🌲 Nix Configuration

Multi-system Nix configuration with Everforest Dark theme for macOS (M2), NixOS (Intel laptop), and Artix Linux (OpenRC).

📋 Quick Links

• Systems - What's configured
• Quick Start - Get running fast
• Features - What's included
• Installation - Detailed setup
• Usage - Daily operations

💻 Systems

System	Architecture	WM/DE	Init	Status
MacBook M2	aarch64-darwin	yabai + SketchyBar	launchd	✅ Active
HP ProBook 450 G8	x86_64-linux	Niri + Waybar	systemd	✅ Active
HP ProBook 450 G8	x86_64-linux	Niri + Waybar	OpenRC (Artix)	✅ Active

Shared Features:

• 🎨 Everforest Dark Medium theme
• 🐚 Zsh + Starship
• 📝 Kitty terminal
• 🔧 Dev tools: Python, Node.js, Go, Rust

🚀 Quick Start

First-Time Setup

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

# Run interactive setup
./scripts/setup.sh

The setup script will:

1. Detect your OS
2. Prompt for your details (username, email)
3. Configure everything automatically
4. Show you the next steps

Manual Setup

Artix Linux (OpenRC):

bash hosts/artix/install.sh

macOS:

cd hosts/darwin
./replace.sh youruser yourgithubuser your@email.com
cd ../..
nix flake update
sudo darwin-rebuild switch --flake .#macbook

NixOS:

# Copy hardware config
sudo cp /etc/nixos/hardware-configuration.nix ./hosts/nixos/

# Replace placeholders (optional - or use setup.sh)
cd hosts/nixos
./replace.sh youruser yourgithubuser your@email.com
cd ../..

# Remove existing /etc/nixos and create symlink
sudo rm -rf /etc/nixos
sudo ln -s ~/.config/nix-config /etc/nixos

# Update and build
cd /etc/nixos
sudo nix flake update
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#laptop

✨ Features

macOS (yabai + SketchyBar)

• Window Manager: yabai with Everforest borders
• Status Bar: Custom SketchyBar with enhanced transparency and modern design
  • Printing: Integrated CUPS support with printer status indicator
  • iCloud: Live iCloud Drive sync status monitoring
  • System monitors: CPU, Battery, Volume, Calendar
  • Transparent background with subtle shadows for depth
• Package Manager: Nix + Homebrew for GUI apps

Artix Linux / OpenRC (Niri + Waybar)

• Init system: OpenRC — no systemd
• Compositor: Niri scrollable tiling Wayland compositor
• Session management: elogind + seatd (logind-compatible, no systemd dependency)
• Status Bar: Waybar with Everforest theme
• Login: SDDM with Chili theme
• Audio: PipeWire + WirePlumber
• Power: TLP + thermald (configured for HP ProBook 450 G8 / Intel)
• Extras: Dunst, rofi-wayland, swaybg, screenshot tools
• User env: Fully managed by Home Manager (standalone, via Nix)

NixOS (Niri + Waybar)

• Compositor: Niri scrollable tiling Wayland compositor
• Status Bar: Enhanced Waybar with full transparency and modern design
  • Printing: CUPS support with printer status indicator and multi-driver support
  • Cloud Sync: Nextcloud/DavMail integration with live sync status
  • System monitors: CPU, Memory, Battery, Network, Volume
  • Transparent background with shadows and rounded corners
  • iCloud calendar/contacts sync via DavMail or GNOME Online Accounts
• Login: SDDM with Chili theme
• Power: TLP optimized
• Extras: Dunst, rofi, screenshot tools

Development Environment

Languages:  Python 3.12, Node.js 22, Go, Rust
CLI Tools:  bat, eza, fzf, ripgrep, zoxide
Git:        gh, lazygit
Editors:    VSCodium, Neovim (via packages)

📥 Installation

Prerequisites

Both Systems:

• Nix package manager (install)
• Git

macOS Only:

• nix-darwin (install)
• Command Line Tools: xcode-select --install

Artix Only:

• Fresh Artix Linux installation (basestrap with OpenRC)
• User account with sudo/wheel access

NixOS Only:

• Fresh NixOS installation

Step-by-Step

Artix Linux (OpenRC) Installation

Pre-requisites

1. Install Artix from the OpenRC ISO using the standard basestrap + fstabgen + artix-chroot flow.
2. After rebooting into the new system, log in as your user (default: tundra).
3. Make sure the user is in the wheel group and sudo is installed.

One-command setup

# Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/tundra-node/nix-config ~/.config/nix-config

# Run the Artix setup script (installs pacman packages, OpenRC services,
# Nix, Home Manager, and applies the full configuration)
bash ~/.config/nix-config/hosts/artix/install.sh

The script will:

1. Update the system and install all pacman packages
2. Install the yay AUR helper and AUR packages
3. Add your user to the required groups (seat, video, input, docker, …)
4. Enable all OpenRC services (NetworkManager, sddm, bluetooth, tlp, cups, docker, …)
5. Configure SDDM with the Chili theme
6. Write /etc/tlp.conf (tuned for HP ProBook 450 G8 + Intel GPU)
7. Download and install the Nix daemon (multi-user, you confirm before it runs)
8. Enable Nix flakes
9. Install Home Manager
10. Apply homeConfigurations.artix — writing all dotfiles, niri config, waybar, etc.

After the script finishes

# Enroll YubiKey (optional)
mkdir -p ~/.config/Yubico
pamu2fcfg > ~/.config/Yubico/u2f_keys

# Copy your wallpaper
cp /path/to/wallpaper.jpg ~/.config/nix-config/wallpapers/wallpaper.jpg

# Reboot into SDDM / niri
sudo reboot

At the SDDM login screen, select Niri as the session.

Updating the config later

hms   # home-manager switch --flake ~/.config/nix-config#artix
hmu   # nix flake update + home-manager switch (alias in shell)

Architecture overview

Layer	Managed by	Examples
Init system	OpenRC	NetworkManager, sddm, docker, tlp
Compositor	pacman niri	provides SDDM session file
Audio	pacman pipewire + wireplumber	PipeWire daemon
Niri config	Home Manager programs.niri.settings	~/.config/niri/config.kdl
Waybar / rofi / dunst	Home Manager (from Nix)	~/.config/waybar/ etc.
CLI tools & dev env	Home Manager (from Nix)	zsh, git, bat, eza, Go, Rust …
GUI apps	Home Manager (from Nix)	librewolf, vscodium, obsidian …

Note on OpenGL apps via Nix: GPU-accelerated apps installed through Nix (e.g. kitty) may fail with an OpenGL error on non-NixOS because the Nix store does not include the host GPU driver. If this happens, wrap the binary with nixGL or install that app via pacman/AUR instead.

macOS Installation

1. Clone repo:

   git clone https://github.com/tundra-node/nix-config ~/.config/nix-config
   cd ~/.config/nix-config

2. Run setup:

   ./scripts/setup.sh

3. For yabai (optional):

   • Disable SIP in Recovery Mode
   • Reboot holding Cmd+R (Intel) or Power button (M1/M2)
   • Terminal → csrutil disable
   • Reboot normally

4. Post-install:

   brew services restart sketchybar
   brew services restart yabai

NixOS Installation

1. Clone repo:

   git clone https://github.com/tundra-node/nix-config ~/.config/nix-config
   cd ~/.config/nix-config

2. Copy hardware config:

   sudo cp /etc/nixos/hardware-configuration.nix ./hosts/nixos/

3. Run setup (recommended):

   ./scripts/setup.sh

   Or manual setup:

   # Replace placeholders in config files
   cd hosts/nixos
   ./replace.sh youruser yourgithubuser your@email.com
   cd ../..

4. Create symlink to config:

   # Remove default /etc/nixos directory
   sudo rm -rf /etc/nixos
   
   # Create symlink (no trailing slash!)
   sudo ln -s ~/.config/nix-config /etc/nixos
   
   # Verify it worked
   ls -la /etc/nixos
   # Should show: /etc/nixos -> /home/youruser/.config/nix-config

5. Update timezone in hosts/nixos/configuration.nix:

   time.timeZone = "Your/Timezone";  # e.g., "America/New_York"

6. Build and reboot:

   cd /etc/nixos
   sudo nix flake update
   sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#laptop
   sudo reboot

7. First login:

   • Select "Niri" session at SDDM
   • Super + G → Terminal (physical T key on Colemak)
   • Super + Space → App launcher

📚 Usage

Helper Scripts

All scripts are in scripts/:

# Rebuild system
./scripts/rebuild.sh

# Update flake and rebuild
./scripts/rebuild.sh --update

# Test without committing (NixOS)
./scripts/rebuild.sh --test

# Change wallpaper
./scripts/wallpaper.sh /path/to/wallpaper.jpg

# Refresh themes (NixOS)
./scripts/refresh-theme.sh

Common Tasks

Update everything:

./scripts/rebuild.sh --update

Edit configuration:

# macOS
code ~/.config/nix-config/hosts/darwin/

# NixOS
code ~/.config/nix-config/hosts/nixos/

Add a package:

1. Edit home.nix in your system folder
2. Add to home.packages = with pkgs; [ your-package ];
3. Rebuild: ./scripts/rebuild.sh

Keybindings

NixOS (Niri)

Keybindings are colemak-aware — they match the same physical key positions as the original Hyprland config (e.g. the physical T key, which is G in Colemak, opens the terminal).

Key	Action
Super + G	Kitty terminal (physical T key)
Super + B	Brave browser
Super + U	VSCodium (physical I key)
Super + M	Lollypop music player
Super + Return	Thunar file manager
Super + Space	App launcher (rofi)
Super + Q	Close window
Super + Shift + F	Quit niri (physical E key)
Super + T	Toggle floating (physical F key)
Super + Shift + Return	Toggle fullscreen
Super + H / I / E / N	Focus left / right / up / down
Super + Left/Right/Up/Down	Focus left / right / up / down
Super + Shift + H / I	Move column left / right
Super + 1-9	Switch workspace
Super + Shift + 1-9	Move window to workspace

Media keys work out of the box (brightness, volume, play/pause)

Waybar Modules:

• Printer Status 󰐪: Click to open printer manager, shows active print jobs count
• Cloud Sync 󰅟: Shows Nextcloud/DavMail sync status (Synced/Connected/Offline)
• Media 󰐊: Current playing media with play/pause controls
• Network 󰖨: WiFi signal strength or ethernet status
• CPU 󰻠: CPU usage percentage
• Memory 󰍛: RAM usage percentage
• Battery 󰁹: Battery percentage with charging indicator

macOS (yabai)

Standard macOS shortcuts apply. Check modules/darwin/sketchybar/ for custom configs.

Menu Bar Items:

• Printer Status 󰐪: Click to open printer preferences, shows active print jobs
• iCloud Status 󰀂: Monitor iCloud Drive sync status (green=synced, yellow=syncing, cyan=online, red=offline)
• Calendar 􀧞: Current date and time
• Volume 🔊: System volume with live updates
• Battery 🔋: Battery percentage and charging status
• CPU 􀧓: CPU usage percentage

Shell Aliases

ll        # eza -la --icons
cat       # bat (syntax highlighting)
cd x      # z x (smart jumping with zoxide)

g         # git
gs        # git status
gc        # git commit
gp        # git push

🎨 Customization

Change Theme Colors

Edit the Everforest colors in your home.nix:

# Look for color definitions like:
background = "#2d353b";
foreground = "#d3c6aa";
# Change to your preferred colors

Adjust Transparency (NixOS)

In hosts/nixos/home.nix, modify opacity values in the window-rules list:

window-rules = [
  { matches = [ { app-id = "^kitty$"; } ]; opacity = 0.90; }  # More opaque
  { matches = [ { app-id = "^kitty$"; } ]; opacity = 0.75; }  # More transparent
];

Waybar Transparency:

# In the style section, adjust module backgrounds:
background-color: rgba(71, 82, 88, 0.5);  # 0.5 = 50% opacity
# Main bar is fully transparent by default
window#waybar {
  background-color: transparent;
}

Configure Printing (NixOS)

The configuration includes CUPS with multiple printer drivers:

• Printer status shows in Waybar (click 󰐪 to open manager)
• Add printers via system-config-printer GUI or:

  lpstat -p  # List printers
  lpadmin -p printer_name -E -v device_uri  # Add printer

• Network printer discovery enabled via Avahi/mDNS
• Supported drivers: HP, Epson, Brother, Canon, and generic Gutenprint

Cloud Sync & iCloud Integration (NixOS)

Nextcloud (iCloud Drive alternative):

• Sync status shown in Waybar 󰅟
• Click icon to open Nextcloud client
• Configure via: nextcloud → Settings → Add Account

iCloud Calendar & Contacts Sync:

1. Option 1 - DavMail (recommended):

   davmail  # Start DavMail gateway
   # Configure Thunderbird to connect to localhost:1080 (IMAP)
   # Use your iCloud credentials

2. Option 2 - GNOME Online Accounts:

   • Add iCloud account in Settings → Online Accounts
   • Sync with Evolution or Thunderbird

Status Indicators:

• "Synced" 󰅟: Nextcloud actively syncing
• "Connected" 󰅟: DavMail connected to iCloud
• "Offline" 󰅟: No sync services running

Adjust Menu Bar Transparency (macOS)

In modules/darwin/sketchybar/colors.sh, modify transparency values:

export BAR_COLOR=0x882d353b        # Semi-transparent (88 = ~53% opacity)
export ITEM_BG_COLOR=0xaa475258    # Item background (aa = ~67% opacity)
# Format: 0xAARRGGBB where AA is alpha (00=transparent, ff=opaque)

Configure Printing (macOS)

The configuration includes CUPS printing support:

• Printer status shows in menu bar (click to open preferences)
• Add printers via System Preferences → Printers & Scanners
• Or use command line: lpstat -p to list printers

iCloud Integration (macOS)

iCloud Drive status is monitored automatically:

• Green 󰀂: Synced and up-to-date
• Yellow 󰅟: Currently syncing
• Cyan 󰀂: Online and connected
• Red 󰅤: Offline or not available

Ensure iCloud Drive is enabled in System Preferences → Apple ID → iCloud.

Change Wallpaper

# Quick change
./scripts/wallpaper.sh /path/to/image.jpg

# Or manually
cp image.jpg ~/.config/nix-config/wallpapers/wallpaper.jpg
./scripts/wallpaper.sh --reload

🔧 Troubleshooting

Build fails with "error: No such file or directory"

Make sure you've run git add . - flakes only include tracked files!

git add .
git commit -m "Add configuration"

NixOS: /etc/nixos symlink created inside directory instead of replacing it

This happens if /etc/nixos already exists as a directory. Fix:

# Remove the existing directory
sudo rm -rf /etc/nixos

# Create the symlink correctly (no trailing slash!)
sudo ln -s ~/.config/nix-config /etc/nixos

# Verify
ls -la /etc/nixos
# Should show: /etc/nixos -> /home/youruser/.config/nix-config

NixOS: Cursor/GTK theme not applying

./scripts/refresh-theme.sh
# Log out and back in

NixOS: Niri won't start

1. Switch to TTY: Ctrl + Alt + F2
2. Check logs: journalctl -u display-manager.service
3. Try manual start: niri

macOS: yabai not tiling windows

Check SIP status: csrutil status

Should say "disabled". If not, disable in Recovery Mode.

Artix: niri session not appearing in SDDM

SDDM reads Wayland sessions from /usr/share/wayland-sessions/. The niri pacman package installs niri.desktop there automatically. If it's missing:

sudo pacman -S niri        # reinstall
ls /usr/share/wayland-sessions/   # should show niri.desktop

Artix: Wayland/niri won't start (seat permission error)

Make sure elogind and seatd are running and your user is in the seat group:

sudo rc-service elogind start
sudo rc-service seatd start
sudo usermod -aG seat $USER
# Log out and back in, then try niri again

Artix: kitty (or other GPU app) fails with OpenGL error

Nix-installed apps that use GPU acceleration need the host's GPU driver, which Nix doesn't bundle. Use nixGL as a wrapper, or install the affected app via pacman/AUR:

sudo pacman -S kitty   # system kitty picks up host libGL

Home Manager's programs.kitty will still write the theme config — only the binary comes from pacman instead of Nix.

🔄 OpenRC — Why NixOS Can't Use It (Artix Is Now Configured)

NixOS is architecturally inseparable from systemd. The module system generates systemd units at build time. There is no supported path to swap in OpenRC.

This repository now includes a full Artix Linux (OpenRC) configuration. See hosts/artix/ and the Artix Installation section above.

Distro	Init	This repo	Managed by
NixOS	systemd	nixosConfigurations.laptop	Full NixOS modules
Artix	OpenRC	homeConfigurations.artix	Home Manager (standalone)
macOS	launchd	darwinConfigurations.macbook	nix-darwin + HM

🤝 Contributing

This is a personal configuration, but feel free to:

• Fork for your own use
• Open issues for bugs
• Submit PRs for improvements

📄 License

MIT License - Use freely!

🙏 Acknowledgments

• NixOS & nix-darwin
• home-manager
• Everforest theme
• Niri & yabai

---

Version Info:

• nixpkgs: 25.05
• home-manager: release-25.05
• nix-darwin: nix-darwin-25.05