nix-config

A flake-first configuration for one Apple Silicon Mac, built with flake-parts, nix-darwin, and Home Manager on nixpkgs unstable.

The repository treats macOS, Homebrew, command-line tools, and dotfiles as one declarative system. Language toolchains stay in project-specific development shells instead of the global workstation profile.

What it manages

• Determinate Nix through its nix-darwin module, with the nix-community binary cache enabled.
• Homebrew itself through nix-homebrew and Homebrew packages through nix-darwin.
• Fish, Git, GnuPG, Helix, direnv, nh, and other user tools through Home Manager.
• A selective Catppuccin Macchiato theme for supported terminal applications.
• Formatting, linting, evaluation, and system builds through the flake development shell and GitHub Actions.

Homebrew is limited to the container and mole formulae plus these casks: ChatGPT, Ghostty, IINA, Keka, OnyX, SFM, and Visual Studio Code. The Apple container service starts automatically.

Requirements

• An Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 26.
• Administrator access for the initial system activation.
• Determinate Nix.

Install

Clone the repository into any directory:

git clone https://github.com/romeoahmed/nix-config.git
cd nix-config

Before applying it to another account, review:

• hosts/workstation.nix for the macOS account name.
• modules/home/workstation.nix for the Git identity, OpenPGP signing fingerprint, and GPG agent SSH keygrip.
• modules/darwin/homebrew.nix for the applications that will be installed.

Remove an existing unmanaged Homebrew installation before the first activation. Automatic migration is deliberately disabled.

Caution

Homebrew activation uses cleanup = "zap". Undeclared formulae, casks, and files associated with removed casks may be deleted.

Install nix-darwin and activate the workstation configuration from the repository root:

sudo nix run nix-darwin/master#darwin-rebuild -- \
  switch --flake .#workstation

Use

Apply later changes with nh:

nh darwin switch . -H workstation

Enter the repository development shell to access its maintenance tools:

nix develop
just --list

Command	Purpose
just fmt	Format Nix files
just hooks	Run all formatting and static-analysis hooks
just check	Run every flake check
just eval	Evaluate the Darwin system derivation
just build	Build the system without activating it
just switch	Build and activate the system with nh

Structure

Path	Purpose
flake.nix	Inputs, supported platform, and output composition
hosts/workstation.nix	Account binding and host assembly
modules/darwin/	Machine, Nix, and Homebrew policy
modules/home/	User packages, programs, and dotfiles
modules/flake/	Formatter, checks, and development shell
.github/	Continuous integration and dependency updates

License

MIT © 2026 Romeo Ahmed