nix

Personal macOS config managed with nix-darwin, home-manager, and just.

Layout

flake.nix                  # top-level: inputs + darwinConfigurations
justfile                   # sync / pull / update recipes

darwin/
└── common.nix             # system-level: brew, macOS defaults

home/
├── common.nix             # imports everything below
├── packages.nix           # CLI + GUI apps from nixpkgs
├── theme.nix              # shared theme name across tools
├── dotfiles.nix           # symlink/render table for config files
└── hosts/
    └── vladimirs-macbook-pro.nix   # per-host overrides

config/                    # raw dotfile sources (helix, alacritty, etc.)
bin/                       # user scripts
zshrc                      # → ~/.zshrc

Workflows

just              # list recipes
just sync         # commit + push, then darwin-rebuild switch
just sync "msg"   # same, with commit message
just pull         # git pull, then activate
just update       # nix flake update, then activate

Where to put what

Want to...	Edit	Then
Tweak a tool's config (helix, zellij, etc.)	config/<tool>/... directly	just sync (or instant for live-edit files)
Change theme across apps	home/theme.nix	just sync
Add a CLI tool or GUI app from nixpkgs	home/packages.nix	just sync
Add a brew cask (proprietary, macOS-only quirks)	darwin/common.nix → homebrew.casks	just sync
Add a brew formula	darwin/common.nix → homebrew.brews	just sync
Change a macOS system default (Dock, keyboard, etc.)	darwin/common.nix → system.defaults.*	just sync
Add a new dotfile to symlink	home/dotfiles.nix + drop file in config/	just sync

Rule of thumb:

• In nixpkgs and works → home/packages.nix.
• Proprietary / macOS app with system quirks → brew cask in darwin/common.nix.

New machine

# 1. Install Determinate Nix
curl -fsSL https://install.determinate.systems/nix | sh -s -- install

# 2. Clone the repo
git clone git@github.com:NeoPrimate/nix.git ~/nix
cd ~/nix

# 3. Add a host file matching this machine's hostname:
#    home/hosts/<hostname>.nix
#    Add it to flake.nix under darwinConfigurations.

# 4. First activation (bootstrap)
#    Installs brew, all declared casks/formulae, and applies all dotfiles.
sudo nix run github:LnL7/nix-darwin/nix-darwin-26.05#darwin-rebuild -- \
  switch --flake .#<hostname>

# 5. From here on, use:
just sync

<hostname> comes from hostname -s.