Desktop Environments ====		==== Desktop Environments ==== <!--T:38-->

			<!--T:39-->
	Install and configure full-featured environments such as [[GNOME]], [[KDE Plasma]], or [[Xfce]].		Install and configure full-featured environments such as [[GNOME]], [[KDE Plasma]], or [[Xfce]].

			<!--T:40-->
	See [[:Category:Desktop environment]] for a full list.		See [[:Category:Desktop environment]] for a full list.

	==== Window Managers ====		==== Window Managers ==== <!--T:41-->

			<!--T:42-->
	Set up lightweight or tiling window managers like [[i3]], [[Sway]], [[Hyprland]], or [[xmonad]].		Set up lightweight or tiling window managers like [[i3]], [[Sway]], [[Hyprland]], or [[xmonad]].

			<!--T:43-->
	See [[:Category:Window managers]] for a full list.		See [[:Category:Window managers]] for a full list.

	==== Display Managers (Login Managers) ====		==== Display Managers (Login Managers) ==== <!--T:44-->

			<!--T:45-->
	Configure graphical session managers such as [[Gnome\|GDM]], [[KDE\|SDDM]], or [[LightDM]].		Configure graphical session managers such as [[Gnome\|GDM]], [[KDE\|SDDM]], or [[LightDM]].

	==== Audio Setup ====		==== Audio Setup ==== <!--T:46-->

			<!--T:47-->
	Enable and configure [[:Category:Audio\|audio]] systems like [[PipeWire]], [[PulseAudio]], or [[ALSA]].		Enable and configure [[:Category:Audio\|audio]] systems like [[PipeWire]], [[PulseAudio]], or [[ALSA]].

	==== Network Management ====		==== Network Management ==== <!--T:48-->

			<!--T:49-->
	Use tools such as [[NetworkManager]] or [[systemd-networkd]] for managing [[Networking\|network]] connections.		Use tools such as [[NetworkManager]] or [[systemd-networkd]] for managing [[Networking\|network]] connections.

	==== Bluetooth Support ====		==== Bluetooth Support ==== <!--T:50-->

			<!--T:51-->
	Set up [[Bluetooth]] with blueman or other management tools.		Set up [[Bluetooth]] with blueman or other management tools.

	==== Power Management ====		==== Power Management ==== <!--T:52-->

			<!--T:53-->
	Configure [[laptop]] [[Power Management\|battery management]], suspend, and hibernation with tools like [[Laptop#tlp\|tlp]] or [[systemd]] services.		Configure [[laptop]] [[Power Management\|battery management]], suspend, and hibernation with tools like [[Laptop#tlp\|tlp]] or [[systemd]] services.

	==== Printing and Scanning ====		==== Printing and Scanning ==== <!--T:54-->

			<!--T:55-->
	Enable [[Cups]] for printer support and tools like Sane for [[Scanners\|scanning]] devices.		Enable [[Cups]] for printer support and tools like Sane for [[Scanners\|scanning]] devices.

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	=== Modularizing your configuration with modules === <!--T:13-->		=== Modularizing your configuration with modules === <!--T:13-->

			<!--T:56-->
	{{main\|NixOS system configuration#Modularizing your configuration with modules}}		{{main\|NixOS system configuration#Modularizing your configuration with modules}}

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	* [[Wil T Nix Guides]] Youtube video format guide		* [[Wil T Nix Guides]] Youtube video format guide

			<!--T:57-->
	[[Category:Desktop]]		[[Category:Desktop]]
	[[Category:Guide]]		[[Category:Guide]]
	[[Category:NixOS]]		[[Category:NixOS]]
	</translate>		</translate>

Pigs: update flake link to new page

2025-06-09T05:49:37Z

update flake link to new page

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:49, 9 June 2025
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	For users looking for a more streamlined and reproducible way to manage NixOS configurations, the [[Flakes]] feature has been gaining popularity within the community. While Flakes introduce some new concepts compared to traditional workflows, many users find them a convenient and organized approach to managing system and development configurations.		For users looking for a more streamlined and reproducible way to manage NixOS configurations, the [[Flakes]] feature has been gaining popularity within the community. While Flakes introduce some new concepts compared to traditional workflows, many users find them a convenient and organized approach to managing system and development configurations.

	Refer to [[~~Flakes~~#NixOS ~~configuration with flakes~~]] for details on getting started.		Refer to [[NixOS system configuration#Defining NixOS as a flake]] for details on getting started.

	== Beyond initial setup == <!--T:21-->		== Beyond initial setup == <!--T:21-->

Pigs: /* System Configuration */ add link to system configuration

2025-06-09T05:16:20Z

System Configuration: add link to system configuration

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:16, 9 June 2025
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	=== System Configuration ===		=== System Configuration ===

			{{main\|NixOS system configuration}}

	The primary configuration file, <code>/etc/nixos/configuration.nix</code>, defines system-wide settings. This includes options like enabling services, managing system users, setting hardware options, and specifying installed packages. Changes are applied with:		The primary configuration file, <code>/etc/nixos/configuration.nix</code>, defines system-wide settings. This includes options like enabling services, managing system users, setting hardware options, and specifying installed packages. Changes are applied with:

Pigs: Move module configuration to the system configuration page

2025-06-08T17:59:26Z

Move module configuration to the system configuration page

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 === Modularizing your configuration with modules === <!--T:13-->
-<!--T:14-->
+{{main|NixOS system configuration#Modularizing your configuration with modules}}
 == See also == <!--T:23-->

Pigs: Make this page worthy of being linked to from the front page, complete rewrite and restructuring

2025-06-05T17:51:50Z

Make this page worthy of being linked to from the front page, complete rewrite and restructuring

Show changes

Mayer at 12:26, 25 February 2025

2025-02-25T12:26:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:26, 25 February 2025
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	* [https://github.com/topics/nixos-configuration nixos-configuration]		* [https://github.com/topics/nixos-configuration nixos-configuration]
	* [https://github.com/topics/nixos-dotfiles nixos-dotfiles]		* [https://github.com/topics/nixos-dotfiles nixos-dotfiles]
	~~</translate>~~

	[[Category:Desktop]]		[[Category:Desktop]]
	[[Category:Guide]]		[[Category:Guide]]
			</translate>

Haruki7049: Marked this version for translation

2024-11-10T08:50:39Z

Marked this version for translation

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:50, 10 November 2024
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	<languages/>		<languages/>
	<translate>		<translate>
			<!--T:1-->
	NixOS can be used for many purposes. If you want to use it as a primary desktop operating system for your daily use (either on bare metal or as a [https://twitter.com/mitchellh/status/1346136404682625024 secondary VM]), this page is for you. Even if your ambitions are to use NixOS in the cloud or on specially configured servers, you may want to start with the lessons outlined here in order to get more generally familiar with the Nix ecosystem.		NixOS can be used for many purposes. If you want to use it as a primary desktop operating system for your daily use (either on bare metal or as a [https://twitter.com/mitchellh/status/1346136404682625024 secondary VM]), this page is for you. Even if your ambitions are to use NixOS in the cloud or on specially configured servers, you may want to start with the lessons outlined here in order to get more generally familiar with the Nix ecosystem.

	== Installation ==		== Installation == <!--T:2-->

	=== Wiki method ===		=== Wiki method === <!--T:3-->

			<!--T:4-->
	If you prefer reading, see [[NixOS Installation Guide]] to get started. For a well presented video option, see video guide section immediately below. Keep in mind that, for a desktop installation, you will probably want to make sure you start with at least 30 GiB of available disk space to allow for the desktop environments (e.g. GNOME, KDE, or XFCE), browsers (e.g. Firefox), and other graphical applications (e.g. VSCode) that would be typical of daily use. 15 GiB might be enough in a pinch for a fairly bare-bones setup.		If you prefer reading, see [[NixOS Installation Guide]] to get started. For a well presented video option, see video guide section immediately below. Keep in mind that, for a desktop installation, you will probably want to make sure you start with at least 30 GiB of available disk space to allow for the desktop environments (e.g. GNOME, KDE, or XFCE), browsers (e.g. Firefox), and other graphical applications (e.g. VSCode) that would be typical of daily use. 15 GiB might be enough in a pinch for a fairly bare-bones setup.

	=== Video guide ===		=== Video guide === <!--T:5-->

			<!--T:6-->
	For a visual guide, see [[Wil T Nix Guides]]. The [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#NixOS_Installation_Guide\|second video]] is a concise installation guide. This 8-part series, produced in early 2021, also covers all the basics of using NixOS as a desktop and configuring it to your liking.		For a visual guide, see [[Wil T Nix Guides]]. The [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#NixOS_Installation_Guide\|second video]] is a concise installation guide. This 8-part series, produced in early 2021, also covers all the basics of using NixOS as a desktop and configuring it to your liking.

	== Managing your configuration ==		== Managing your configuration == <!--T:7-->

			<!--T:8-->
	It is possible to manage your entire configuration using the methods documented in the [https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/index.html NixOS official manual]. However, most community members who use NixOS on the desktop prefer to manage their user configurations (e.g. "dotfiles") using [[Home Manager]] (citation needed). Home Manager is a user oriented tool for declaring what you want installed and how you want it configured, and thus would be used in lieu of most settings you would otherwise put into a [https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/#sec-changing-config configuration.nix] or through [[FAQ#How_can_I_manage_software_with_nix-env_like_with_configuration.nix.3F\|nix-env]]		It is possible to manage your entire configuration using the methods documented in the [https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/index.html NixOS official manual]. However, most community members who use NixOS on the desktop prefer to manage their user configurations (e.g. "dotfiles") using [[Home Manager]] (citation needed). Home Manager is a user oriented tool for declaring what you want installed and how you want it configured, and thus would be used in lieu of most settings you would otherwise put into a [https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/#sec-changing-config configuration.nix] or through [[FAQ#How_can_I_manage_software_with_nix-env_like_with_configuration.nix.3F\|nix-env]]

	=== Video guide ===		=== Video guide === <!--T:9-->

			<!--T:10-->
	Wil T's guides are about an even mix of:		Wil T's guides are about an even mix of:
	# Hands-on bootstrapping to get to being able to very capably manage your system using Home Manager, git versioning, and eventually Flakes.		# Hands-on bootstrapping to get to being able to very capably manage your system using Home Manager, git versioning, and eventually Flakes.
	# Conceptual overviews and general exposition of the Nix ecosystem, community, and available resources.		# Conceptual overviews and general exposition of the Nix ecosystem, community, and available resources.

			<!--T:11-->
	The [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#NixOS_Installation_Guide\|second video]], starting from about 27 minutes in, is also an introduction to and guide to setting up Home Manager.		The [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#NixOS_Installation_Guide\|second video]], starting from about 27 minutes in, is also an introduction to and guide to setting up Home Manager.

	== Modularizing your configuration ==		== Modularizing your configuration == <!--T:12-->

	=== With NixOS Modules ===		=== With NixOS Modules === <!--T:13-->

			<!--T:14-->
	configuration.nix is an instance of a [[NixOS modules\|NixOS module]], which makes it easy to break your configuration into several files. Modules can:		configuration.nix is an instance of a [[NixOS modules\|NixOS module]], which makes it easy to break your configuration into several files. Modules can:

			<!--T:15-->
	* Import other modules		* Import other modules
	* Declare new options		* Declare new options
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	* Reference option values from other modules (via the <code>config</code> attribute passed to all modules)		* Reference option values from other modules (via the <code>config</code> attribute passed to all modules)

			<!--T:16-->
	As long as you declare options for any values you want to share between modules, you can divide your configuration however you like into files that get imported, directly or transitively, by your root configuration.nix file. You can also import modules from remote sources, using functions like <code>builtins.fetchTarball</code>. See the [[NixOS modules\|wiki page]] or the [https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/#sec-writing-modules NixOS manual] for more information.		As long as you declare options for any values you want to share between modules, you can divide your configuration however you like into files that get imported, directly or transitively, by your root configuration.nix file. You can also import modules from remote sources, using functions like <code>builtins.fetchTarball</code>. See the [[NixOS modules\|wiki page]] or the [https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/#sec-writing-modules NixOS manual] for more information.

	=== With Flakes ===		=== With Flakes === <!--T:17-->

			<!--T:18-->
	If you want a more composable<sup>[citation needed]</sup> NixOS configuration setup, the still-experimental [[Flakes]] feature is causing a lot of excitement in the community. Managing flakes requires a good basic understanding and some existing hands on experience with the Nix ecosystem.		If you want a more composable<sup>[citation needed]</sup> NixOS configuration setup, the still-experimental [[Flakes]] feature is causing a lot of excitement in the community. Managing flakes requires a good basic understanding and some existing hands on experience with the Nix ecosystem.

	==== Video guide ====		==== Video guide ==== <!--T:19-->

			<!--T:20-->
	Videos [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#Intro_to_Flakes\|seven]] and [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#Moving_NixOS_System_Configuration_into_a_Flake\|eight]] of Wil T's original 8-part series are a good overview of what Flakes enable and how to get started with them.		Videos [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#Intro_to_Flakes\|seven]] and [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#Moving_NixOS_System_Configuration_into_a_Flake\|eight]] of Wil T's original 8-part series are a good overview of what Flakes enable and how to get started with them.

	== Beyond initial setup ==		== Beyond initial setup == <!--T:21-->

			<!--T:22-->
	After you are familiar with the Nix ecosystem and have a functional desktop install of NixOS, you will likely be interested in customizations and more detailed setup.		After you are familiar with the Nix ecosystem and have a functional desktop install of NixOS, you will likely be interested in customizations and more detailed setup.

	=== Learn by example ===		=== Learn by example === <!--T:23-->

			<!--T:24-->
	If you are comfortable managing your system through a git repo using flakes, then there are many repositories you can learn from now!		If you are comfortable managing your system through a git repo using flakes, then there are many repositories you can learn from now!

			<!--T:25-->
	Check out [[Comparison of NixOS setups]] for a table comparing some popular choices.		Check out [[Comparison of NixOS setups]] for a table comparing some popular choices.

			<!--T:26-->
	See [[Configuration Collection]] for a long list within the wiki.		See [[Configuration Collection]] for a long list within the wiki.

			<!--T:27-->
	Additionally, the following topic searches on Github should uncover many useful examples.		Additionally, the following topic searches on Github should uncover many useful examples.
	* [https://github.com/topics/nix-flake nix-flake]		* [https://github.com/topics/nix-flake nix-flake]

Haruki7049: Add translate tag and languages tag

2024-11-10T08:49:42Z

Add translate tag and languages tag

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:49, 10 November 2024
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			<languages/>
			<translate>
	NixOS can be used for many purposes. If you want to use it as a primary desktop operating system for your daily use (either on bare metal or as a [https://twitter.com/mitchellh/status/1346136404682625024 secondary VM]), this page is for you. Even if your ambitions are to use NixOS in the cloud or on specially configured servers, you may want to start with the lessons outlined here in order to get more generally familiar with the Nix ecosystem.		NixOS can be used for many purposes. If you want to use it as a primary desktop operating system for your daily use (either on bare metal or as a [https://twitter.com/mitchellh/status/1346136404682625024 secondary VM]), this page is for you. Even if your ambitions are to use NixOS in the cloud or on specially configured servers, you may want to start with the lessons outlined here in order to get more generally familiar with the Nix ecosystem.

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	=== With NixOS Modules ===		=== With NixOS Modules ===

	configuration.nix is an instance of a [[NixOS modules\|NixOS module]], which makes it easy to break your configuration into several files. Modules can:		configuration.nix is an instance of a [[NixOS modules\|NixOS module]], which makes it easy to break your configuration into several files. Modules can:

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	=== With Flakes ===		=== With Flakes ===

	If you want a more composable<sup>[citation needed]</sup> NixOS configuration setup, the still-experimental [[Flakes]] feature is causing a lot of excitement in the community. Managing flakes requires a good basic understanding and some existing hands on experience with the Nix ecosystem.		If you want a more composable<sup>[citation needed]</sup> NixOS configuration setup, the still-experimental [[Flakes]] feature is causing a lot of excitement in the community. Managing flakes requires a good basic understanding and some existing hands on experience with the Nix ecosystem.

	==== Video guide ====		==== Video guide ====

	Videos [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#Intro_to_Flakes\|seven]] and [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#Moving_NixOS_System_Configuration_into_a_Flake\|eight]] of Wil T's original 8-part series are a good overview of what Flakes enable and how to get started with them.		Videos [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#Intro_to_Flakes\|seven]] and [[Wil_T_Nix_Guides#Moving_NixOS_System_Configuration_into_a_Flake\|eight]] of Wil T's original 8-part series are a good overview of what Flakes enable and how to get started with them.

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	* [https://github.com/topics/nixos-configuration nixos-configuration]		* [https://github.com/topics/nixos-configuration nixos-configuration]
	* [https://github.com/topics/nixos-dotfiles nixos-dotfiles]		* [https://github.com/topics/nixos-dotfiles nixos-dotfiles]
			</translate>

	[[Category:Desktop]]		[[Category:Desktop]]
	[[Category:Guide]]		[[Category:Guide]]

Bot-wxt1221: Undo revision 15517 by Bot-wxt1221 (talk)

2024-07-24T11:48:53Z

Undo revision 15517 by Bot-wxt1221 (talk)

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:48, 24 July 2024
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	NixOS ~~可被用于多种用途。~~ If you want to use it as a primary desktop operating system for your daily use (either on bare metal or as a [https://twitter.com/mitchellh/status/1346136404682625024 secondary VM]), this page is for you. Even if your ambitions are to use NixOS in the cloud or on specially configured servers, you may want to start with the lessons outlined here in order to get more generally familiar with the Nix ecosystem.		NixOS can be used for many purposes. If you want to use it as a primary desktop operating system for your daily use (either on bare metal or as a [https://twitter.com/mitchellh/status/1346136404682625024 secondary VM]), this page is for you. Even if your ambitions are to use NixOS in the cloud or on specially configured servers, you may want to start with the lessons outlined here in order to get more generally familiar with the Nix ecosystem.

	== Installation ==		== Installation ==