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nixos/docs/flake-lock-automation.md
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# flake.lock automation
This repository uses CI workflows to keep `flake.lock` up to date on a schedule
and to verify that declared NixOS hosts still evaluate after dependency updates.
## What this automation does
- A scheduled workflow runs `nix flake update` once per week.
- On GitHub, any resulting `flake.lock` change is proposed through a pull request.
- On Gitea, the workflow can commit and push `flake.lock` directly when PR automation is not configured.
- A separate CI workflow evaluates every configured host before merge:
- `nixos`
- `docker`
- `kuma`
- `server`
- `nix-cache`
- `nix-minimal`
- `pxe-boot`
## Why hosts should stop using `--upgrade-all`
`flake.lock` is the source of truth for pinned dependency versions in a flake-based workflow. Normal host rebuilds should consume the committed lock file instead of upgrading dependencies ad-hoc on each machine.
Recommended rebuild command:
```bash
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake git+https://gitea.lan.ddnsgeek.com/beatzaplenty/nixos.git#$(hostname)
```
Using the committed lock file keeps all hosts aligned and makes updates auditable through CI and code review.
Codex and automated review sessions must not run rebuilds. Limit checks to
evaluation, linting, formatting, and dry-run builds.
## Command differences
- `nix flake update`
- Updates flake input pins in `flake.lock`.
- Should be run in CI or in a dedicated update PR workflow.
- `nixos-rebuild --upgrade`
- Primarily for channel-based workflows; not the normal path for flake-pinned deployments.
- `nixos-rebuild --upgrade-all`
- Aggressively updates package sources and bypasses coordinated lock-file updates.
- Avoid for routine flake-based host rebuilds.
## nix-cache and remote builder fit
With `nix-cache` acting as a binary cache and remote builder, lock-file updates become safer and more reproducible:
- CI verifies host evaluations against the updated lock file.
- Builds can be performed once on the remote builder.
- Built artifacts can be served via `nix-cache` to other hosts, reducing rebuild time and drift.
## Token and secret handling
Do **not** commit access tokens into `flake.nix`, `flake.lock`, or any other tracked file.
If private source access is needed:
- configure tokens locally in `~/.config/nix/nix.conf` or equivalent machine-local config, or
- provide tokens through CI secrets/environment variables.
## GitHub Actions setup notes
- Ensure `GITHUB_TOKEN` has permission to create branches and pull requests (workflow sets `contents: write` and `pull-requests: write`).
- The update workflow uses `peter-evans/create-pull-request` with branch `chore/update-flake-lock`.
- The evaluation workflow runs on pull requests, pushes to `main`, and manual dispatch.
## Gitea Actions runner setup notes
- Ensure the runner image includes Git and can execute the Nix installer action.
- For direct push mode, grant workflow push permission to the repository.
- The workflow sets commit identity to:
- `user.name = gitea-actions`
- `user.email = gitea-actions@nix-cache.local`
- Commits are only created when `flake.lock` actually changes.