NixOS/Home Manager Configuration

Initialize nix

On a NixOS system, this is already done. Otherwise, install nix by itelf using the multi-user installation.

Initialize user space for configuration

• ssh-keygen and add key to GitHub profile
• nix-shell -p git home-manager neovim
• git clone git@github.com:carschandler/nixos.git

Creating a user

This step shouldn't be necessary on a NixOS system, but can be done if desired. It might be required on other distributions if they don't take care of this step during setup/install.

• Create a new user and add to the appropriate groups using whatever process the distribution recommends

Applying configuration

Home Manager

home-manager --extra-experimental-features "nix-command flakes" switch --flake ~/nixos#chan@<hostname>

NixOS

nixos-rebuild --extra-experimental-features "nix-command flakes" switch --flake ~/nixos#chan@<hostname>

Adding a new configuration

• Make new entries in flake.nix for nixosConfigurations and homeConfigurations
• Add configuration to system directory as appropriate (named_subdirectory/default.nix)
  • Don't forget networking.hostName so that the system will be renamed properly
  • If using WSL, use NixOS-WSL and its options
  • Ensure that new files have been added in git or the flake will not pick them up

Troubleshooting

• If no dotfiles are being loaded (i.e. neovim), ~/.config may need to be created manually