Other Linux Distributions #

This repo is a NixOS workstation, but many user-level choices translate to Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, and other Linux distributions. Treat the Nix files as an inventory and policy reference, not as something another distro can apply directly.

Target Shape #

Area	Expected result
Desktop	GNOME or Umbriel with Noctalia, PipeWire, NetworkManager, and SSH.
Shell	Zsh login shell with Starship and a small alias set.
Editors	Neovim and Zed with language servers available on PATH.
Terminal	Ghostty, usually launching Zsh and sometimes Zellij.
Dev services	Docker, PostgreSQL, and Redis for local development.
CLI tools	ripgrep, fd, jq/yq, fzf, bat, direnv, just, and common compilers.
Fonts	Nerd fonts plus Inter, Open Sans, Noto, and other UI/code fonts.
Secrets	SOPS-extracted SSH keys under a normal user-owned path.

Translation Map #

NixOS source	Portable equivalent
environment.systemPackages	Distro packages, language installers, or Nix profile packages.
home.packages	Distro packages or Home Manager outside NixOS.
programs.* Home Manager options	Dotfiles under ~/.config or app-native settings.
services.* NixOS options	Native systemd units and distro service packages.
sops.secrets.*	Decrypt with SOPS to files under ~/.local/share/sops.
conf/modules/*	Copy selected app config directories into ~/.config.

What Copies Cleanly #

Component	Portable approach
Zellij	Copy conf/modules/zellij to ~/.config/zellij.
Neovim	Clone github:desertthunder/nvim to ~/.config/nvim.
Starship	Copy conf/modules/starship.toml to ~/.config/starship.toml.
Zathura	Copy conf/modules/zathura/zathurarc.
Fastfetch	Copy conf/modules/fastfetch.
ripgrep	Recreate the small config from the program page or source.
SSH keys	Use conf/scripts/keys.sh after placing the age key.

What Needs Native Distro Setup #

Area	Notes
Desktop session	Install GNOME or Umbriel, Noctalia, portals, and a login manager.
System services	Enable Docker, PostgreSQL, Redis, SSH, CUPS, and Tailscale with systemd.
Fonts	Prefer distro packages; use user font installs for missing Nerd Fonts.
Language tools	Use upstream installers where distro versions lag too far.
Secrets	There is no /run/secrets unless you recreate that pattern yourself.
NixOS aliases	Do not copy aliases that call nixos-rebuild.

Recommended Path #

1. Start from the distro’s GNOME edition or another well-supported desktop.
2. Install baseline CLI tools, editors, fonts, and development services.
3. Enable Docker, PostgreSQL, Redis, SSH, printing, and Tailscale.
4. Copy only app configs you actually use.
5. Extract SSH keys with SOPS if this machine should use repo-managed keys.
6. Add Nix or Home Manager later only if native packages become too divergent.

Package Strategy #

Use native packages for the OS layer: desktop, printing, Bluetooth, networking, Docker, PostgreSQL, Redis, OpenSSH, and Tailscale.

Use language-native installers for fast-moving ecosystems when needed:

Toolchain	Typical source
Rust	rustup
Bun	upstream installer
uv	upstream installer
Node/TypeScript	distro package, pnpm, or project-local tooling
Zed	upstream package
Claude Code	Nix, upstream package, or npm-style install depending on availability
OpenCode	Nix or upstream package

Use Nix outside NixOS only when it clearly reduces drift. This repo does not currently expose a standalone homeConfigurations.<user> output, so Home Manager outside NixOS would need a small extra flake entry.

Secrets And SSH #

NixOS uses SOPS-Nix to mount secrets at /run/secrets. Other distros should use normal user-owned files. The intended portable flow is:

Step	Result
Put the age key at ~/.config/sops/age/keys.txt	SOPS can decrypt locally.
Run ./conf/scripts/keys.sh	Git SSH keys land under ~/.local/share/sops.
Point SSH identities at those files	GitHub, Codeberg, and Tangled work.

See Secrets and SSH for current key names and host aliases.

Sanity Checks #

After setup, confirm the shape rather than exact package parity:

Check	Why
Shell is Zsh	Login environment matches the dotfiles.
Starship loads	Prompt integration works.
Neovim and Zed start	Editors can see expected language tools.
Zellij validates config	Terminal workspace config is compatible.
Docker runs a test container	User is in the Docker group and daemon works.
PostgreSQL accepts a local connection	Local dev database is ready.
Redis returns PONG	Local cache service is ready.
SSH reaches Git hosts	SOPS-extracted keys and aliases are correct.

Expect package substitutions. The goal is the same working environment, not an exact reproduction of NixOS internals.