What is NixOS?

NixOS is a full-featured, independent Linux distribution built using the nix package manager using a configuration file. You can download and install it on a wide range of hardware, or run it as a virtual machine.

The Drupal for NixOS project is a community-led integration that brings these two tools together using a common nix interface. The intent is to make it possible to run Drupal as a first-class service from within NixOS so you can deploy purpose built Linux boxes with support for both website-as-code and infrastructure-as-code out of the box.

Because of the power of nix, this means that users have the option to build a website on any platform they choose, share it, test it, deploy it, and configure it using a single interface and a single programming language.

Installing NixOS

Official ISO

NixOS has regular bi-yearly stable builds available for download on the NixOS website. You can choose from either a minimal installation or an ISO with a desktop environment.

• Download links: https://nixos.org/download/#nix-more

Downstream Forks and Distributions

NixOS has spawned off a few downstream forks and distributions that are tailored to specific use cases. Most of the following use nixpkgs and, therefore, could be used to run or develop sites using Drupal for NixOS.

• NixOS Wiki link: https://wiki.nixos.org/wiki/NixOS-based_distributions

Running NixOS in a Virtual Machine

Depending on your host system, you may have access to multiple different options for visualizing NixOS.