Why I switched to NixOS (And why you should, too)
Now, I think NixOS is not a good option for you if you: just want things to work fast
this post was submitted on 30 Mar 2026
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After half a year of using it as main driver, I'm still loving nixOS. My entire sway config is in a git repo now, along with the rest of my system config. So nice not having to scrounge around for all the different dotfiles to back up, just the flakes directory.
Do I need to temporarily use a tool not installed? nix-shell to the rescue. Do I need a special shell with commands for the projects I'm currently working on? I just add a .nix file to the project and nix-shell comes to the rescue again. So elegant.
Can I ask about the last bit? Is it like having different dev environments or profiles, and you can just use them as needed?
Intro: https://nixos-and-flakes.thiscute.world/development/intro
Pre-configured shells: https://github.com/the-nix-way/dev-templates
Pair with lorri and direnv.
To also answer your question directly: yes, this was indeed one of two initial motivations for Nix!
I am a nixos fan, I do tell people to use nixos, but for some reason all these switch to nixos posts feel sus. Idk.
There have been an influx of them in my RSS feeds, I wonder if there's been a You Tube or Tick Tock video that went viral about Nix some time earlier.