Agent Skills: Nix System Config

Nix System Config

Multi-platform Nix flake managing macOS, NixOS, and Home Manager configurations.

Hosts

| Host | Platform | Apply Command | |----------------|-----------------|---------------| | m4-mbp | macOS (darwin) | mise update-system | | macos-virtual | macOS (darwin) | darwin-rebuild switch --impure --flake . | | drummer | NixOS | sudo nixos-rebuild switch --impure --flake .# | | xcel | Debian (HM) | home-manager switch -b backup --flake .#"john.allen@xcel" --impure | | pi-01 | Debian/Pi (HM) | home-manager switch -b backup --flake .#"john.allen@pi-01" |

Commands

# Build without applying
nix build .#darwinConfigurations.m4-mbp.system
nix build .#homeConfigurations."john.allen@pi-01"

# Apply (macOS - repo-local mise task)
mise update-system                         # updates flake first
mise update-system --switch-only           # skip flake update
mise update-system --switch-only --pi-refresh  # also refresh managed Pi packages

# Test single option
nix eval .#darwinConfigurations.m4-mbp.config.services.sketchybar.enable

# Update inputs
nix flake update --commit-lock-file

# Lint
nix flake check

Directory Structure

hosts/           # Per-host configs (kebab-case names)
lib/             # Helper functions (make-*-system.nix)
modules/
  common/        # Shared across platforms
  darwin/        # macOS-specific (agents, homebrew, system)
  home-manager/  # User programs/dotfiles
  nixos/         # NixOS-specific

Code Style

• 2-space indentation, no tabs
• Trailing commas consistently
• Use flake inputs (nixpkgs, home-manager); avoid import <nixpkgs>
• Attr ordering: imports first, then logical groups (services, programs, environment)
• Host names: kebab-case; variables: snake_case
• Prefer mkIf for conditions; avoid nested if chains
• Minimize assert; use lib.warn/lib.trace for diagnostics
• Match option schemas; explicit lists; no string concat for paths
• Never commit secrets; use keychain or environment variables

Adding a Package

Home Manager program (user-level):

# modules/home-manager/default.nix or relevant submodule
programs.<name>.enable = true;
# or
home.packages = with pkgs; [ package-name ];

Darwin system package:

# modules/darwin/environment/default.nix
environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [ package-name ];

Homebrew (macOS GUI apps):

# modules/darwin/homebrew/default.nix
homebrew.casks = [ "app-name" ];
homebrew.brews = [ "formula-name" ];

Creating a Module

1. Create modules/<platform>/<name>/default.nix
2. Add to imports in parent default.nix
3. Use mkIf for conditional logic:

{ config, lib, pkgs, ... }:
{
  options.my.feature.enable = lib.mkEnableOption "my feature";
  
  config = lib.mkIf config.my.feature.enable {
    # configuration here
  };
}

Policy

Never create git commits unless explicitly requested.