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Recommend nix-shell instead of nix-env for NixOS installation #14045
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This is a clear documentation improvement request: updating the NixOS installation instructions to recommend
nix-shell(or the NixOS package page) overnix-env, which NixOS itself discourages. The rationale is well-explained and the proposed fix is specific.No duplicates found — the related issue #8353 (closed) was about initially adding Nix installation instructions, which was completed; this issue is a follow-up improvement.
The existing
enhancementlabel is appropriate. No additional labels are suggested at this time — the issue is ready for engineering/docs review as-is.Generated by Issue Triage (skills-driven) for #14045 · sonnet46 · 20.4 AIC · ⌖ 5 AIC · ⊞ 6.6K · ◷
There's already a PR for this that we may want to reopen if the OP (@NyCodeGHG) updates it.
- added 2 commits that reference this issue
on Aug 3, 2026
Description
Our NixOS instructions currently recommend
nix-env, which the NixOS package website discourages:Fix
We should recommend
nix-shell -p ghfor temporary use, then direct users to the NixOS package installation instructions for permanent installation.