my system configurations ^-^
42willow.github.io
1# Nix cheat sheet
2
3> [!warning]
4> this is bad, improvements coming soon™
5
6
7## `nix-env` package management
8
9| action | Ubuntu | Nix | notes |
10| :------------------ | :--------------------------- | :--------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
11| update package list | `sudo apt update` | `sudo nix-channel --update` | |
12| search | `apt search <query>` | `nix search <query>` | also try [search.nixos.org/packages](https://search.nixos.org/packages) |
13| install | `sudo apt install <package>` | `nix-env -i <package>` | no root, atomic, per user |
14| upgrade installed | `sudo apt upgrade` | `nix-env -u` | no root, atomic, per user |
15| remove | `sudo apt remove <package>` | `nix-env -e <package>` | no root, atomic, per user |
16| undo last operation | ... | `nix-env --rollback` | no root, atomic, per user |
17| list installed | `dpkg -l` | `nix-env -q` | per user |
18| show generations | ... | `nix-env --list-generations` | |
19
20## `nix-shell` isolated build/dev/run environments
21
22Nix Reference Manual: [nix.dev](https://nix.dev/manual/nix/2.18/command-ref/new-cli/nix3-shell)
23
24| command | result |
25| :------------------------ | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
26| `nix-shell -p <packages>` | start shell in env with `<packages>` |
27| `nix-shell` | start shell in the env defined by `shell.nix` or `default.nix` in current dir |
28| `nix-shell --pure` | same, but outside env is inaccessible |
29
30## `nix run` run a nix application
31
32Nix Reference Manual: [nix.dev](https://nix.dev/manual/nix/2.18/command-ref/new-cli/nix3-run)
33
34Examples:
35nix run nixpkgs#vim
36nix run nixpkgs#statix -- help
37nix run github:astro/deadnix -- -eq .
38
39## NixOS declarative operating system configuration management
40
41| command | result | notes |
42| :---------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------- |
43| edit `/etc/nixos/configuration.nix` | define new system configuration | running system is unaffected |
44| `nixos-rebuild switch` | switch to the configuration defined in `/etc/nixos/configuration.nix` | atomic\* |
45| `nixos-rebuild switch --rollback` | switch to previous configuration | atomic\* |
46| `nixos-option <option>` | show option value and documentation | also try [search.nixos.org/options](https://search.nixos.org/options) |
47
48\*services can fail to start
49
50## Useful linting commands
51
52### Alejandra
53
54[GitHub](https://github.com/kamadorueda/alejandra)
55
56### Deadnix
57
58[GitHub](https://github.com/astro/deadnix)
59
60#### Check
61
62```bash
63nix run github:astro/deadnix -- .
64```
65
66#### Format
67
68Remember to commit/stage to git first, as this command will change files.
69
70```bash
71nix run github:astro/deadnix -- -eq .
72```