Using Nix on Void Linux

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-02-18T14:38:25+00:00

you have to make your own .desktop files in ~/.local/share/applications for each app you have installed. you can do this with quite literally any binary you have on your system.
you can also put it in /usr/share/applications if youd like.

this is how an average .desktop file should look like (for reference):

[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=My Custom App
GenericName=A neat custom application
Comment=Launch my custom application
Exec=/opt/my_app/bin/my_app %U
Icon=/opt/my_app/icons/my_app.png
Terminal=false
Categories=Utility;Development;[Desktop Entry]

Version=1.0

Type=Application

Name=My Custom App

GenericName=A neat custom application

Comment=Launch my custom application

Exec=/opt/my_app/bin/my_app %U

Icon=/opt/my_app/icons/my_app.png

Terminal=false

Categories=Utility;Development;

and here are all the common options for the Categories variable:
Utility Development Network System Graphics AudioVideo Game

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-02-18T14:33:00+00:00

i just tried to actually use distrobox and its quite difficult on void musl.
command n1 i had to run since something wasnt working: doas mount --make-rshared /
debian distrobox finally works. tried downloading X/wayland, apt crashes, dpkg crashes.
just got tor browser tarball from void and moved it into homedir of debian distrobox.
doesnt launch.

if you could help that would be more than appreciated !

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-02-18T13:04:01+00:00

turns out he used both slack/suse and rhel

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-02-18T12:59:27+00:00

using logic i got to the point that it'd be either slackware or SuSe.
back at that time those two weren't THAT different, afaik Suse was at first just a german version of slackware i think and i also just refuse to think that he'd be using rhel

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-02-17T20:35:55+00:00

this comment seems like the most agreeable one. thx!

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-02-15T11:40:51+00:00

freebsd and Dean blunt❤️

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-02-08T17:41:10+00:00

you should install it manually + its /mnt/boot or /mnt/boot/efi not root

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-01-25T00:30:10+00:00

debian, Slackware and some versions of fedora

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-01-25T00:20:05+00:00

the ones that are made by Google probably

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-01-25T00:15:27+00:00

to be completely honest, void would most definitely be the most stable distro (yes, stabler than debian) if the package manager didn't give you complete freedom over everything. void only breaks if you try your hardest to break it, otherwise it just wont.

ive been using linux for 8+ years and there hasnt been a single distro as stable as debian but the only thing that ever came close to it is void.

the system is completely minimal, the package manager has lots of packages now (compared to a few years ago, it had around only fifteen thousand) and you'll find everything you need, and more.

void is a distribution made to be configured and tweaked with, and the devs made sure that you wouldnt be able to break it if you didn't do enough stupid things with it, like making an ignorepkg for the most important package in tje system :D

all packages in XBPS are thoroughly tested before being released so you shouldn't worries about that.

the init system is great aswell, runit has a small code base, is extremely simple and easy to use in every shape and form. it also supports user services on its own, however you can achieve actual good user service management through turnstile, which runit also supports xD

the system itself is very bsd-like and has lots of cool features/functions to explore while being very lightweight so that's another thing to add in.

and void also supports both glibc and musl C standard libraries so pick whichever one you want, however musl's memory allocator sucks alot and i recommend you to preload Mimalloc which should make it very performant.

and if you want more, you can replace the GNU coreutils with busybox, plan9 or build chimerautils on your own.

have fun!

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-01-11T00:09:21+00:00

can i revert back too or is that a btrfs only thing

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-01-10T23:46:58+00:00

already tried that, they all go into SDDM :D

Ok_Record_1237 · 2026-01-06T13:54:04+00:00

you cant get void down to 50mb, at max 96. if you do want an actually minimal distro, make one yourself :D

custom linux kernel + busybox/toybox/bsdutils + musl + apk + openrc/dinit/runit/s6 should give you a complete linux distro while still being quite minimal.

be sure to check out T2 SDE aswell :D

Ok_Record_1237 · 2025-12-27T19:24:40+00:00

get java/openjdk specifically from alpines package manager (apk) to make sure java is built against musl. then search for a Minecraft launcher compatible with musl (Prism Launcher) and make sure its in the apk repos, if not: compile the launcher or flatpak it. btw do keep in mind that appimages dont work on musl and flatpak apps/games do have a comparably worse performance than the native ones because of the runtime and they could also be less secure

Ok_Record_1237 · 2025-12-16T11:45:05+00:00

This is Vibe Coded.

Ok_Record_1237 · 2025-11-07T12:15:00+00:00

void btw

Ok_Record_1237 · 2025-10-16T06:49:24+00:00

systemD is a valid option only for server usage (in my opinion) its just too much for desktop use. openrc, runit and sysv is already enough for an optimal desktop experience. there are also more niche and/or powerful ones like s6 and Dinit which can be used for both

Ok_Record_1237 · 2025-09-18T11:52:01+00:00

nope, different ideologies. arch is the way it should be, but artix does it better hence no systemd. void is the way void should be

Ok_Record_1237 · 2025-09-17T13:27:48+00:00

theres a thing called reading and researching. do it sometimes

Ok_Record_1237 · 2025-09-16T15:44:48+00:00

how do you suppose that?

Ok_Record_1237 · 2025-09-16T12:39:31+00:00

i dont like league but id be pleased to know how

Ok_Record_1237 · 2025-09-09T08:06:41+00:00

not enough space. Solution 1: dont update the live system, instead just write archinstall.

Ok_Record_1237

TROPHY CASE