README.md: cleanup and clarify

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Timothy DeHerrera 2020-01-11 19:51:23 -07:00
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@ -3,73 +3,88 @@ A NixOS configuration template using the experimental [flakes][rfc] mechanism.
Its aim is to provide a generic repository which neatly separates concerns
and allows one to get up and running with NixOS faster than ever.
Please be advised, flakes are still an experimental feature.
A core goal is to facilitate a (mostly) seamless transition to flakes.
You could start by simply importing your `configuration.nix` from a module
in [hosts](hosts). There may be some translation if you import anything
from the `NIX_PATH`, e.g. `import <nixpkgs> {}`, but the majority of any valid
NixOS config should work right out of the box. Once your up and running, you
may wish to modify your configuration to adhere to the [ideals](DOC.md) of this
project.
### ⚠ Advisory
Flakes are still an experimental feature.
Presuming they get [merged][rfc], even more will become possible, e.g.
[nixops](https://nixos.org/nixops)/[disnix](https://nixos.org/disnix)
support.
#### Flake Talk:
Also, flakes are meant to deprecate nix-channels. I'd recommend not
installing any. If your really want them, they should work if you hook them
into your `NIX_PATH` manually.
## Flake Talk:
[![Flake talk at NixConf][thumb]][video]
Keep in mind that flakes are meant to deprecate nix-channels. I'd recommend not
installing any. If your really want them, they should work if you wire them
up with your `NIX_PATH`.
# Setup
```sh
# not needed if using direnv
# This is not needed if your using direnv:
nix-shell
# It's recommend to start a new branch:
git checkout -b $new_branch template
# set a root password, preferably with `hashedPassword`
$EDITOR ./users/root/default.nix
# generate hardware config
# Generate a hardware config:
nixos-generate-config --show-hardware-config > ./hosts/${new_host}.nix
# Edit the new file, removing `not-detected.nix` from the imports.
# In order to maintain purity flakes cannot resolve from the NIX_PATH.
# You may also want to import ./hosts/NixOS.nix from here which sets up
# an efi bootloader, enables Network Manager and sets an empty root password.
# Otherwise you'll need to set the bootloader, network and password yourself.
# Also ensure your file systems are set the way you want. And import
# any ./profiles you may wish to try out.
# You could import your existing `configuration.nix`, or the generic
# `./hosts/NixOS.nix` from here. The latter sets up Network Manger,
# an efi bootloader, an empty root password, and a generic user
# named `nixos`.
# Also ensure your file systems are set the way you want:
$EDITOR ./hosts/${new_host}.nix
# backup existing config and ensure configuration lives in expected location
# Backup your existing config:
mv /etc/nixos /etc/nixos.old
# Ensure this flake can be found in its expected location:
ln -s $PWD /etc/nixos
# a flake is vcs based, so only git aware files are bundled
# adding a new file to staging is enough
# A flake is vcs based, so only git aware files are bundled
# adding a new file to staging is enough:
git add ./hosts/${new_host}.nix
# `rebuild` wrapper for `nix build` bypassing `nixos-rebuild`
# A generic `rebuild` wrapper for `nix build` is provided
# bypassing the need for `nixos-rebuild`.
# Usage: rebuild [host] {switch|boot|test|dry-activate}
# where `host` is any file living in the `./hosts` directory
# You can specify any of the host configurations living in the ./hosts
# directory. If omitted, it will default to your systems current hostname.
# This will be run as root.
rebuild $new_host switch
# Test your new deployment; this will be run as root:
rebuild $new_host test
# you may wish to start by creating a user
# You may wish to start by creating a user:
mkdir users/new-user && $EDITOR users/new-user/default.nix
# Once your satisfied, permanently deploy with:
rebuild $new_host switch
```
Best to read the [doc](DOC.md), in order to understand the impetus behind
the directory structure.
Please read the [doc](DOC.md) in order to understand the impetus
behind the directory structure.
## Additional Capabilities
```sh
# make an iso image based on ./hosts/niximg.nix
# Make an iso image based on `./hosts/niximg.nix`:
rebuild iso
# install any package the flake exports
# Install any package the flake exports:
nix profile install ".#packages.x86_64-linux.myPackage"
```