mirror of
https://github.com/youwen5/nixos.git
synced 2024-11-30 20:23:53 -08:00
127 lines
8.4 KiB
Markdown
Executable file
127 lines
8.4 KiB
Markdown
Executable file
# liminalOS
|
|
|
|
This is a repository that implements liminalOS, my personal Linux distribution
|
|
based on [NixOS](https://nixos.org/).
|
|
|
|
Time wasted writing Nix code:
|
|
|
|
|
|
<!-- prettier-ignore -->
|
|
> **lim·i·nal**
|
|
> 1. between or belonging to two different places, states, etc.
|
|
|
|
The goal of liminalOS is to allow my computing environment to exist in different
|
|
places (computers) at the same time, without the minor disparities, issues, and
|
|
inconsistencies that arise from traditional approaches such as scripting. This
|
|
works exceptionally well, demonstrated by the fact that I have the exact same
|
|
environment across three separate machines, spanning two completely different
|
|
CPU architectures.
|
|
|
|
Traditionally, we expect to configure each of our computers separately. We have
|
|
a general idea of the programs, settings, and minor tweaks that we like to make
|
|
on every computer, but we have to manually set all of these up. Many Unix
|
|
hackers have thus created sprawling installation scripts to manage their various
|
|
systems so they can be deployed in a predictable manner each time. Of course,
|
|
scripts are still heavily dependent on environment and prone to breakage. When
|
|
they inevitably break, the system is left in a malformed state, where some setup
|
|
actions have been taken and others have not, and it is up to the system
|
|
administrator to fix the failing script and ensure the system is set up
|
|
properly. Also, updating existing machines and rolling back to previous states
|
|
is a separate, even more difficult issue to solve with this approach.
|
|
|
|
In essence, the primary failure of setup scripts is that they are _imperative_ -
|
|
they must specify precisely _how_ to set up the system, down to minute details,
|
|
whereas in a _declarative_ approach, the user can simply specify what the system
|
|
_should look like_, and abstractions take care of the _how_. This is what NixOS
|
|
does, and it gives you remote syncing, versioning (via `git`), and rollbacks
|
|
_for free_.
|
|
|
|
NixOS provides the key tools for reliably deploying systems - namely, a _purely
|
|
functional_ package manager that's reproducible by default and the necessary
|
|
abstractions needed for a declarative system configuration. liminalOS is my set
|
|
of opinionated NixOS and `home-manager` modules that aim to set up a computing
|
|
environment _independent of the host_. This makes it possible for me to share
|
|
common configuration between a multitude of entirely distinct machines,
|
|
including an `x86_64` desktop, an `x86_64` laptop, an Apple Silicon Macbook
|
|
running NixOS `aarch64` using [Asahi Linux](https://asahilinux.org/), and the
|
|
same Macbook running macOS with `nix-darwin`, sharing `home-manager`
|
|
configuration with NixOS. Specific configuration necessary to adjust
|
|
hardware-specific details between each machines are isolated to the
|
|
[hosts](./hosts) directory.
|
|
|
|
## Installation guide
|
|
|
|
TBD. May use `deploy-rs` or the in-house
|
|
[dartgun](https://github.com/youwen5/dartgun) tool for easy deployment.
|
|
|
|
## FAQ
|
|
|
|
### This looks like a collection of NixOS configuration files and modules. What makes it a distinct distribution?
|
|
|
|
Most Linux[^1] users will agree that any self-respecting distribution must
|
|
include at least the following: installer, package manager, and some set of
|
|
default packages. Therefore, anything that implements the aforementioned items
|
|
must also be a Linux distribution.
|
|
|
|
liminalOS comes with the Nix package manager (nobody said you need a _unique_
|
|
package manager - Ubuntu and Debian are distinct distributions yet both use
|
|
`apt`), a custom desktop environment comprised of Waybar, Hyprland, rofi, as
|
|
well as various applications installed by default, and
|
|
[the means to generate an installer](https://nixos.wiki/wiki/Creating_a_NixOS_live_CD).
|
|
Therefore, liminalOS is a Linux distribution. QED.[^2]
|
|
|
|
### Should I actually install this?
|
|
|
|
No. You should instead use the modules as configuration examples if you need
|
|
them as they are heavily customized for my needs, which are not the same as
|
|
yours.
|
|
|
|
## Hosts
|
|
|
|
The modules in liminalOS are designed to be utilized by a wide variety of
|
|
machine configurations, including via nix-darwin on macOS. To that end, modules
|
|
are organized by operating system (darwin vs. linux), architecture (x86_64 vs.
|
|
aarch-64), and form factor (desktop vs laptop). Anything that is agnostic of
|
|
these distinctions is considered a "common module" and allows configuration to
|
|
be shared between the various host types. This generally includes core programs
|
|
like CLI tools, the window manager, etc.
|
|
|
|
The [flake.nix](/flake.nix) currently contains my configuration for four hosts:
|
|
|
|
| Hostname | Description |
|
|
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
| "callisto" | a Macbook Pro M1 (2021) running under Asahi Linux. Imports the laptop module sets as well as the core NixOS module sets. |
|
|
| "demeter" | a custom desktop with an i7-13700KF and RTX 4080. Imports the desktop module, the core NixOS modules, and additionally the gaming module. |
|
|
| "phobos" | Macbook Pro M1 (2021) running macOS with nix-darwin. Imports the core home-manager module as well as some darwin-specific modules for window managers and the like. |
|
|
| "adrastea" | Razer Blade 14 (2021) with RTX 3070. Imports the laptop module, the core NixOS modules, and the gaming module. |
|
|
|
|
[^1]:
|
|
also known as GNU/Linux, GNU+Linux, Freedesktop/systemd/musl/busybox Linux,
|
|
Linux+friends, etc
|
|
|
|
[^2]:
|
|
although this is not actually how the converse works, the rigor-hungry
|
|
mathematicians reading can cry about it.
|
|
|
|
## Keybinds
|
|
|
|
Non-exhaustive.
|
|
|
|
| Shortcut | Action |
|
|
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>W</kbd> | Toggle floating |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>K</kbd> | Toggle layout |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>E</kbd> | Open Dolphin |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>T</kbd> | Open kitty |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>F</kbd> | Open librewolf |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>R</kbd> | Open pavucontrol |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>Space</kbd> | Open rofi |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>Backspace</kbd> | Open logout menu |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>L</kbd> | Screenshot region |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>H</kbd><kbd>J</kbd><kbd>K</kbd><kbd>L</kbd> | Move around |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>H</kbd><kbd>L</kbd> | Move workspaces |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>H</kbd><kbd>J</kbd><kbd>K</kbd><kbd>L</kbd> | Move windows around workspaces |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>H</kbd><kbd>J</kbd><kbd>K</kbd><kbd>L</kbd> | Move windows around |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>S</kbd> | Open Special Workspace |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>Enter</kbd> | Fullscreen Window |
|
|
| <kbd>Super</kbd> + <kbd>Alt</kbd> + <kbd>S</kbd> | Move Window to Special Workspace |
|