NixOS Dotfiles

A comprehensive repository of configuration files (dotfiles) for a NixOS system. Contains the complete system configuration, including package management, hardware settings, and user environment configuration via Home Manager.

📁 Repository Structure

nixos/
├── configuration.nix          # Main NixOS system configuration file
├── hardware-configuration.nix # Hardware configuration (auto-generated)
├── flake.nix                  # Flake configuration for reproducible builds
├── flake.lock                 # Lock file for Flake inputs versions
├── pkgs.nix                   # Package list and declarations
├── WM-DE.nix                  # Window manager/Desktop environment configuration
├── nvidia.nix                 # NVIDIA GPU configuration
├── servicesD.nix              # System services configuration
└── home/                      # Home Manager user configuration
    └── home.nix               # Main home-manager configuration file

🤔 What are Dotfiles for NixOS?

Dotfiles are configuration files for your operating system and applications (often starting with a dot in UNIX systems). In the context of NixOS, they are Nix language files that describe:

• System configuration — which packages are installed, which services are running
• Hardware parameters — disk partitions, graphics card, other hardware specs
• User environment — configured via Home Manager for per-user setup
• Dependency versions — managed through Flakes for full reproducibility

NixOS dotfiles are declarative: you describe the desired state of your system, and NixOS makes it so.

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• NixOS installed (version 24.05 or newer)
• Flakes support enabled (usually enabled by default)

Installation

1. Clone the repository to your system:

sudo git clone https://github.com/IsNotAcceptable/nixos-dot /etc/nixos/
cd /etc/nixos/

2. Important: The home/ folder must stay in the root of the repository alongside all other files. Do not move it!

3. Customize the configuration for your system:

   • Edit configuration.nix — change hostname, users, and general settings
   • Update hardware-configuration.nix if needed for your hardware
   • Modify WM-DE.nix for your preferred window manager/desktop environment
   • Adjust pkgs.nix to match your software needs
   • Update home/home.nix for user-specific settings

4. Apply the configuration:

sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#empty

📋 File Descriptions

configuration.nix

The main system configuration file. Includes:

• Module imports for other configuration files
• Networking settings (hostname, DNS, NetworkManager)
• Bluetooth and driver configuration
• User accounts and group membership
• Security settings (doas instead of sudo)
• System state version for migrations

hardware-configuration.nix

Auto-generated during NixOS installation. Contains:

• Bootloader configuration (GRUB)
• Filesystems and mount points
• Hardware detection and kernel modules

⚠️ Do not edit manually — regenerate via nixos-generate-config if needed

flake.nix

Defines the Flake inputs and outputs for reproducible builds:

• Inputs: nixpkgs versions, home-manager, nixvim, and other dependencies
• Outputs: NixOS configuration for the empty host
• Multi-channel nixpkgs support (unstable, stable)

pkgs.nix

System packages configuration. Lists:

• Core utilities and libraries
• Development tools and IDEs
• Multimedia applications
• Custom packages and overlays

WM-DE.nix

Desktop environment and window manager configuration:

• Selection and configuration of WM/DE (Hyprland, i3, GNOME, etc.)
• Display server setup (Wayland/X11)
• Theme and appearance settings
• User interface utilities

nvidia.nix

NVIDIA GPU-specific configuration:

• Driver installation and setup
• GPU output parameters
• CUDA toolkit (if needed)

servicesD.nix

System services and daemons:

• Background service configuration
• System-wide processes
• Service auto-start settings

home/ (Home Manager)

User-specific environment configuration:

• home/home.nix — main configuration file for user vibeman
• Dotfile management (copies/links user config files)
• Shell configuration (zsh, bash, fish)
• Per-application settings

🔧 Common Operations

Update configuration

cd /etc/nixos
git pull
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#empty

Clean up old generations

sudo nix-collect-garbage --delete-older-than 30d

Dry run before applying changes

sudo nixos-rebuild dry-run --flake .#empty

Rollback to previous generation

sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#empty --rollback

List all system generations

nix-env --list-generations -p /nix/var/nix/profiles/system

💾 System Specifications

• CPU: Intel Core i7-4790
• RAM: 32 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
• Storage:
  • HDD 232.9 GB (system root, /home, swap)
  • SSD 894.3 GB (secondary storage)

📚 Useful Resources

• NixOS Manual
• Nixpkgs Search
• Home Manager Manual
• NixOS Wiki
• Nix Language Guide

⚠️ Important Notes

1. Configuration files are in the repository root — including the home/ directory. Do not reorganize them into subdirectories!

2. Replace vibeman username — This username appears throughout the configuration. Update it to your username:

   grep -r "vibeman" --include="*.nix" | grep -v flake.lock

3. State Version — The system.stateVersion (24.05) ensures compatibility when migrating between NixOS versions. Do not change it without careful consideration.

4. Flake.lock — Commit this file to git! It locks all dependency versions and ensures reproducibility across machines.

5. Rebuild frequency — You only need to run nixos-rebuild switch when you make changes. Regular updates use nix flake update.

🛠 Customization Guide

Adding a new package

Edit pkgs.nix and add to environment.systemPackages:

environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
  vim
  git
  # Add new packages here
];

Changing the window manager

Edit WM-DE.nix and uncomment/select your preferred WM:

# Example: Enable Hyprland
wayland.windowManager.hyprland.enable = true;

Adding user-specific applications

Edit home/home.nix and configure under home.packages:

home.packages = with pkgs; [
  firefox
  vscode
  # Add user packages here
];