---
title:  "Installing Lix"
description: "or: how to make your configuration Delicious"
date: "2024-04-27"
author: "Lix Team"
---

Whether you're a new or returning user, **we're thrilled you've decided to pick up Lix!**

Lix works out-of-the-box on most Linux and MacOS systems, including with system management tools
such as [home-manager](https://github.com/nix-community/home-manager) and 
[nix-darwin](https://github.com/LnL7/nix-darwin) -- but, like any Nix-based system, some Nix background
knowledge is recommended before installation.

If you're new to the Nix ecosystem, you may want to check out some [community resources](/resources)
first, to get familiar with how Nix works.


## On NixOS

If you haven't already installed NixOS, do so using any upstream 
[install image](https://nixos.org/download/#NixOS) and the instructions in the 
[NixOS Manual](https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/#sec-installation). Then, follow 
the instructions for either:

- [flake-based configurations](/add-to-config#flake-based-configurations); or
- [non-flake configurations](/add-to-config#non-flake-configurations)

depending on how you prefer to configure your system.


## On an Existing `nix-darwin` Install

If you already have a [nix-darwin](https://github.com/LnL7/nix-darwin) installation, you
can use the same instructions as installing on a NixOS-based system. Follow the instructions
for either:

- [flake-based configurations](/add-to-config#flake-based-configurations); or
- [non-flake configurations](/add-to-config#non-flake-configurations)

depending on how you prefer to configure your system.


## On Any Other Linux/MacOS System

You can either perform a **new install**, or choose to 
**upgrade an existing install** to Lix.

### New Installs

The easiest way to install Lix is to use the [Lix Installer](https://git.lix.systems/lix-project/lix-installer)[^1].
Open a terminal, and run the following command:

```sh
curl -sSf -L https://install.lix.systems/lix | sh -s -- install
```

The installer will guide you through installing Lix -- and once it's finished, 
you'll have a full, working installation. If you're not sure what to do, now is a
great time to check out some of the [community's resources on Nix](/resources).

[^1]: a customized variant of the [Determinate Nix Installer](https://github.com/DeterminateSystems/nix-installer).

### Existing Installs

If you have an existing Nix installation, you should be able to upgrade by using a variant
of the `upgrade-nix` command.

Thanks to Nix, we can actually ask Lix to upgrade your system directly. Run the following command:

```sh
sudo nix run \
     --experimental-features "nix-command flakes" \
     --extra-substituters https://cache.lix.systems \
     --trusted-public-keys "cache.nixos.org-1:6NCHdD59X431o0gWypbMrAURkbJ16ZPMQFGspcDShjY= cache.lix.systems:aBnZUw8zA7H35Cz2RyKFVs3H4PlGTLawyY5KRbvJR8o=" \
     'git+https://git@git.lix.systems/lix-project/lix?ref=refs/tags/2.90-beta.1' -- \
     upgrade-nix
```

You should now have upgraded to Lix! You can verify this by asking the `nix` command
to report its version:

```sh
$ nix --version
nix (Lix, like Nix) 2.90.0-beta.1
```

As long as you see `Lix` in the output, you're good! If you're not sure what to do now, it's a
great time to check out some of the [community's resources on Nix](/resources).

## Having Trouble?

If you're having difficulty installing Lix, don't panic! Hop on over to our
[community page](/community), and check out the various ways to find help.

## Feedback?

If you have thoughts on these instructions, feel free to drop by our [community](/community),
or to [make a pull request to our website](git@git.lix.systems:lix-project/lix-website.git)!