Upgrade NixOS Release

Upgrade NixOS to a new stable release version. This involves updating version-pinned flake inputs and handling any breaking changes.

Process

1. Check current state

   nixos-version
   nix --version
   

2. Identify version-pinned inputs in flake.nix that need updating:

   • nixpkgs (e.g., nixos-25.05 → nixos-25.11)
   • home-manager (e.g., release-25.05 → release-25.11)
   • nix-darwin (e.g., nix-darwin-25.05 → nix-darwin-25.11)
   • stylix (e.g., release-25.05 → release-25.11)

3. Research the target release

   • Use web search to find the latest stable NixOS release
   • Check release notes for breaking changes relevant to this config
   • Verify release branches exist for home-manager, stylix, nix-darwin

4. Identify breaking changes that affect this config:

   • Scan modules for services/packages that might be affected
   • Key areas: Hyprland, Docker, Steam, Secure Boot, impermanence

5. Create upgrade plan (use creating-plans skill):

   • Save to scratch/plans/YYYY-MM-DD-nixos-<version>-upgrade.md
   • Include exact file changes with line numbers
   • Include verification commands
   • Include rollback instructions

6. Execute upgrade (when user is ready):

   # Edit flake.nix with new versions
   just update        # Update flake.lock
   just check         # Build without applying (safe)
   just switch        # Apply the upgrade
   

7. Post-upgrade verification:

   nixos-version
   nix --version
   docker --version
   systemctl status docker tailscaled
   hyprctl version
   

What stays pinned (don't change)

• lanzaboote - explicit version pin (e.g., v0.4.2), not tied to NixOS releases
• nixpkgs-unstable - always tracks unstable
• Inputs that follow nixpkgs - automatically updated

Rollback

Print out the instructions to:

sudo nixos-rebuild switch --rollback
git checkout flake.nix flake.lock

$ARGUMENTS