# NixOS

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q21998874](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21998874)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NixOS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nixos

## Summary
NixOS is a Linux distribution based on the Linux kernel and core GNU components, developed using the Nix package manager. It is notable for its declarative configuration system and reproducible builds, which allow for consistent system states and easy rollbacks. The distribution is licensed under the MIT License and has been in development since 2003.

## Key Facts
- NixOS is a Linux distribution based on the Linux kernel and core GNU components.
- It is licensed under the MIT License, a permissive free software license.
- The distribution was first developed in 2003.
- NixOS uses the Nix package manager, which enables declarative system configurations and reproducible builds.
- The distribution is developed by a community of contributors on GitHub.
- NixOS has released versions from 0.2 (2003) to 25.11 (2025), with releases occurring every six months.
- The distribution is available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Russian.
- NixOS supports platforms such as x86 and ARM64.
- The official website for NixOS is [nixos.org](https://nixos.org/), and the official blog is [nixos.org/blog](https://nixos.org/blog/).
- NixOS is based on the Nix package manager, which was developed by Eelco Dolstra.
- The distribution is used by organizations such as the European Commission and the Netherlands.
- NixOS includes tools like Nushell, a shell focused on structured data, and Taskwarrior, an open-source time and task management tool.
- The distribution supports file systems such as NILFS, a log-structured file system implementation for the Linux kernel.

## FAQs
- What is NixOS, and how does it differ from other Linux distributions?
  NixOS is a Linux distribution that uses the Nix package manager, which enables declarative system configurations and reproducible builds. Unlike traditional Linux distributions, NixOS allows for consistent system states and easy rollbacks, making it particularly suitable for development and deployment environments.

- Who developed NixOS, and when was it first released?
  NixOS was developed by a community of contributors, with the first version (0.2) released on August 25, 2003. The distribution is based on the Nix package manager, which was developed by Eelco Dolstra.

- What license does NixOS use, and what does it allow?
  NixOS is licensed under the MIT License, a permissive free software license. This license allows users to freely use, modify, and distribute the software, as well as to use it in proprietary projects.

- How does NixOS handle system configurations and updates?
  NixOS uses a declarative configuration system, which allows users to define the desired state of their system in a configuration file. This approach enables reproducible builds and easy rollbacks, making it easier to manage system updates and maintain consistency.

- What platforms and architectures does NixOS support?
  NixOS supports platforms such as x86 and ARM64. The distribution is designed to be portable and can be used on a variety of hardware configurations.

- How often are new versions of NixOS released, and what are the latest versions?
  NixOS releases new versions every six months. The latest versions include 25.05 (2025) and 25.11 (2025), with releases occurring in May and November each year.

- What tools and software are included in NixOS, and how do they enhance the distribution?
  NixOS includes tools such as Nushell, a shell focused on structured data, and Taskwarrior, an open-source time and task management tool. These tools enhance the distribution by providing additional functionality and improving the user experience.

- How can users contribute to the development of NixOS?
  Users can contribute to the development of NixOS by participating in the community on GitHub, reporting issues, and submitting pull requests. The distribution is open-source and welcomes contributions from developers and users alike.

## Why It Matters
NixOS is significant in the Linux distribution landscape due to its unique approach to system configuration and package management. The use of the Nix package manager enables declarative system configurations and reproducible builds, which are particularly valuable in development and deployment environments. This approach allows for consistent system states and easy rollbacks, making NixOS a reliable choice for users who require a stable and predictable operating system.

The distribution's focus on reproducibility and consistency also makes it an attractive option for organizations that need to maintain secure and reliable systems. By using NixOS, organizations can ensure that their systems are built and configured in a consistent and reproducible manner, reducing the risk of errors and improving overall system reliability.

Additionally, NixOS's open-source nature and community-driven development model have contributed to its growth and adoption. The distribution is used by organizations such as the European Commission and the Netherlands, demonstrating its relevance and impact in the broader technology ecosystem.

## Notable For
- NixOS is notable for its use of the Nix package manager, which enables declarative system configurations and reproducible builds.
- The distribution is licensed under the MIT License, a permissive free software license that allows for widespread use and modification.
- NixOS has released versions from 0.2 (2003) to 25.11 (2025), with releases occurring every six months.
- The distribution is available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Russian.
- NixOS supports platforms such as x86 and ARM64, making it portable and adaptable to various hardware configurations.
- The official website for NixOS is [nixos.org](https://nixos.org/), and the official blog is [nixos.org/blog](https://nixos.org/blog/).
- NixOS is based on the Nix package manager, which was developed by Eelco Dolstra.
- The distribution is used by organizations such as the European Commission and the Netherlands.
- NixOS includes tools like Nushell, a shell focused on structured data, and Taskwarrior, an open-source time and task management tool.
- The distribution supports file systems such as NILFS, a log-structured file system implementation for the Linux kernel.

## Body
### Overview
NixOS is a Linux distribution based on the Linux kernel and core GNU components. It is notable for its use of the Nix package manager, which enables declarative system configurations and reproducible builds. The distribution is licensed under the MIT License, a permissive free software license that allows for widespread use and modification.

### History
NixOS was first developed in 2003, with the first version (0.2) released on August 25, 2003. The distribution has since released versions from 0.2 to 25.11, with releases occurring every six months. The latest versions include 25.05 (2025) and 25.11 (2025), with releases occurring in May and November each year.

### Development
NixOS is developed by a community of contributors on GitHub. The distribution is based on the Nix package manager, which was developed by Eelco Dolstra. The Nix package manager enables declarative system configurations and reproducible builds, making NixOS a reliable choice for users who require a stable and predictable operating system.

### Features
NixOS includes tools such as Nushell, a shell focused on structured data, and Taskwarrior, an open-source time and task management tool. The distribution also supports file systems such as NILFS, a log-structured file system implementation for the Linux kernel. These tools and features enhance the distribution by providing additional functionality and improving the user experience.

### Platforms and Architectures
NixOS supports platforms such as x86 and ARM64. The distribution is designed to be portable and can be used on a variety of hardware configurations. This makes NixOS an attractive option for users who require a flexible and adaptable operating system.

### Licensing
NixOS is licensed under the MIT License, a permissive free software license. This license allows users to freely use, modify, and distribute the software, as well as to use it in proprietary projects. The permissive nature of the license has contributed to the distribution's widespread adoption and use.

### Community and Contributions
NixOS has a vibrant community of users and developers who contribute to its development and improvement. Users can participate in the community on GitHub, reporting issues, and submitting pull requests. The distribution is open-source and welcomes contributions from developers and users alike.

### Related Projects
NixOS is related to projects such as Athena OS, a security-testing Linux distribution. The distribution is also used by organizations such as the European Commission and the Netherlands, demonstrating its relevance and impact in the broader technology ecosystem.

### Official Resources
The official website for NixOS is [nixos.org](https://nixos.org/), and the official blog is [nixos.org/blog](https://nixos.org/blog/). These resources provide users with information about the distribution, its features, and its latest developments. The official website is available in English, and the official blog is also available in English.

### Language Support
NixOS is available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Russian. This language support makes the distribution accessible to a global audience and enhances the user experience for non-English speakers.

### Notable Achievements
NixOS is notable for its use of the Nix package manager, which enables declarative system configurations and reproducible builds. The distribution is also licensed under the MIT License, a permissive free software license that allows for widespread use and modification. Additionally, NixOS has released versions from 0.2 (2003) to 25.11 (2025), with releases occurring every six months. These achievements demonstrate the distribution's reliability, flexibility, and commitment to innovation.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/blob/master/nixos/COPYING)
2. [Source](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/graphs/contributors)
3. [Release 0.2. 2003](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.2)
4. [Release 0.3. 2003](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.3)
5. [Release 0.4. 2003](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.4)
6. [Release 0.5. 2004](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.5)
7. [Release 0.5.1. 2004](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.5.1)
8. [Release 0.6. 2004](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.6)
9. [Release 0.7. 2005](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.7)
10. [Release 0.8. 2005](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.8)
11. [Release 0.9. 2006](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.9)
12. [Release 0.10. 2006](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.10)
13. [Release 0.11. 2007](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.11)
14. [Release 0.12. 2009](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.12)
15. [Release 0.13. 2010](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.13)
16. [Release 0.14. 2012](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/0.14)
17. [Release 15.09. 2015](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/15.09)
18. [Release 16.03. 2016](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/16.03)
19. [Release 16.09. 2016](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/16.09)
20. [Release 17.03. 2017](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/17.03)
21. [Release 17.09. 2017](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/17.09)
22. [Release 18.03. 2018](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/18.03)
23. [Release 18.09. 2018](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/18.09)
24. [Release 19.03. 2019](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/19.03)
25. [Release 19.09. 2019](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/19.09)
26. [Release 20.03. 2020](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/20.03)
27. [Release 20.09. 2020](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/20.09)
28. [Release 21.05. 2021](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/21.05)
29. [Release 22.05. 2022](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/22.05)
30. [Release 21.11. 2021](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/21.11)
31. [Release 22.11. 2022](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/22.11)
32. [NixOS 22.11 released. 2022](https://nixos.org/blog/announcements/2022/nixos-2211/)
33. [Release 23.05. 2023](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/23.05)
34. [NixOS 23.05 released. 2023](https://nixos.org/blog/announcements/2023/nixos-2305/)
35. [Release 23.11. GitHub. 2023](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/23.11)
36. [NixOS 23.11 released. 2023](https://nixos.org/blog/announcements/2023/nixos-2311/)
37. [Release 24.05-pre. GitHub. 2023](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/24.05-pre)
38. [Release 24.05. GitHub. 2024](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/24.05)
39. [NixOS 24.05 released. 2024](https://nixos.org/blog/announcements/2024/nixos-2405/)
40. [Release 24.11-pre. GitHub. 2024](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/24.11-pre)
41. [2024](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/24.11)
42. [NixOS 24.11 released. 2024](https://nixos.org/blog/announcements/2024/nixos-2411/)
43. [Source](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/25.05-pre)
44. [Release 25.05. 2025](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/25.05)
45. [NixOS 25.05 released. 2025](https://nixos.org/blog/announcements/2025/nixos-2505/)
46. [NixOS 25.11 released. 2025](https://nixos.org/blog/announcements/2025/nixos-2511/)
47. [2025](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/releases/tag/25.11)
48. [Source](https://edolstra.github.io/pubs/iscsd-scm11-final.pdf)
49. [Source](https://github.com/NixOS/foundation/blob/master/by-laws/Oprichtingsakte_NixOsFoundation.nl.pdf)
50. [Source](https://github.com/ecphp/session--nix-at-european-commission--summer-of-nix)