NixOS Wiki

Getting started

This is the official NixOS Wiki. It includes topics not covered in the NixOS Manual: NixOS user guides, configuration examples, and troubleshooting tips.

NixOS is a Linux operating system based on the Nix package manager and the Nixpkgs package repository.

Newcomers to NixOS are encouraged to read the Nix Core Ecosystem overview article to get a comprehensive orientation. For more specific introductions, see:

If you want to try Nix standalone in another Linux distribution or on a Mac, take your first steps on nix.dev.

A lot of people use Home manager for managing the contents of their home directory, many use Flakes instead of the NixOS bi-annually release channels. Both add complexity and you may not even need them. Just start with NixOS and then add Home manager and/or Flakes to your setup when you are comfortable with NixOS (and you understand their relevance).

Setting up NixOS

On desktop, with NixOS as a desktop
On ARM, with NixOS on ARM
In the cloud, with NixOS friendly hosters

Documentation topics

First stop should be Resources, which serves as a gateway to the most important documentation. Some highlights below.

Primary reference material:

Major page categories: