nix-migrate

name	nix-migrate
description	Migrate existing environment (dotfiles, packages, configs) to Nix/Home Manager. Comprehensive analysis and step-by-step migration.

Nix Migration Skill

1. Ask Approach

Use AskUserQuestion:

• Auto-scan - Scan environment and suggest migration
• Specify - User provides files/packages

2. Scan Environment

Config Files

Scan ~/.* and ~/.config/, skip ~/.local/state/, ~/.cache/.

Find non-Nix files (not symlinked to /nix/store/).

Classify:

• Structured (.toml, .yaml, .json) → migratable
• Binary → skip
• Permission 600 → credentials, warn

Packages

List explicitly installed (not deps):

Manager	Command
apt	apt-mark showmanual
brew	brew list --installed-on-request
pacman	pacman -Qe
cargo	cargo install --list
npm	npm list -g --depth=0
pip	pip list --not-required
nix-env	nix-env -q (migrate these!)

3. Categorize & Recommend

Configs

Has HM module?	Frequently edited?	→ Use
Yes	-	programs.*
No	No	xdg.configFile
No	Yes	mkOutOfStoreSymlink

Search modules: https://home-manager-options.extranix.com/

Packages

Type	→ Use
CLI tools	home.packages
Configurable (git, zsh)	programs.*
Language runtimes	mise
GUI apps (macOS)	Homebrew Cask
System services	Keep native or NixOS module

4. Present Findings

## Migrate to programs.*
- ~/.gitconfig → programs.git

## Migrate to home.packages
- ripgrep (apt) → pkgs.ripgrep

## Use mkOutOfStoreSymlink
- ~/.config/nvim (frequently edited)

## Skip
- ~/.config/gh/hosts.yml (credentials)

## Keep as-is
- docker (system service)

5. Create Plan & Execute

1. Use EnterPlanMode for approval
2. Create .nix files
3. nix run .#fmt
4. Test: home-manager build
5. Apply: home-manager switch