Patrick's Nix Configuration for macOS

A declarative macOS development environment using Nix Flakes, based on dustinlyons/nixos-config but streamlined specifically for Darwin/macOS systems.

Note: This configuration is personalized for user "patrick" and is not intended to be reusable as a template.

Features

• Declarative System Configuration: Everything defined in code using Nix Flakes
• Automated Software Management:
  • Nix packages: CLI tools, development environments, fonts
  • Homebrew: GUI applications and some CLI tools
  • Mac App Store: Apps managed via mas tool
• Dotfile Management: Automated deployment of configuration files (zsh, tmux, neovim, karabiner, etc.)
• Encrypted Secrets: Secure secret management with agenix and YubiKey support
• macOS System Defaults: Automated configuration of system preferences
• Automatic Cleanup: Removes unlisted Homebrew packages to keep system clean

Quick Start

Prerequisites

1. Xcode Command Line Tools: xcode-select --install
2. Nix with Flakes: Install using Determinate Systems installer
3. Enable Flakes: Ensure experimental-features = nix-command flakes is enabled

Installation

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/PatrickLerner/nix-config.git
cd nix-config

# Build and apply the configuration
nix run .#build-switch

Management Commands

Command	Description
nix run .#build	Test build without switching (safe)
nix run .#build-switch	Build and apply configuration (requires sudo)
nix run .#clean	Remove old system generations (7+ days)
nix run .#rollback	Rollback to previous generation (interactive)
nix run .#check-keys	Verify required SSH keys
nix run .#create-keys	Generate SSH keys
nix develop	Enter development shell

Configuration Files

The system configuration is organized across these key files:

• modules/shared/packages.nix - Nix packages (CLI tools, development environments)
• modules/darwin/casks.nix - Homebrew GUI applications
• modules/darwin/home-manager.nix - Homebrew formulas and Mac App Store apps
• modules/shared/home-manager.nix - Shell, git, tmux, and user configuration
• modules/shared/config/ - Application-specific configuration files
• hosts/darwin/default.nix - macOS system settings and defaults

Customization

Adding Software

• Nix packages: Edit modules/shared/packages.nix
• Homebrew casks: Edit modules/darwin/casks.nix
• Homebrew formulas: Edit modules/darwin/home-manager.nix brews array
• Mac App Store: Edit modules/darwin/home-manager.nix masApps

Modifying Configurations

• Shell & Terminal: modules/shared/home-manager.nix
• Application configs: modules/shared/config/
• macOS settings: hosts/darwin/default.nix
• Dock: modules/darwin/dock/

Resources

Package Search

• Homebrew Casks: https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/
• Nix Packages: https://search.nixos.org/packages
• Mac App Store: Use mas search <app name> after installation

Documentation

• Detailed Configuration Guide: See CLAUDE.md
• Original Template: dustinlyons/nixos-config

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

• Build Failures: Try nix run .#clean then rebuild
• Permission Errors: Ensure SSH keys have correct permissions (600)
• Homebrew Conflicts: The system automatically removes unlisted packages
• System Recovery: Use nix run .#rollback to restore previous state

Getting Help

• Check existing issues in the original template repository
• Verify Nix experimental features are enabled
• Ensure Git user.name and user.email are configured before running apply