Contributing

It is possible to contribute to Nix(OS) in different ways:

• Contributing to Nix
• Contributing to the documentation
• Contributing to the Official NixOS Wiki (see below)
• Contributing to Nixpkgs (see below)

Contributing to Nix

See the Nix repository contribution guide.

Contributing to Nixpkgs

Contributing to Nixpkgs, the package repository for the Nix package manager, helps maintain and improve the ecosystem of software available to Nix users.

• Guide on Contributing to the packages in Nixpkgs
• Guide on Contributing to Nixpkgs in general

Contributing to the documentation

Reference documentation and learning materials for using Nix standalone are maintained on nix.dev by the Nix documentation team.

See Contributing Documentation for how you can help.

Contributing to the Official NixOS Wiki

Contributing to the official NixOS Wiki is an invaluable way to improve documentation, share knowledge, and support users in navigating the NixOS ecosystem. This guide provides clear steps to help you begin contributing effectively to the NixOS Wiki.

2.1 Getting started

Before you start contributing, familiarize yourself with the structure and purpose of the NixOS Wiki:

• Explore the wiki: Visit this Wiki's main categories to understand its organization and the types of content it hosts. The wiki covers installation guides, configuration tips, package management, and more.
• Engage with the community: Join discussions on platforms like the GitHub Wiki Repository. Active participation can highlight areas where documentation needs improvement.

2.2 Contributing Content

Contributions to the NixOS Wiki involve creating new pages or editing existing ones to improve clarity and relevance:

• Create a wiki account: Register an account on the NixOS Wiki to start contributing. This allows you to create and edit pages directly.
• Identify areas for improvement: Review current wiki pages to find gaps or areas that could benefit from more detailed explanations. Focus on topics that are frequently discussed or updated in the community forums.
• Understand the wiki structure: Familiarize yourself with the wiki's category system to ensure your contributions are properly organized and easily discoverable.

2.3 writing and editing wiki pages

Follow these guidelines when writing or editing content on the NixOS Wiki:

• Learn the syntax: The NixOS Wiki uses MediaWiki markup. Familiarize yourself with this syntax to format your contributions effectively.
• Provide context and examples: Ensure content is clear and understandable. Include examples and practical advice to help users implement solutions effectively. When possible, provide both simple and advanced examples to cater to users of different skill levels.
• Linking: Use internal wiki links to connect related pages and external links to reputable sources for further reading. This helps users navigate through related topics seamlessly. Add them to the "References" category too.
• Use templates: Use existing wiki templates to maintain consistency across pages and provide standardized information.

2.4 Submitting edits

Once you've prepared your contributions, submit them to the NixOS Wiki:

• Save page: Use the wiki's editing interface to save the changes directly. Preview your edits to ensure they appear as intended before saving.
• Document changes: Write a concise summary of your edits in the edit summary box. This informs other contributors about the purpose of your changes and helps maintain a clear edit history.
• Follow the style guide: Adhere to the NixOS Manual of Style to ensure consistency across the wiki.

2.5 Engaging in discussions

Stay connected with the NixOS Wiki community to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing:

• Discuss changes: Participate in discussions on the wiki's discussion pages or relevant community forums. Solicit feedback on proposed changes to refine content and ensure accuracy.
• Review and update: Regularly review existing wiki pages to keep information current. Update content based on new features, community feedback, or changes in the NixOS environment.

2.6 Advanced contributions

For those looking to make more significant contributions:

• Create new sections: Identify and propose new sections or categories that could benefit the wiki's structure and organization.
• Categorize articles: You can categorise pages adding one or more category tags.
• Translate content: Help make the NixOS Wiki more accessible by contributing translations to other languages.
• Develop wiki tools: If you have programming skills, consider contributing to tools that can help maintain and improve the wiki, such as bots for automated tasks or extensions to enhance wiki functionality.

2.7 Conclusion

Contributing to the official NixOS Wiki allows you to improve the community's knowledge base and support users in adopting and maintaining NixOS effectively. By adhering to these guidelines and actively engaging with the community, you play a vital role in improving the accessibility and comprehensiveness of NixOS documentation.

Remember that the NixOS Wiki is a living document, continuously evolving with the NixOS ecosystem. Your contributions, no matter how small, are valuable in keeping this resource up-to-date and helpful for users worldwide.

References

• Types of documentation