github.com/nixos/nixpkgs ↗

About nixos/nixpkgs

Nixpkgs is a massive collection of over 140,000 software packages available through the Nix package manager, alongside a complete implementation of NixOS, a purely-functional Linux distribution. The project serves as both a package repository and a full operating system, allowing users to declare their system configuration and software dependencies in a reproducible, declarative way using the Nix expression language.

The project is one of GitHub's most active repositories, reflecting its ambitious scope of describing how to build tens of thousands of pieces of software and implementing an entire Linux distribution. Packages and updates are continuously built and tested through Hydra, the community's custom continuous integration system, with successful builds cached and distributed through Nix channels. The project maintains multiple release branches alongside an unstable master branch, ensuring both cutting-edge updates and stable long-term support options.

Community contributions are central to Nixpkgs' development model, with thousands of contributors regularly submitting pull requests and issues. The project is supported by the NixOS Foundation, a nonprofit organization responsible for maintaining the infrastructure, and welcomes donations to ensure the continuity and expansion of the ecosystem. Comprehensive documentation is available covering package management, NixOS system administration, and Nix expression writing, alongside active community forums and chat channels for user support.