install-packages

What I do

• •Guide proper package installation on Nix-managed systems
• •Prevent use of imperative package managers (brew, apt, pacman, etc.)
• •Ensure reproducible system configuration

When to use me

• •When you need to install a package
• •When a command is not found
• •When setting up development tools or dependencies
• •Before running ANY brew, apt, or similar commands

Critical rules

• •NEVER run these commands: brew, apt, apt-get, pacman, yum, dnf
• •Any command that imperatively changes global system state

Ephemeral usage for one-off commands

Use nix run for temporary/one-time package usage:

nix run nixpkgs#<package> -- <args>

Example:

nix run nixpkgs#cowsay -- "Hello"

Permanent installation

Per-project:

1. •Check the development shell configuration in flake.nix
2. •Add the package
3. •Reload the development shell

Globally:

1. •Determine the OS configuration project:
   • •macOS: ~/Documents/macos-setup
   • •NixOS: ~/Documents/nixos-setup
2. •Find the right nix file to add the package:
   • •Explore the project structure (varies per project)
   • •Common locations: configuration.nix, default.nix
   • •Consider: system vs user package, stable vs unstable channel
   • •If unsure where to add it, ask the user
3. •Add the package to the appropriate packages list
4. •Apply changes:
   • •make in the OS configuration project directory
   • •It may require sudo password or TouchID authentication from the user