Andrew's dotfiles

Cross-platform dotfiles supporting both macOS and Linux using Nix flakes, nix-darwin, and home-manager.

Quick Start

macOS

git clone https://github.com/elgertam/dotfiles ~/.dotfiles
cd ~/.dotfiles
chmod u+x *.sh
./reload.sh

Linux

Option 1: NixOS (Full System Configuration)

git clone https://github.com/elgertam/dotfiles ~/.dotfiles
cd ~/.dotfiles
# Edit hosts/linux-desktop.nix for your hardware
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#linux-desktop

Option 2: Home Manager Only (Any Linux Distribution)

# Install Nix first
curl -L https://nixos.org/nix/install | sh
echo "experimental-features = nix-command flakes" >> ~/.config/nix/nix.conf

# Install Home Manager
nix run home-manager/master -- init --switch

# Clone and apply dotfiles
git clone https://github.com/elgertam/dotfiles ~/.dotfiles
home-manager switch --flake ~/.dotfiles#ame

Platform Support

This configuration provides:

macOS (via nix-darwin)

• Package Management: Homebrew casks for GUI apps
• System Settings: macOS defaults (dock, finder, etc.)
• Window Management: Hammerspoon for automation
• Container Runtime: Podman with launchd services

Linux (via NixOS)

• Package Management: Native Nix packages + Flatpak
• Desktop Environment: GNOME (default), KDE, or i3
• System Settings: GNOME/desktop environment defaults
• Container Runtime: Podman with systemd services

Shared Features

• Shell: Zsh with Oh My Zsh
• Development Tools: Git, Vim, direnv, nix-index
• Language Support: Node.js, Python environments
• Cross-platform aliases and environment variables

Configuration Structure

├── flake.nix                 # Main entry point
├── hosts/
│   ├── shared.nix           # macOS shared config
│   ├── linux-shared.nix     # Linux shared config
│   ├── linux-desktop.nix    # Example Linux host
│   ├── laforge.nix          # macOS hosts
│   ├── spock.nix
│   └── riker.nix
├── modules/
│   ├── core/                # Core Nix configuration
│   ├── roles/               # User roles (developer, personal, etc.)
│   ├── system/
│   │   ├── darwin-defaults.nix     # macOS system settings
│   │   ├── gnome-defaults.nix      # Linux/GNOME settings
│   │   ├── homebrew.nix            # macOS package management
│   │   └── linux-packages.nix     # Linux package management
│   ├── podman-darwin.nix    # macOS container services
│   └── podman-linux.nix     # Linux container services
├── users/ame/               # User-specific configuration
└── rc/                      # Configuration files
    ├── hammerspoon/         # macOS window management
    └── vim/                 # Editor configuration

Management Commands

macOS

# Apply configuration changes
~/.dotfiles/reload.sh

# Update package sources
~/.dotfiles/update.sh

Linux (NixOS)

# Apply configuration changes
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake ~/.dotfiles#your-hostname

# Update and rebuild
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --upgrade --flake ~/.dotfiles#your-hostname

Linux (Home Manager)

# Apply user configuration changes
home-manager switch --flake ~/.dotfiles#ame

# Update packages
nix flake update ~/.dotfiles
home-manager switch --flake ~/.dotfiles#ame

Linux-Specific Configuration

Desktop Environment Options

Edit hosts/linux-desktop.nix to choose your desktop environment:

# GNOME (default)
services.xserver.desktopManager.gnome.enable = true;

# KDE Plasma  
services.xserver.desktopManager.plasma5.enable = true;

# i3 Window Manager
services.xserver.windowManager.i3.enable = true;

Graphics Drivers

Uncomment appropriate drivers in your Linux host configuration:

# NVIDIA
services.xserver.videoDrivers = [ "nvidia" ];

# AMD
services.xserver.videoDrivers = [ "amdgpu" ];

Adding New Linux Hosts

1. Copy hosts/linux-desktop.nix to hosts/your-hostname.nix
2. Run nixos-generate-config and copy hardware configuration
3. Customize bootloader and system settings
4. Add to flake.nix nixosConfigurations
5. Build with: sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#your-hostname

Platform Differences

Package Management

• macOS: 72 Homebrew casks for GUI applications
• Linux: Native Nix packages + Flatpak for additional apps

System Configuration

• macOS: Darwin defaults control dock, finder, trackpad, etc.
• Linux: Desktop environment settings (GNOME/KDE) or window manager configs

Window Management

• macOS: Hammerspoon for advanced automation and window control
• Linux: Native window managers (i3, GNOME Shell, KDE) with extensions

Container Services

• macOS: Podman machine with launchd services
• Linux: Native Podman with systemd services

Cross-Platform Features

• Aliases: pbcopy/pbpaste → xclip equivalents on Linux
• Paths: /Users/ame → /home/ame, different socket locations
• Commands: Platform-specific variations (e.g., ls -G vs ls --color=auto)

Troubleshooting

General Issues

You may encounter errors about existing files. Follow the included instructions and retry - Nix's reproducible builds minimize system damage risk.

Linux-Specific Issues

Missing Packages: Some macOS apps lack direct Linux equivalents. Check modules/system/linux-packages.nix for alternatives.

Hardware Problems: Run nixos-generate-config to generate proper hardware configuration.

Graphics Issues: Ensure correct drivers are enabled in your host configuration.

Container Problems: Linux uses systemd instead of launchd. Use systemctl commands.

Removal

macOS/Linux: Run /nix/nix-installer uninstall. You may need to restore these files:

/etc/zshrc
/etc/bashrc  
/etc/zshenv

TODO

Move vimrc & tmux.conf into the flake

Further References

• Zero to Nix https://zero-to-nix.com
• Nix Pills https://nixos.org/guides/nix-pills/
• Intro to the Nix language, derivations and nixpkgs (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DJtHIpdp0Y
• home-manager options https://nix-community.github.io/home-manager/options.html
• nix-darwin options https://daiderd.com/nix-darwin/manual/index.html#sec-options

Acknowledgements

Inspired by https://github.com/ameske/.dot_files