NixOS as a desktop: Difference between revisions
m update flake link to new page |
Marked this version for translation Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
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. | ||
| Line 37: | Line 43: | ||
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. | ||
| Line 44: | Line 51: | ||
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. | ||
| Line 86: | Line 104: | ||
=== 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}} | ||
| Line 97: | Line 116: | ||
* [[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> | ||
Latest revision as of 21:06, 7 October 2025
NixOS is a versatile operating system suitable for a wide range of use cases. This page is intended for users who wish to run NixOS as their primary desktop environment, either on physical hardware or within a virtual machine. Additionally, users planning to deploy NixOS in cloud environments or on specialized server infrastructure may find it helpful to begin with the concepts and practices introduced here, as they provide a useful foundation for working within the broader Nix ecosystem.
Installation
Refer to NixOS Installation Guide to get started. 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, web browsers, and other graphical applications, that would be typical of daily use. 15 GiB might be enough for a fairly bare-bones setup.
Managing your configuration
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 /etc/nixos/configuration.nix. These settings can then be applied consistently and reproducibly across machines.
The process for managing your configuration is documented in the NixOS official manual.
System Configuration
- Main article: NixOS system configuration
The primary configuration file, /etc/nixos/configuration.nix, defines system-wide settings. This includes options like enabling services, managing system users, setting hardware options, and specifying installed packages. Changes are applied with:
# nixos-rebuild switch
User configuration with Home Manager
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 configuration.nix.
Home Manager can be used independently of the system configuration and works with both traditional setups and newer Flakes-based configurations.
With Flakes
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 NixOS system configuration#Defining NixOS as a flake for details on getting started.
Beyond initial setup
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.
Common configuration areas include:
Desktop Environments
Install and configure full-featured environments such as GNOME, KDE Plasma, or Xfce.
See Category:Desktop environment for a full list.
Window Managers
Set up lightweight or tiling window managers like i3, Sway, Hyprland, or xmonad.
See Category:Window managers for a full list.
Display Managers (Login Managers)
Configure graphical session managers such as GDM, SDDM, or LightDM.
Audio Setup
Enable and configure audio systems like PipeWire, PulseAudio, or ALSA.
Network Management
Use tools such as NetworkManager or systemd-networkd for managing network connections.
Bluetooth Support
Set up Bluetooth with blueman or other management tools.
Power Management
Configure laptop battery management, suspend, and hibernation with tools like tlp or systemd services.
Printing and Scanning
Enable Cups for printer support and tools like Sane for scanning devices.
Tips and tricks
Modularizing your configuration with modules
See also
- Overview of the NixOS Linux distribution
- Comparison of NixOS setups for a table comparing some popular choices.
- Configuration Collection for a long list within the wiki.
- nix-flake, nixos-configuration, nixos-dotfiles Github topics
- Wil T Nix Guides Youtube video format guide