title: "Nix"

---

# Nix Installation

Install OpenClaw declaratively with **[nix-openclaw](https://github.com/openclaw/nix-openclaw)** -- a batteries-included Home Manager module.

Install OpenClaw declaratively with **[nix-openclaw](https://github.com/openclaw/nix-openclaw)** — a batteries-included Home Manager module.

<Info>

The [nix-openclaw](https://github.com/openclaw/nix-openclaw) repo is the source of truth for Nix installation. This page is a quick overview.

</Info>

## What You Get

## 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`

## Quick Start

## Quick start

<Steps>

<Step title="Install Determinate Nix">

See the [nix-openclaw README](https://github.com/openclaw/nix-openclaw) for full module options and examples.

## Nix Mode Runtime Behavior

## Nix-mode runtime behavior

When `OPENCLAW_NIX_MODE=1` is set (automatic with nix-openclaw), OpenClaw enters a deterministic mode that disables auto-install flows.

| `OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR` | `~/.openclaw` |

| `OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH` | `$OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR/openclaw.json` |

### Service PATH discovery

The launchd/systemd gateway service auto-discovers Nix-profile binaries so

plugins and tools that shell out to `nix`-installed executables work without

manual PATH setup:

- When `NIX_PROFILES` is set, every entry is added to the service PATH in

right-to-left precedence (matches Nix shell precedence — rightmost wins).

- When `NIX_PROFILES` is unset, `~/.nix-profile/bin` is added as a fallback.

This applies to both macOS launchd and Linux systemd service environments.

## Related

- [nix-openclaw](https://github.com/openclaw/nix-openclaw) -- full setup guide