Nøughty Linux explores a practical question: Can we combine Ubuntu Server’s stable foundation with Nixpkgs’ vast, always-current software library without the complexity of NixOS?
This Skunkworks project utilizes systemd and Home Manager to layer Nix on top of Ubuntu Server, providing enthusiasts with access to cutting-edge applications and desktop environments while leveraging Ubuntu’s hardware compatibility. Users start with a standard Ubuntu Server installation, run a bootstrap command, and reboot into a fully-themed Wayland desktop—all configured via a straightforward TOML file that requires no Nix knowledge.
In this talk, we’ll explore:
• The hybrid architecture: How we defined the Ubuntu system boundary handling hardware, drivers, and system services, while Nix provides desktop and applications.
• Practical trade-offs: What works well, what doesn’t, and the challenges we encountered.
• Unconventional choices: Why we moved graphical sessions to VT9 and gave VT1-8 to console workspaces.
• Dynamic theming: System-wide Catppuccin themes from GRUB to desktop shell.
• Abstraction layer: TOML configuration that hides Nix complexity while preserving its power.
Whether you’re frustrated by outdated packages in stable releases, curious about Nix without committing to NixOS, or just interested in alternative approaches to desktop Linux, this talk demonstrates one way to get the best of both worlds.
Live demo included
Speaker(s) bio
Long-time Linux user, developer, and community builder Flake wrangler Maker Aspiring game developer Linux Matters podcast presenter
Questions about this session? Please reply to this topic, top questions may be featured during the live event!
Does playing around with nix tools and apps require a fresh install only or can we use the nix apps along with our regular daily use Ubuntu desktop as well?
i.e. the way Ghostty runs can work on regular ubuntu as another application
As someone who is running a somewhat similar setup - codename Nixbuntu (home-manager based sway desktop manager over Kubuntu 24.04),
I’m curious if you’ve ever encountered (and maybe solved) the problem with locking/unlocking the screen using nixpkgs swaylock
Are you saying there were no “presentation” files associated with the talk, which could be kept separately for making our own “mark-up” with annotations the “old-school” way, namely print and scribble?
I may not be the brightest Ubuntu bulb on the tree but I downloaded and installed the newest version of Nix that I could find. Simply put, I don’t see the correlation between Nix which had a immature and childish appearance compared to Ubuntu’s sophistication. I will have to admit that Nix’s installer had some abilities and offerings that made the actual install simple for the user, such as a automatic (with user permission) partition resizing. The actual install seemed to me to be less problematic. I didn’t research any of the apps though. I have six laptops running Ubuntu and I didn’t see anything in the perhaps Nix newbie experience that trumps Ubuntu.
Talk - (25 minutes)
Flake wrangler 
Maker 
Aspiring game developer 
Linux Matters podcast presenter 
Questions about this session? Please reply to this topic, top questions may be featured during the live event!
