Nix

This install path is advanced and not part of the primary support path. Use Docker or Podman for a fully supported setup.

The recommended way to run gensparx with Nix is via nix-gensparx — a batteries-included Home Manager module.

Quick Start

Paste this to your AI agent (Claude, Cursor, etc.):

I want to set up nix-gensparx on my Mac.
Repository: github:gensparx/nix-gensparx

What I need you to do:
1. Check if Determinate Nix is installed (if not, install it)
2. Create a local flake at ~/code/gensparx-local using templates/agent-first/flake.nix
3. Help me create a Telegram bot (@BotFather) and get my chat ID (@userinfobot)
4. Set up secrets (bot token, model provider API key) - plain files at ~/.secrets/ is fine
5. Fill in the template placeholders and run home-manager switch
6. Verify: launchd running, bot responds to messages

Reference the nix-gensparx README for module options.

📦 Full guide: github.com/gensparx/nix-gensparx The nix-gensparx repo is the source of truth for Nix installation. This page is just a quick overview.

What you get

Gateway + macOS app + tools (whisper, spotify, cameras) — all pinned
Launchd service that survives reboots
Plugin system with declarative config
Instant rollback: home-manager switch --rollback

Nix Mode Runtime Behavior

When GENSPARX_NIX_MODE=1 is set (automatic with nix-gensparx): gensparx supports a Nix mode that makes configuration deterministic and disables auto-install flows. Enable it by exporting:

GENSPARX_NIX_MODE=1

On macOS, the GUI app does not automatically inherit shell env vars. You can also enable Nix mode via defaults:

defaults write ai.gensparx.mac gensparx.nixMode -bool true

Config + state paths

gensparx reads JSON5 config from GENSPARX_CONFIG_PATH and stores mutable data in GENSPARX_STATE_DIR. When needed, you can also set GENSPARX_HOME to control the base home directory used for internal path resolution.

GENSPARX_HOME (default precedence: HOME / USERPROFILE / os.homedir())
GENSPARX_STATE_DIR (default: ~/.gensparx)
GENSPARX_CONFIG_PATH (default: $GENSPARX_STATE_DIR/gensparx.json)

When running under Nix, set these explicitly to Nix-managed locations so runtime state and config stay out of the immutable store.

Runtime behavior in Nix mode

Auto-install and self-mutation flows are disabled
Missing dependencies surface Nix-specific remediation messages
UI surfaces a read-only Nix mode banner when present

Packaging note (macOS)

The macOS packaging flow expects a stable Info.plist template at:

apps/macos/Sources/Gensparx/Resources/Info.plist

scripts/package-mac-app.sh copies this template into the app bundle and patches dynamic fields (bundle ID, version/build, Git SHA, Sparkle keys). This keeps the plist deterministic for SwiftPM packaging and Nix builds (which do not rely on a full Xcode toolchain).

nix-gensparx — full setup guide
Wizard — non-Nix CLI setup
Docker — containerized setup

Install overview

Install methods

Maintenance

Advanced

Quick Start

What you get

Nix Mode Runtime Behavior

Config + state paths

Runtime behavior in Nix mode

Packaging note (macOS)

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​Quick Start

​What you get

​Nix Mode Runtime Behavior

​Config + state paths

​Runtime behavior in Nix mode

​Packaging note (macOS)

​Related

Quick Start

What you get

Nix Mode Runtime Behavior

Config + state paths

Runtime behavior in Nix mode

Packaging note (macOS)

Related