# nina

**the best way to use nixos.**

Nina wraps the full NixOS workflow in plain, memorable verbs — packages, rebuilds, generations, flakes, services, remote machines. Written in Zig. Zero dependencies. One binary.

```
$ nina search ripgrep
$ nina apply
$ nina back
$ nina status --all
```

---

## install

```sh
curl -fsSL kepr.uk/nina/install.sh | sh
```

or clone and build:

```sh
koh steal kepr.uk/nina
cd nina && zig build -Doptimize=ReleaseFast
sudo cp zig-out/bin/nina /usr/local/bin/nina
```

**linux · nixos 24.05+** — requires `nix-command` and `flakes` experimental features.  
Run `nina setup` on first use to enable them automatically.

---

## the commands you'll actually use

```
nina apply           rebuild and switch to the new configuration
nina apply --dry     preview what would change without switching
nina back            roll back to the previous generation
nina go <n>          jump to any generation by number
nina history         list all generations
nina clean           remove old generations and free store space

nina search <q>      search nixpkgs inline — browse, install, or try
nina option <q>      search NixOS options inline
nina install <p>     add a package — profile (instant) or system config
nina remove <p>      remove a package from profile or system config
nina try <p>         run a package without installing it
nina list            show installed packages

nina status          machine health at a glance
nina status --all    health across every configured machine
nina doctor          diagnose common issues
nina diff            what changed between generations
nina log             operation history

nina service list    list systemd services and their state
nina service logs <s> journal logs for a service
nina service start/stop/restart <s>

nina flake show      inspect flake outputs
nina flake update    update lock files
nina develop         enter a dev shell
nina build           build a flake output
nina run <p>         run a package without installing

nina edit            open configuration.nix in your editor
nina check           validate config without switching
nina fmt             format nix files
nina info            nixos version, kernel, uptime
nina boot            boot entries

nina help            all commands
nina --version       version info
```

---

## multi-machine

Any command runs on a remote machine with `--on <name>`. Configure machines in `~/.nina.conf`:

```ini
[machine]
name    = kyoshi
config  = /etc/nixos
local   = true
default = true

[machine]
name    = azula
host    = azula
user    = june
ssh_key = ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
```

```
nina apply --on azula
nina service logs ollama -f --on azula
nina status --all
```

```
:: status

   kyoshi   gen 348   3m ago    42 GB
   azula    gen 192   14m ago   18 GB
```

---

## search that stays at the prompt

`nina search` opens an inline widget — no fullscreen takeover. Browse results, see versions and licenses, install to your profile or system config, copy the attr name, or try the package in a temporary shell.

```
:: search nixpkgs  ripgrep                          12 results

   > ripgrep        14.1.1   free    fast line-oriented search
     ripgrep-all    0.9.6    free    search across file formats
     ugrep          6.0.0    free    grep compatible ripgrep alt

   ripgrep  14.1.1  free
   recursively search directories for a regex pattern
   attr   pkgs.ripgrep

   [i] profile  [s] system  [t] try  [c] copy  [esc] exit
```

---

## install that actually works

`nina install` uses `nix search nixpkgs` directly — no external API, no network dependency after your first channel update, no silent failures. Works offline.

Two install paths, your choice:

- **profile** — instant. package available immediately. no rebuild.
- **system** — opens your editor at the right line in `configuration.nix`, then offers to apply.

---

## config

`~/.nina.conf` — plain text, no surprises:

```ini
editor      = hx
generations = 5
confirm     = true
teach       = false
color       = true

[machine]
name    = my-machine
config  = /etc/nixos
local   = true
default = true
```

`teach = true` prints the underlying nix command after each operation so you learn while you work.

---

## what nina outputs

```
:: rebuilding kyoshi...

   -> [build output]

:: generation 14  [42.3s]
```

```
:: error: 'firefocks' not found in nixpkgs
   -> try: nina search firefox
```

Pink `::` marks Nina's voice. Green for success. Red for errors. Yellow for warnings. Color auto-disables when stdout is not a TTY. Respects `NO_COLOR`.

---

## built by

[asha software](https://asha.software) — hope in every line of code.

**[nina.asha.software](https://nina.asha.software)** · [source](https://kepr.uk/nina) · [docs](https://nina.asha.software/docs)