I’m only two days into Nixos, but I don’t think that would be a problem. I am at 14 generations of my system already, and it asks me every boot which generation I want to start. It’s trivial to scroll down and pick an earlier (working) version.
One thing that might be nice would be if that menu indicated how many times each generation had been booted and used for more than 10 min, so I could tell which ones were “real” versions and which were transitional.
If you’re new you might have a bunch of stuff in the store from trying out things. You can also delete objects older than a certain period, which is nice.
I’m not even to the point of trying out alternative software, I’m just trying to get the right configs so I can use the dang thing!
I tried to get screenshots working, and now the system is completely unresponsive, mouse never moves etc. Ok, back to previous version. Between here and working, I’m sure I’ll go through dozens more versions! I’m trying to only make small changes every time.
I saw the garbage collection for old stuff, but I’m still setting things up for the first time especially since I’m trying Wayland and Hyprland for the first time. Every other generation works, probably! I’m really enjoying the process, except that I need this computer and the downtime is a problem.
Do you know a way to delete either all generations except the current, or maybe the current ly booted one and the one previous to it? (Not the latest one explicitly as I keep breaking things)
I’m only two days into Nixos, but I don’t think that would be a problem. I am at 14 generations of my system already, and it asks me every boot which generation I want to start. It’s trivial to scroll down and pick an earlier (working) version.
One thing that might be nice would be if that menu indicated how many times each generation had been booted and used for more than 10 min, so I could tell which ones were “real” versions and which were transitional.
It helps to run the garbage collector and clean out the Nix store. Once you get a stable version that works, clear your nix store.
See this built in helper script
If you’re new you might have a bunch of stuff in the store from trying out things. You can also delete objects older than a certain period, which is nice.
I’m not even to the point of trying out alternative software, I’m just trying to get the right configs so I can use the dang thing!
I tried to get screenshots working, and now the system is completely unresponsive, mouse never moves etc. Ok, back to previous version. Between here and working, I’m sure I’ll go through dozens more versions! I’m trying to only make small changes every time.
I saw the garbage collection for old stuff, but I’m still setting things up for the first time especially since I’m trying Wayland and Hyprland for the first time. Every other generation works, probably! I’m really enjoying the process, except that I need this computer and the downtime is a problem.
Do you know a way to delete either all generations except the current, or maybe the current ly booted one and the one previous to it? (Not the latest one explicitly as I keep breaking things)
Without flakes
For those cool enough to use flakes
I don’t have the command at hand but you can name versions.
Ooh that’s handy.
NIXOS_LABEL=“changed-some-settings” nixos-rebuild switch
Also, since you’re already 14 versions deep you should probably implement automatic “garbage collection”.
Will do. I’m worried about deleting the one good version while I’m still building the system.
Enjoy :)