NixOS Desktop Setup

Installation

sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake github:Key5n/dotfiles-nix#nixos-desktop

Dual Boot with Windows

• You need to copy the Windows boot loader to the Linux ESP. Then systemd-boot auto detection works.

VPN Setup

1. First, change the university password in /modules/nixos/network.nix.
2. If you don’t have the certificate, download it.

# Connect
sudo swanctl --initiate --child net

# Disconnect
sudo swanctl --terminate --child net

# Check connection status (only shown when connected)
sudo swanctl --list-sas

MacBook Setup

cd ~/dotfiles-nix
nix build .#darwinConfigurations."Key5n-MacBook-Pro".system --extra-experimental-features 'nix-command flakes'
./result/sw/bin/darwin-rebuild switch --flake .#Key5n-MacBook-Pro

Note: If the username is not key5n, an error occurs.

Settings That Must Be Done Manually

• Disable Japanese live conversion. Steps: (1) Switch the keyboard in the top-right to Japanese and click it. (2) Disable “Live Conversion”.
• Change the Caps Lock key to the Command key. Path: Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcut > Modifier Key.
• Change input source switching to Command + Space. Also disable Spotlight because its default shortcut conflicts with Cmd + Space. Paths: Settings > Keyboard > Modifier Key, and Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcut > Input Source.
• GitHub SSH setup: https://docs.github.com/en/authentication/connecting-to-github-with-ssh/generating-a-new-ssh-key-and-adding-it-to-the-ssh-agent
• Raycast shortcut setup. Steps: (1) Launch Raycast manually and set it to start at login. (2) Click the Raycast icon in the top-right. (3) Open settings and set the Raycast hotkey (default is Option + Space).
• Install Office. Steps: (1) Open the Office website. (2) Log in with your university account. (3) Install.
• Install Docker: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/install/mac-install/
• Set wallpaper.
• Disable “click desktop to show desktop”. Path: Settings > Desktop and Dock > Desktop and Stage Manager.
• (Possibly) manually install applications from the App Store.

Installation (Mac)

1. Install Nix on the MacBook. Recommended: https://github.com/DeterminateSystems/nix-installer Note: The first run may fail for unknown reasons. If you add the --determinate flag, Nix will be managed by Determinate and some nix-darwin features become unavailable.
2. Install Homebrew manually: https://brew.sh/
3. Build from these dotfiles: nix build github:Key5n/dotfiles-nix#darwinConfigurations.Key5n-MacBook-Pro.system --extra-experimental-features 'nix-command flakes'
4. Apply the build: ./result/sw/bin/darwin-rebuild switch --flake github:Key5n/dotfiles-nix#Key5n-MacBook-Pro

References

• https://daiderd.com/nix-darwin/manual/index.html
• https://github.com/ryan4yin/nix-darwin-kickstarter/blob/main/minimal/flake.nix