.. title: Nix Package Manager Cookbook
.. slug: nix-package-manager-cookbook
.. date: 2015-02-11 00:15:45 UTC
.. tags: linux, nix, ubuntu
.. category:
.. link:
.. description:
.. type: text

Nix Package Manager Cookbook
===================================================

This is a cookbook containing a list of commands to perform frequent tasks in `Nix <https://nixos.org/nix/>`_. Read the `Nix Package Manager Guide <https://nixos.org/nix/manual/>`_ for detailed information.

.. TEASER_END: Read more

Install Nix.

::

    user@host:~/Downloads$ curl -o install-nix.sh https://nixos.org/nix/install
    user@host:~/Downloads$ sh install-nix.sh

You'll need to have sudo access for the script to create the /nix directory.

The installer adds the relevant paths to your .profile. To activate them

::

    user@host:~$ . /home/YOURUSERNAME/.nix-profile/etc/profile.d/nix.sh

Add to .bashrc if not already present in .profile. I just prefer to add it to .bashrc; your preference may vary.

::

    if [ -e /home/YOURUSERNAME/.nix-profile/etc/profile.d/nix.sh ]; then . /home/YOURUSERNAME/.nix-profile/etc/profile.d/nix.sh; fi # added by Nix installer

Search for available packages.

::

    user@host:~$ nix-env --query --available --status --description go
    user@host:~$ nix-env --query --available --status --description python
    user@host:~$ nix-env --query --available --status --description python3
    user@host:~$ nix-env --query --available --status --description '.*virtualenv.*'

List installed packages.

::

    user@host:~$ nix-env --query --installed

Update Nix and then update all installed packages.

::

    user@host:~$ nix-channel --update
    user@host:~$ nix-env -u '*'

Work with channels. Since I prefer bleeding edge packages I use the *nixpkgs-unstable* channel.

::

    user@host:~$ nix-channel --list
    user@host:~$ nix-channel --add https://nixos.org/channels/nixpkgs-unstable
    user@host:~$ nix-channel --remove nixpkgs

Install packages (derivatives).

::

    user@host:~$ nix-env -i pycharm-community-4.0.1

Uninstall package (derivative).

::

    user@host:~$ nix-env -e pycharm-community-4.0.1