Question 1

How do I install a package from NUR on NixOS?

Accepted Answer

Set up NUR in your configuration.nix using packageOverrides or flakes, then add packages like pkgs.nur.repos.username.packagename to environment.systemPackages. The README provides specific code examples for both methods.

Question 2

What's the difference between NUR and Nixpkgs?

Accepted Answer

NUR is a decentralized meta-repository with no central review, allowing faster updates for experimental packages, while Nixpkgs is centrally managed with strict reviews for stability and security. NUR packages are built from source, unlike many Nixpkgs binaries.

Question 3

Is NUR safe to use for sensitive projects?

Accepted Answer

Not ideally, as the README states it doesn't check for malicious content regularly. You should review package expressions yourself and use caution, especially for untrusted repositories or production systems.

Question 4

How can I add my own repository to NUR?

Accepted Answer

Create a repo with a default.nix, edit repos.json in the NUR repo to add your URL, run bin/nur update for evaluation, and submit a pull request. The README details the steps and provides a template for structure.

Question 5

Why are my NUR packages not updating automatically?

Accepted Answer

Updates can fail due to evaluation errors like incorrect license attributes or using builtin fetchers. Check the latest build job on GitHub or use the local evaluation check command provided in the README to diagnose issues.

Question 6

Can I use NUR with Home Manager without flakes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, import NUR modules using fetchTarball in your Home Manager configuration, as shown in the integration section. You need to set up nur-no-pkgs and add the modules to imports.

Question 7

How to test changes to a NUR repository before publishing?

Accepted Answer

Use the repoOverrides argument in your NUR configuration to point to a local or alternate repository. This allows seamless testing of modifications, with examples provided for both legacy and flake setups.

NUR

What is NUR?

Overview

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