117 lines
3 KiB
Markdown
Executable file
117 lines
3 KiB
Markdown
Executable file
# Hybrid Package Management: Stable + Unstable
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This NixOS configuration uses a hybrid approach where the system runs on the stable NixOS 24.05 branch but can selectively use packages from the unstable branch when needed.
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## How It Works
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The `flake.nix` includes both stable and unstable nixpkgs inputs:
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```nix
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inputs = {
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nixpkgs.url = "nixpkgs/nixos-24.05"; # Stable base
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nixpkgs-unstable.url = "nixpkgs/nixos-unstable"; # Unstable packages
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# ... other inputs
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};
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```
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The unstable packages are made available to all system configurations via `specialArgs`:
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```nix
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nixosConfigurations = {
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framework = nixpkgs.lib.nixosSystem {
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system = "x86_64-linux";
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specialArgs = {
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pkgs-unstable = import nixpkgs-unstable {
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system = "x86_64-linux";
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config.allowUnfree = true;
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};
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};
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modules = [ /* ... */ ];
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};
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};
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```
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## Using Unstable Packages
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### In System Configuration Files
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To use an unstable package in any `.nix` configuration file:
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1. **Add `pkgs-unstable` to the function parameters:**
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```nix
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{ config, pkgs, pkgs-unstable, ... }:
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```
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2. **Use the unstable package:**
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```nix
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environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
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# Stable packages
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firefox
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git
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# Unstable packages
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pkgs-unstable.windsurf
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pkgs-unstable.some-other-package
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];
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```
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### Example: Current Usage
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See `desktop/dev.nix` for a working example:
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```nix
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{ config, pkgs, pkgs-unstable, ... }:
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{
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environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
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# Stable packages
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nodejs
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rpi-imager
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# Unstable packages
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pkgs-unstable.windsurf # Use windsurf from unstable
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];
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}
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```
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## When to Use Unstable Packages
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Use unstable packages when:
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- A package is not available in the stable branch
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- You need a newer version with specific features or bug fixes
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- You're developing with cutting-edge tools
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## Benefits of This Approach
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1. **System Stability**: Core system components use stable, well-tested packages
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2. **Package Availability**: Access to the latest packages when needed
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3. **Selective Updates**: Choose which packages to get from unstable
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4. **Easy Maintenance**: Clear separation between stable and unstable dependencies
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## Adding New Unstable Packages
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To add a new unstable package:
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1. Find the configuration file where you want to add the package
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2. Ensure the file accepts `pkgs-unstable` parameter
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3. Add `pkgs-unstable.package-name` to the appropriate list
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4. Test with `nixos-rebuild dry-run --flake .#framework`
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5. Apply with `nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#framework`
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## Updating Packages
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- **Stable packages**: Updated when you update the flake lock
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- **Unstable packages**: Updated when you run `nix flake update`
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To update only unstable packages:
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```bash
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nix flake lock --update-input nixpkgs-unstable
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```
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## Current Unstable Packages in Use
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- `windsurf` - Modern code editor (in `desktop/dev.nix`)
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---
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This hybrid approach gives you the stability of NixOS stable with the flexibility to use cutting-edge packages when needed.
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