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What is the common way to install utility programs like file and ripgrep in NixOS

I want these programs to be installed in my user environment while not using nix-shell and nix-env (I was told to not use nix-env). I tried to use home-manager but I can't do program.file/ripgrep bc it's not an option. May I ask what is the common approach to install things like file and ripgrep in NixOS?

Solution

  • With home-manager, you can install programs by adding them by adding them in home.packages. For instance, if you want to install ripgrep, you could add in your home.nix:

    home.packages = [
  pkgs.ripgrep
];

    Or, more conveniently

    home.packages = with pkgs; [
  ripgrep
];

    You can add any program you want in that list.

    Note that there is a difference between installing them with home-manager, and by adding it in environment.systemPackages, which is that the former will only install them for the user, while the latter will install system-wide. Besides that, both work similarly.