A collection of image builders for NixOS, now upstreamed into nixpkgs and replaced by nixos-rebuild build-image.
nixos-generators was a collection of image builders for NixOS that allowed users to generate system images for various platforms and formats from a single NixOS configuration. It solved the problem of manually creating deployment artifacts for different environments by providing a unified tool. The project has been deprecated as its functionality is now integrated into nixpkgs via the `nixos-rebuild build-image` command.
NixOS users and system administrators who need to deploy NixOS across multiple platforms like cloud providers, virtual machines, or physical hardware.
It offered a consistent, declarative way to build images for diverse targets from one configuration, reducing complexity and ensuring reproducibility. Developers chose it for its extensive format support and integration with the Nix ecosystem.
Collection of image builders [maintainer=@Lassulus]
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Supported over 20 image formats including cloud providers (AWS, Azure), virtual machines (VMware, VirtualBox), and containers (Docker, LXC), as detailed in the comprehensive format table.
Enabled building images for diverse platforms from a single NixOS configuration, reducing manual setup and ensuring consistency across deployments.
Used for 8 years and built countless images, demonstrating reliability and widespread adoption before its functionality was upstreamed into nixpkgs.
Provides clear documentation and a format compatibility table to help users transition to the new `nixos-rebuild build-image` command.
Officially deprecated as of NixOS 25.05, meaning no new features, bug fixes, or security updates, forcing users to migrate for future compatibility.
Switching to upstream requires learning new commands and may involve configuration changes, with some formats like Docker having limitations (e.g., 'probably only works in podman') or requiring customization.
The new `nixos-rebuild build-image` command might not perfectly replicate all behaviors or outputs of nixos-generators, leading to adjustment periods and troubleshooting.