nix.dev/source/index.md

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html_meta description lang=en keywords property=og:locale Opinionated guides to getting things done in the Nix ecosystem. Nix, Nixpkgs, NixOS, Linux, build systems, deployment, packaging, declarative, reproducible, immutable, software, developer en_GB

Welcome to nix.dev

nix.dev is the home of official documentation for the Nix ecosystem, it contains:

::::{grid} 2 :::{grid-item-card} Tutorials :text-align: center Series of lessons to get started :::

:::{grid-item-card} Recipes :text-align: center Guides to getting things done ::: ::::

::::{grid} 2 :::{grid-item-card} Reference :text-align: center Collections of detailed technical descriptions :::

:::{grid-item-card} Concepts :text-align: center Explanations of history and ideas in the Nix ecosystem ::: ::::

If you're new to the Nix ecosystem, begin your journey with {ref}First Steps <first-steps>!

What can you do with Nix?

The following illustrate of what can be achieved with the Nix ecosystem:

• {ref}Reproducible development environments <ad-hoc-envs>.
• Easy installation of software over URLs.
• Easy transfer of software environments between computers.
• {ref}Declarative specification of Linux machines <deploying-nixos-using-terraform>.
• {ref}Reproducible integration testing using virtual machines <integration-testing-vms>.
• Avoidance of version conflicts with already installed software.
• Installing software from source code.
• {ref}Transparent build caching using binary caches <github-actions>.
• Strong support for software auditability.
• {ref}First-class cross compilation support <cross-compilation>.
• Remote builds.
• Remote deployments.
• Atomic upgrades and rollbacks.

What is the origin of the name "Nix"?

The name Nix is derived from the Dutch word niks, meaning nothing; build actions do not see anything that has not been explicitly declared as an input.

— Nix: A Safe and Policy-Free System for Software Deployment

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:caption: Tutorials
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tutorials/install-nix.md
tutorials/first-steps/index.md
tutorials/nixos/index.md
tutorials/cross-compilation.md

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:caption: Recipes
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recipes/*
templates/*

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:caption: Reference
:maxdepth: 1
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Nix Reference Manual <https://nixos.org/manual/nix/stable/>
Nixpkgs Manual <https://nixos.org/manual/nixpkgs/stable/>
NixOS Manual <https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/>
reference/pinning-nixpkgs.md
reference/glossary.md
recommended-reading.md
influences.md

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:caption: Concepts
:maxdepth: 1
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concepts/*

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:caption: Contributing
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contributing/how-to-contribute.md
contributing/how-to-get-help.md
contributing/documentation.md
contributing/writing-a-tutorial.md
contributing/writing-style.md

:glob:
:caption: Acknowledgments
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acknowledgments/sponsors.md