nix-search

Overview

Use the nix-search CLI tool to search packages, options, and flakes from search.nixos.org. Run searches proactively whenever you need package information - don't ask permission for read-only searches.

When To Use

Use when helping users find Nix packages, NixOS configuration options, or flakes. Triggers when:

•writing Nix code (flake.nix, configuration.nix) that needs package names,
•answering questions about installing software with Nix,
•searching for which package provides a binary/program,
•looking up NixOS options for system configuration,
•finding package versions or platform availability,
•discovering flakes. Be proactive - automatically search when you need package information rather than asking the user.

Core Search Patterns

Search by Binary/Program Name

When users ask "what package provides X?" or need a specific binary:

bash

nix-search -p <program-name>

Examples:

•nix-search -p gcc - Find package providing gcc compiler
•nix-search -p terraform - Find Terraform package
•nix-search -p "aws*" - Find AWS-related programs (wildcards supported)

After finding: Provide installation commands based on context.

Search by Package Attribute Name

When writing Nix code or verifying exact package names:

bash

nix-search -n <package-name>

Examples:

•nix-search -n python3 - Find python3 package
•nix-search -n "emacsPackages.*" - Find Emacs packages (wildcards supported)
•nix-search -n terraform - Get exact attribute name

After finding: Use the attribute name directly in Nix code.

Search by Keywords

For general discovery when users describe what they need:

bash

nix-search "<description keywords>"

Examples:

•nix-search "python linter" - Find Python linting tools
•nix-search "web browser" - Find browser packages
•nix-search golang - Find Go-related packages

After finding: Show relevant options, let user clarify if needed.

Search NixOS Options

When users ask about system configuration:

bash

nix-search -t options "<option-pattern>"

Examples:

•nix-search -t options "networking.firewall" - Find firewall options
•nix-search -t options "services.nginx" - Find nginx configuration options
•nix-search -t options boot - Find boot-related options

After finding: Provide configuration.nix example with the option.

Search Flakes

When users need to discover flakes:

bash

nix-search -t flakes <query>

Examples:

•nix-search -t flakes wayland - Find Wayland-related flakes
•nix-search -t flakes home-manager - Find home-manager flakes

Platform-Specific Search

When architecture matters:

bash

nix-search --platform <arch> <query>

Platforms: x86_64-linux, aarch64-linux, aarch64-darwin, x86_64-darwin, i686-linux, armv7l-linux, riscv64-linux, powerpc64le-linux

Example:

•nix-search --platform aarch64-darwin python3 - Check if Python 3 is available for Apple Silicon

Channel-Specific Search

To check specific NixOS releases:

bash

nix-search -c <channel> <query>

Common channels: unstable, 24.11, 24.05, 23.11, 23.05

Example:

•nix-search -c 24.05 firefox - Find Firefox in stable 24.05
•nix-search -c unstable nodejs - Find latest Node.js

Version Search

To find or verify specific versions:

bash

nix-search <package> -v "<version-pattern>"

Examples:

•nix-search golang -v "1.21" - Find Go version 1.21
•nix-search terraform -v "1.*" - Find Terraform 1.x versions

Contextual Actions

After running searches, take appropriate action based on context:

Context: Writing flake.nix

Detect: Editing flake.nix or user asks to modify flake Action: Insert package attribute directly into code

nix

# User: "Add terraform to my devShell"
# → Run: nix-search -n terraform
# → Insert into flake.nix:
{
  devShells.default = pkgs.mkShell {
    packages = with pkgs; [
      terraform
    ];
  };
}

Context: Writing configuration.nix

Detect: Editing configuration.nix or user asks about system packages Action: Add to environment.systemPackages or appropriate service configuration

nix

# User: "Install firefox system-wide"
# → Run: nix-search -n firefox
# → Insert:
environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
  firefox
];

Context: Interactive Q&A

Detect: User asking "how do I install X?" or "what package has Y?" Action: Show package info with installation commands

code

# User: "How do I install gcc?"
# → Run: nix-search -p gcc
# → Response:
The gcc package provides the GCC compiler collection.

Install temporarily (for current shell):
  nix shell nixpkgs#gcc

Install persistently:
  nix profile install nixpkgs#gcc

Or add to your flake.nix or configuration.nix

Context: NixOS Options Lookup

Detect: Questions about "how do I configure X?" or "what's the option for Y?" Action: Provide configuration example

code

# User: "How do I enable the firewall?"
# → Run: nix-search -t options "networking.firewall.enable"
# → Response:
Add to your configuration.nix:

networking.firewall.enable = true;
networking.firewall.allowedTCPPorts = [ 80 443 ];

Context: Version or Platform Questions

Detect: Questions about "is X available for Y?" or "what version of Z?" Action: Check across channels/platforms and report

code

# User: "Is Python 3.12 available for ARM?"
# → Run: nix-search --platform aarch64-linux python3 -v "3.12"
# → Report availability and recommend channel if needed

Common Scenarios

"How do I install X?"

•Run nix-search -p X or nix-search X
•Show package description
•Provide installation commands (shell/profile/flake)

"What package has the Y binary?"

•Run nix-search -p Y
•Show matching packages with descriptions
•If multiple matches, show top 2-3, let user choose if ambiguous

"Add Z to my development environment"

•Run nix-search -n Z to verify package exists
•Detect which file (flake.nix, shell.nix)
•Add package to appropriate packages list

"How do I configure W service?"

•Run nix-search -t options "services.W"
•Show relevant options with types and descriptions
•Provide configuration.nix example

"Is package X available for my platform?"

•Run nix-search --platform <arch> X
•If not found, try unstable channel
•Report availability or suggest alternatives

Error Handling

No Results Found

•Try broader search terms
•Remove filters (version, platform)
•Check spelling
•Search in unstable channel
•Suggest similar packages if available

Multiple Ambiguous Matches

•Show top 2-3 results with brief descriptions
•Let user clarify which one they want
•Don't guess - ask if unclear

Platform Unavailable

•Check if available on other platforms
•Try unstable channel
•Inform user of availability constraints
•Suggest alternatives if possible

Version Not Found

•Show available versions
•Suggest closest match
•Check unstable channel for newer versions

Output Control

Silent Searches

Run searches without announcing them. Just show results or integrate into code/answers.

Detailed Information

Use -d flag when user needs more details:

bash

nix-search -d python3

JSON Output

For programmatic parsing (rare, only if needed for complex logic):

bash

nix-search --json python3

Advanced Patterns

For advanced scenarios (pagination, complex filtering, JSON parsing), see references/search-patterns.md.

Key Principles

•Be proactive - Search automatically when you need package info
•Context-aware - Different actions for code vs. Q&A
•Silent operation - Don't announce searches, just use results
•Handle errors gracefully - Try alternatives, suggest solutions
•Verify before writing - Always check package exists before adding to code