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Added a repository column for all projects, added website or docs links where appropriate, added longer descriptions of how projects are related to nix or nixOS and how, added a description for spectrum, added new table for deprecated OSes.
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== Linux distributions and their relation to NixOS ==
== Linux distributions and their relation to NixOS ==
This table lists a non-exhaustive selection of Linux distributions based on NixOS, forked from NixOS, or derived from Nix or NixOS in any other way. Github repositories are linked for distributions that do not have homepages elsewhere.
This table lists a non-exhaustive selection of Linux distributions based on NixOS, forked from NixOS, or derived from Nix or NixOS in any other way.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Distribution
!Distribution
!Repository
!Relation to NixOS
!Relation to NixOS
!Status
!Status
Line 9: Line 10:
|-
|-
|[https://asterinas.github.io/ Asterinas NixOS]
|[https://asterinas.github.io/ Asterinas NixOS]
|Based on
|https://github.com/asterinas/asterinas
|
* Based on NixOS
* Alternate kernel
|Released
|Released
|Asterinas is a hybrid kernel written in rust with the aim of replicating Linux at the syscall level. Asterinas NixOS is an operating system built using nix and nixpkgs, but with the Asterinas kernel instead of the Linux kernel.
|Asterinas is a hybrid kernel written in rust with the aim of replicating Linux at the syscall level. Asterinas NixOS is an operating system built using nix and nixpkgs, but with the Asterinas kernel instead of the Linux kernel.
|-
|-
|[https://athenaos.org/ Athena OS]
|[https://athenaos.org/ Athena OS]
|Based on
|https://github.com/Athena-OS/athena
|
* Based on NixOS
|Pre-release
|Pre-release
|For pentesting. Currently available under both Arch and Nix/NixOS
|For pentesting. Currently available under both Arch and Nix/NixOS
|-
|-
|[https://auxolotl.org Auxolotl]
|[https://auxolotl.org Auxolotl]
|Forked
|https://git.auxolotl.org/auxolotl
|
* Built with nix
* Alternative to nixpkgs
|Work in progress (WIP)
|Work in progress (WIP)
|Auxolotl (or aux) is a community-made alternative to nixpkgs. It borrows some ideas from Guix, such as a binary bootstrap. It is also working to improve on the developer experience of nixpkgs. Not yet ready for daily use.
|Auxolotl (or aux) is a community-made alternative to nixpkgs. It borrows some ideas from Guix, such as a binary bootstrap. It is also working to improve on the developer experience of nixpkgs. Not yet ready for daily use.
|-
|-
|[https://github.com/cloud-gouv/bureautix-example Bureautix]
|Bureautix
|Based on
|https://github.com/cloud-gouv/bureautix-example
|
* Based on NixOS
|Beta
|Beta
|Bureautix is a working implementation of Sécurix for use in office workstations, IT operations, and bureaucratic institutions who want a secure operating system.
|Bureautix is a working implementation of Sécurix for use in office workstations, IT operations, and bureaucratic institutions who want a secure operating system.
|-
|-
|[https://docs.ctrl-os.com/ CTRL-OS]
|[https://docs.ctrl-os.com/ CTRL-OS]
|Based on
|N/A
|
* Based on
* LTS of nixpkgs
|Open Beta
|Open Beta
|CTRL-OS is a commercially supported downstream distribution of NixOS focused on embedded devices. Offers a 5 year long-term support release that meets the conditions of the Cyber  Resilience Act (CRA).
|CTRL-OS is a commercially supported downstream distribution of NixOS focused on embedded devices. Offers a 5 year long-term support release that meets the conditions of the Cyber  Resilience Act (CRA).
|-
|-
|[https://github.com/jonhermansen/darnix Darnix]
|Darnix
|Based on
|https://github.com/jonhermansen/darnix
|
* Built with nix
* Alternative kernel
* Alternative PID 1
|Work in Progress (WIP)
|Work in Progress (WIP)
|A working Darwin environment built using nix. Includes a working Darwin kernel and XNU. Not yet ready for daily use.
|A working Darwin environment built using nix. Includes a working Darwin kernel and XNU. Not yet ready for daily use.
|-
|-
|[https://gitlab.com/eduos2/EduOS EduOS]
|EduOS
|Based on
|https://gitlab.com/eduos2/EduOS
|
* Based on NixOS
|Released
|Released
|A purpose-built operating system used for administering the high-school French national exam in computer science.
|A purpose-built operating system used for administering the high-school French national exam in computer science.
|-
|-
|[https://github.com/finix-community/finix Finix]
|Finix
|Based on
|https://github.com/finix-community/finix
|
* Based on NixOS
* Alternative PID 1
* Soft fork of nixpkgs
|Work in progress (WIP)
|Work in progress (WIP)
|NixOS with finit as PID 1 as. Currently working in an experimental capacity with most systems.
|NixOS with finit as PID 1 as. Currently working in an experimental capacity with most systems.
|-
|-
|[https://glfos.org/ GLF OS]
|[https://glfos.org/ GLF OS]
|Based on
|https://framagit.org/gaming-linux-fr/glf-os/glf-os
|
* Based on NixOS
|Released
|Released
|Community distro for beginners and gaming oriented
|Community distro for beginners and gaming oriented
|-
|-
|[https://guix.gnu.org/ Guix System]
|[https://guix.gnu.org/ Guix System]
|Forked
|https://codeberg.org/guix/guix.git
|
* Fork of nix
* Alternative kernel
* Alternative package set
|Released
|Released
|NixOS but Guile Scheme instead of Nix and GNU underpinnings. Forked via "Developer & code sharing, project merging".
|NixOS but Guile Scheme instead of Nix and GNU underpinnings. Forked via "Developer & code sharing, project merging".
|-
|-
|[https://www.liminix.org/ Liminix]
|[https://www.liminix.org/ Liminix]
|Based on
|https://gti.telent.net/dan/liminix
|
* Based on NixOS
|Work in progress (WIP)
|Work in progress (WIP)
|Nix-based OpenWRT-style embedded Linux system for configuring consumer wifi routers.
|Nix-based OpenWRT-style embedded Linux system for configuring consumer wifi routers.
|-
|-
|[https://jovian-experiments.github.io/Jovian-NixOS/ Jovian-NixOS]
|[https://jovian-experiments.github.io/Jovian-NixOS/ Jovian-NixOS]
|Based on
|https://github.com/Jovian-Experiments/Jovian-NixOS/
|
* Based on NixOS
|Released
|Released
|A set of configuration and packages for running NixOS on a Steamdeck.
|A set of configuration and packages for running NixOS on a Steamdeck.
|-
|-
|[https://mobile-nixos.github.io/mobile-nixos/index.html Mobile NixOS]
|[https://mobile-nixos.github.io/mobile-nixos/index.html Mobile NixOS]
|Based on
|https://github.com/mobile-nixos/mobile-nixos
|
* Based on NixOS
|Released
|Released
|A mobile-phone operating system built using NixOS. Works only on select devices.
|A mobile-phone operating system built using NixOS. Works only on select devices.
|-
|-
|[https://nixbookos.org/ NixBook]
|[https://nixbookos.org/ NixBook]
|Based on
|https://github.com/mkellyxp/nixbook
|
* Based on NixOS
|Released
|Released
|Self-updating, simple, minimal, set-and-forget, Chromebook-like NixOS operating system for total beginners. Offers "standard" and "minimal" flavors. Aims to be a replacement to Windows and MacOS for average users.  
|Self-updating, simple, minimal, set-and-forget, Chromebook-like NixOS operating system for total beginners. Offers "standard" and "minimal" flavors. Aims to be a replacement to Windows and MacOS for average users.  
|-
|-
|[https://github.com/nixos-bsd/nixbsd/ NixBSD]
|NixBSD
|Forked
|https://github.com/nixos-bsd/nixbsd/
|
* Fork of nixpkgs
* Alternative kernel
|Released
|Released
|Unofficial NixOS fork with a FreeBSD kernel.
|Unofficial NixOS fork with a FreeBSD kernel.
|-
|-
|[https://github.com/nix-community/NixNG/ NixNG]
|NixNG
|Based on
|https://github.com/nix-community/NixNG/
|
* Based on NixOS
* Alternative PID 1
|Work in progress (WIP)
|Work in progress (WIP)
|Lightweight NixOS for containers with multiple non-<code>systemd</code> init systems and a "minimal by default" package set.
|Lightweight NixOS for containers with multiple non-<code>systemd</code> init systems and a "minimal by default" package set.
|-
|-
|[https://github.com/nasty-project/nasty NASty]
|NASty
|Based on
|https://github.com/nasty-project/nasty
|
* Based on NixOS
|WIP but released ;)
|WIP but released ;)
|NAS operating system built on NixOS and bcachefs.
|NAS operating system built on NixOS and bcachefs.
|-
|-
|[https://github.com/redcode-labs/RedNixOS/ RedNixOS]
|Sécurix
|Based on
|https://github.com/cloud-gouv/securix
|Alpha
|
|For cybersecurity enthusiasts.
* Based on NixOS
|-
|[https://github.com/cloud-gouv/securix Sécurix]
|Based on
|Beta
|Beta
|Sécurix is a NixOS-based secure operating system tailored for small to medium-sized teams. It provides a minimal, hardened environment with strong isolation, reproducibility, and policy-driven configurations to ensure operational security and compliance.
|Sécurix is a NixOS-based secure operating system tailored for small to medium-sized teams. It provides a minimal, hardened environment with strong isolation, reproducibility, and policy-driven configurations to ensure operational security and compliance.
|-
|-
|[https://snowflakeos.org/ SnowflakeOS]
|[https://snowflakeos.org/ SnowflakeOS]
|Based on
|https://github.com/snowfallorg
|
* Based on NixOS
|Alpha
|Alpha
|For beginners. Not yet ready for daily use.
|For beginners. Not yet ready for daily use.
|-
|-
|[https://spectrum-os.org/ Spectrum]
|[https://spectrum-os.org/ Spectrum]
|Includes <code>nixpkgs</code>
|https://spectrum-os.org/git/
|
* Includes <code>nixpkgs</code>
|Work in progress (WIP)
|Work in progress (WIP)
|Spectrum is a project that aims to create a computer operating system, based on the principle of security by compartmentalization, that has a lower barrier to entry and is easier to use and maintain than other such systems.
|-
|[https://vpsadminos.org/ vpsAdminOS]
|https://github.com/vpsfreecz/vpsadminos
|
* Based on NixOS
|Released
|vpsAdminOS is a small OS serving as a host for unprivileged Linux system containers. It is based on NixOS and not-os.
|}
== Deprecated distributions ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Distribution
!Repository
!Relation to NixOS
!Reason Depricated
!Notes
|-
|[https://noteed.com/not-os/ not-os]
|https://github.com/noteed/not-os/
|
* Based on NixOS
|Unmaintained
|An operating system builder for embedded systems.
|-
|RedNixOS
|https://github.com/redcode-labs/RedNixOS/
|
|
* Based on NixOS
|Unmaintained
|A NixOS build for cybersecurity enthusiasts.
|}
|}
[[Category:Lists]]
[[Category:Lists]]

Revision as of 20:59, 28 May 2026

Linux distributions and their relation to NixOS

This table lists a non-exhaustive selection of Linux distributions based on NixOS, forked from NixOS, or derived from Nix or NixOS in any other way.

Distribution Repository Relation to NixOS Status Notes
Asterinas NixOS https://github.com/asterinas/asterinas
  • Based on NixOS
  • Alternate kernel
 Released Asterinas is a hybrid kernel written in rust with the aim of replicating Linux at the syscall level. Asterinas NixOS is an operating system built using nix and nixpkgs, but with the Asterinas kernel instead of the Linux kernel.
Athena OS https://github.com/Athena-OS/athena
  • Based on NixOS
 Pre-release For pentesting. Currently available under both Arch and Nix/NixOS
Auxolotl https://git.auxolotl.org/auxolotl
  • Built with nix
  • Alternative to nixpkgs
 Work in progress (WIP) Auxolotl (or aux) is a community-made alternative to nixpkgs. It borrows some ideas from Guix, such as a binary bootstrap. It is also working to improve on the developer experience of nixpkgs. Not yet ready for daily use.
Bureautix https://github.com/cloud-gouv/bureautix-example
  • Based on NixOS
 Beta Bureautix is a working implementation of Sécurix for use in office workstations, IT operations, and bureaucratic institutions who want a secure operating system.
CTRL-OS N/A
  • Based on
  • LTS of nixpkgs
 Open Beta CTRL-OS is a commercially supported downstream distribution of NixOS focused on embedded devices. Offers a 5 year long-term support release that meets the conditions of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).
Darnix https://github.com/jonhermansen/darnix
  • Built with nix
  • Alternative kernel
  • Alternative PID 1
 Work in Progress (WIP) A working Darwin environment built using nix. Includes a working Darwin kernel and XNU. Not yet ready for daily use.
EduOS https://gitlab.com/eduos2/EduOS
  • Based on NixOS
 Released A purpose-built operating system used for administering the high-school French national exam in computer science.
Finix https://github.com/finix-community/finix
  • Based on NixOS
  • Alternative PID 1
  • Soft fork of nixpkgs
 Work in progress (WIP) NixOS with finit as PID 1 as. Currently working in an experimental capacity with most systems.
GLF OS https://framagit.org/gaming-linux-fr/glf-os/glf-os
  • Based on NixOS
 Released Community distro for beginners and gaming oriented
Guix System https://codeberg.org/guix/guix.git
  • Fork of nix
  • Alternative kernel
  • Alternative package set
 Released NixOS but Guile Scheme instead of Nix and GNU underpinnings. Forked via "Developer & code sharing, project merging".
Liminix https://gti.telent.net/dan/liminix
  • Based on NixOS
 Work in progress (WIP) Nix-based OpenWRT-style embedded Linux system for configuring consumer wifi routers.
Jovian-NixOS https://github.com/Jovian-Experiments/Jovian-NixOS/
  • Based on NixOS
 Released A set of configuration and packages for running NixOS on a Steamdeck.
Mobile NixOS https://github.com/mobile-nixos/mobile-nixos
  • Based on NixOS
 Released A mobile-phone operating system built using NixOS. Works only on select devices.
NixBook https://github.com/mkellyxp/nixbook
  • Based on NixOS
 Released Self-updating, simple, minimal, set-and-forget, Chromebook-like NixOS operating system for total beginners. Offers "standard" and "minimal" flavors. Aims to be a replacement to Windows and MacOS for average users.
NixBSD https://github.com/nixos-bsd/nixbsd/
  • Fork of nixpkgs
  • Alternative kernel
 Released Unofficial NixOS fork with a FreeBSD kernel.
NixNG https://github.com/nix-community/NixNG/
  • Based on NixOS
  • Alternative PID 1
 Work in progress (WIP) Lightweight NixOS for containers with multiple non-systemd init systems and a "minimal by default" package set.
NASty https://github.com/nasty-project/nasty
  • Based on NixOS
 WIP but released ;) NAS operating system built on NixOS and bcachefs.
Sécurix https://github.com/cloud-gouv/securix
  • Based on NixOS
 Beta Sécurix is a NixOS-based secure operating system tailored for small to medium-sized teams. It provides a minimal, hardened environment with strong isolation, reproducibility, and policy-driven configurations to ensure operational security and compliance.
SnowflakeOS https://github.com/snowfallorg
  • Based on NixOS
 Alpha For beginners. Not yet ready for daily use.
Spectrum https://spectrum-os.org/git/
  • Includes nixpkgs
 Work in progress (WIP) Spectrum is a project that aims to create a computer operating system, based on the principle of security by compartmentalization, that has a lower barrier to entry and is easier to use and maintain than other such systems.
vpsAdminOS https://github.com/vpsfreecz/vpsadminos
  • Based on NixOS
 Released vpsAdminOS is a small OS serving as a host for unprivileged Linux system containers. It is based on NixOS and not-os.

Deprecated distributions

Distribution Repository Relation to NixOS Reason Depricated Notes
not-os https://github.com/noteed/not-os/
  • Based on NixOS
 Unmaintained An operating system builder for embedded systems.
RedNixOS https://github.com/redcode-labs/RedNixOS/
  • Based on NixOS
 Unmaintained A NixOS build for cybersecurity enthusiasts.
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