To set up a fresh machine, create an installation image on a system running nix and copy it to a USB stick:
system/build-image
> /nix/store/.../nixos-iso
sudo dd if=/nix/store/.../nixos-iso/iso/nixos.iso of=/dev/sdX
Boot from USB, format an installation partition [1] /dev/sdXn and run
mount /dev/sdXn /mnt
nix-shell -p git --run "git clone https://github.com/fricklerhandwerk/.config"
system/install <machine>
After rebooting a user logging in should have its home-manager configuration active as specified in the home-config option.
[1]: Gentoo has a very extensive manual to partitioning and formatting. I prefer their GPT partition layout over that from the NixOS manual as it allows easy switching of configurations both bootable on BIOS and UEFI systems.
so far served as the main reference on how to use nixos and home-manager: https://github.com/dustinlacewell/dotfiles
also with interesting thoughts on git commit messages: https://github.com/yrashk/nix-config https://github.com/yrashk/nix-home
ideas on a mouse-free life and general computer interface minimalism: https://github.com/noctuid/dotfiles
arguments against minimalism: http://xahlee.info/linux/why_tiling_window_manager_sucks.html
trying to do full hands-off deployment: https://github.com/balsoft/nixos-config
https://elvishjerricco.github.io/2018/06/24/secure-declarative-key-management.html https://www.reddit.com/r/NixOS/comments/9aa08b/whats_your_configurationnix_like/e4xuwak/
installer image for encrypted partition: https://github.com/techhazard/nixos-iso