# NixBox
A NixOS TUI package manager. Search a nixpkgs channel, pick a package, and NixBox writes it into your flake/home-manager config and runs the rebuild — all without leaving the terminal.
## What it does
- Live search against `nix search --json` over a configurable flake input (default `nixpkgs`).
- Maintains a managed file (`nixbox-packages.nix`) in your NixOS config dir. NixBox owns this file end-to-end; it never edits hand-written config.
- On select, appends the package, writes the file, then runs `home-manager switch` or `sudo nixos-rebuild switch` and streams the output into the TUI.
- Toggle target (home-manager / nixos) with `Tab`. Setting persists in `~/.config/nixbox/settings.json`.
## Wiring the managed file
Add a single import to your existing config so NixBox's file is picked up.
For **home-manager** (`~/.config/nixos/home.nix` or wherever your home config lives):
```nix
{
imports = [ ./nixbox-packages.nix ];
}
```
For **NixOS system** (`/etc/nixos/configuration.nix`):
```nix
{
imports = [ ./nixbox-packages.nix ];
}
```
After that, NixBox manages the package list inside `nixbox-packages.nix` between the `# nixbox:packages:start` / `# nixbox:packages:end` markers. Adjust nothing else in the file.
## Build
```sh
nix build # via the flake
# or
cargo build --release
```
## Run
```sh
nix run # via the flake
# or
just run # needs just installed
```
## Layout
Cargo workspace:
- `crates/nixbox` — binary entrypoint
- `crates/nixbox-tui` — ratatui app, search/build views
- `crates/nixbox-nix` — `nix search` wrapper, managed file writer, rebuild runner
- `crates/nixbox-config` — persisted user settings (channel, target, paths)
## Keys
| type | search |
| ↑ / ↓ | move selection |
| Enter | install selected |
| Tab | toggle home-manager / nixos |
| Esc / ^C | quit |
| q | leave build view |