nixos-config/README.md

NixOS configuration

The default package set is NixOS 26.05. Home Manager and AAGL use their matching 26.05 release branches. drivebystation-nix uses the standard pkgs.linuxPackages kernel from stable, including matching external modules.

Packages from unstable

inputs.nixpkgs-unstable is a separate package set, pinned in flake.lock. Select individual applications explicitly, as with Trilium and JetBrains Toolbox in the desktop host:

unstablePkgs.trilium-desktop

The host defines unstablePkgs by importing the separate input with allowUnfree = true. Use pkgs.<name> for stable packages. Unstable applications retain their own dependencies; the system package set stays on stable.

Update the stable inputs and the application exceptions independently:

nix flake update nixpkgs home-manager aagl
nix flake update nixpkgs-unstable

The existing Mutter tearing override remains experimental. Its compatibility and B580 graphics behavior require testing when changing the desktop stack.

Validate and boot

nix build .#nixosConfigurations.drivebystation-nix.config.system.build.toplevel --no-link
sudo nixos-rebuild boot --flake .#drivebystation-nix

Only run the boot command after the build succeeds. Keep the previous working generation available in the boot menu, then test networking, graphics, and the webcam loopback after reboot. Git restores configuration sources; booting the previous generation restores the previous system closure.

Whole-flake checks currently also evaluate an unfinished WSL host referencing the disabled nixos-wsl input. Validate the desktop target directly until that separate host configuration is repaired.

Migration validation (2026-10-17)

The complete drivebystation-nix system built successfully without activation. Its closure contains Linux 6.18.56, patched Mutter 50.5, GNOME Shell 50.5, libdrm 2.4.133, r8125 9.016.01, and v4l2loopback 0.15.3. The explicit unstable applications are Trilium 0.106.0 and JetBrains Toolbox 3.8.1.88030.

Nix syntax and Git whitespace checks pass. nix flake check --no-build stops at the existing WSL input error described above. The edited Nix files retain the repository's existing formatting; nixpkgs-fmt --check reports formatting differences, including on the original flake before migration.

Boot, networking, B580 graphics, and tearing behavior still require runtime testing. The migration does not add Intel tearing kernel patches.