How to add unstable channel packages and services to NixOS configuration

Apr 1, 2024 - Last update: Jan 23, 2025

Introduction

In the default channel of NixOS, some packages tend to lag behind. Fortunately, it’s possible to use newer packages from the unstable channel when needed.

Here’s a fantastic solution for adding the unstable channel declaratively to the configuration. I’ve applied this solution for the Cockpit setup.

Additionally, I’ve detailed how to use the unstable channel for services. This approach allows you to leverage options exclusive to the unstable channel. For instance, I’ve utilized this method for the Ollama service.

How To

Unstable channel packages and services configuration

Below is the NixOS configuration for using packages from the unstable channel. The grey-highlighted sections indicate what is needed to use services from the unstable channel.

NixOS Configuration

  # To edit use your text editor application, for example Nano
  { config, pkgs, ... }:

  let
  # Add the unstable channel declaratively
    unstableTarball =
      fetchTarball
        https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/archive/nixos-unstable.tar.gz;
  in
  {
    disabledModules = [ "services/misc/ollama.nix" ]; # Disable the stable channel version
    # You can find the path to the service and nix file here: https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/tree/656a024f9187fcfc8e5ca81a9c3f370af52e0776/nixos/modules/services

    imports =
    [
      ./hardware-configuration.nix # Include the results of the hardware scan
      (unstableTarball + "/nixos/modules/services/misc/ollama.nix")
    ];

    nixpkgs.config = {
      packageOverrides = pkgs: {
        unstable = import unstableTarball {
          config = config.nixpkgs.config;
        };
      };
    };

    # Use unstable if you want to use the package from the unstable channel
    environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
      wget
      htop
      curl
      # Examples from the unstable channel
      unstable.cockpit
      unstable.quickemu
      unstable.quickgui
    ];

    # Add the service with options from the unstable channel
    services = {
      ollama = {
        enable = true;
        acceleration = "cuda"; # Or rocm
        package = pkgs.unstable.ollama; # Also use the package from the unstable channel!
      };
    };

    # Add the rest of the configuration here
  }

Switch NixOS configuration

To apply the new NixOS configuration, run the following command:

Linux

# Open your terminal application
sudo nix-collect-garbage # Optional: clean up
sudo nixos-rebuild switch

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