nix-config-ryan4yin/home/linux/gui/README.md

Desktop Environment Configurations

This directory contains desktop environment and window manager configurations managed by Home Manager.

Available Configurations

Window Managers

• niri: Niri compositor configuration with custom settings, keybindings, spawn-at-startup rules, and window rules
• i3: Headless X11 session for the computer-use VMs (idols-ruby, idols-kana); see i3/README.md

Base Desktop Environment

• base: Common desktop configurations shared across all environments, including:
  • Noctalia: native (v5) all-in-one Wayland desktop shell; see base/README.md for the components it replaces
  • Creative tools and media applications
  • Development tools
  • Fcitx5 input method framework
  • Games and gaming utilities
  • GTK theme configurations
  • Note-taking applications
  • Wayland session tools and environment variables
  • XDG desktop configurations

Why install Desktop Environments in Home Manager instead of NixOS Module?

1. Configuration Location: Desktop environment configuration files are located in ~/.config, which can be easily managed by Home Manager.

2. User-specific Services: User-specific systemd services (fcitx5, hypridle, etc.) can be easily managed by Home Manager. If desktop environments were configured via NixOS Module, these user-level services might fail to start automatically. With Home Manager modules, we can control systemd service dependency order more effectively.

3. System Benefits: By minimizing package installation through NixOS Module:

   • Makes the NixOS system more secure and stable
   • Increases portability to non-NixOS systems, as Home Manager can be installed on any Linux system
   • Allows for easier switching between different window managers without system-level changes