name: nix-config description: Declarative macOS environment via Nix. Manages CLI packages, GUI apps (Homebrew/MAS), system settings, program configs, dotfiles, and services. Use when: (1) Adding packages, tools, or apps, (2) Configuring programs (Git, SSH, shells, etc.), (3) Modifying dotfiles or system settings, (4) Permission denied on config files (indicates Nix-managed), (5) Rebuilding system.

Nix Config

Declarative macOS environment at ~/nix-config. See the repo's CLAUDE.md for full architecture.

Adding Packages

CLI tools → users/tengjizhang/home/packages.nix

home.packages = with pkgs; [
  ripgrep
  jq
  # ...
];

GUI apps → users/tengjizhang/darwin.nix

homebrew.casks = [ "raycast" "obsidian" ];

Third-party taps → Use full tap/cask path:

homebrew.casks = [ "steipete/tap/codexbar" ];

Mac App Store → users/tengjizhang/darwin.nix

homebrew.masApps = { "Things" = 904280696; };

npm Package Pattern

For latest npm packages, use pnpm dlx wrapper:

(writeShellScriptBin "toolname" ''
  exec ${pnpm}/bin/pnpm dlx @scope/package@latest "$@"
'')

Examples in packages.nix: claude, codex, gemini, gccli

Rebuild

cd ~/nix-config && make switch > /tmp/nix-switch.log 2>&1 && echo "✓ Switch succeeded" || echo "✗ Switch failed (see /tmp/nix-switch.log)"

Workflow

1. Edit the appropriate .nix file
2. Commit changes (keeps git clean before rebuild)
3. make switch to rebuild and activate
4. Push changes

Key Files

• flake.nix - Inputs/outputs, system definition
• users/tengjizhang/home/packages.nix - CLI packages
• users/tengjizhang/home/programs.nix - Program configs (git, neovim, etc.)
• users/tengjizhang/darwin.nix - Homebrew, macOS settings