| name | skill-nix-implementation |
| description | Implement Nix configuration changes from plans. Invoke for nix implementation tasks. |
| allowed-tools | Agent, Bash, Edit, Read, Write |
Nix Implementation Skill
Thin wrapper that delegates Nix configuration implementation to nix-implementation-agent subagent.
Trigger Conditions
This skill activates when:
- Task type is "nix"
- /implement command targets a Nix task
- NixOS modules, Home Manager configs, or flake changes need to be created using Nix
Execution Flow
Stage 1: Input Validation
Validate task_number exists, task_type is "nix", and an implementation plan is present.
Stage 2: Preflight Status Update
Update status to "implementing" BEFORE invoking subagent.
Stage 3: Prepare Delegation Context
Domain-specific context for the nix-implementation-agent:
- Nix style guide from
.claude/extensions/nix/context/
- MCP-NixOS for package/option validation (when available)
- Verification:
nix flake check, nixos-rebuild build --flake .#hostname
{
"session_id": "sess_{timestamp}_{random}",
"delegation_depth": 1,
"delegation_path": ["orchestrator", "implement", "skill-nix-implementation"],
"timeout": 7200,
"task_context": {
"task_number": N,
"task_name": "{project_name}",
"description": "{description}",
"task_type": "nix"
},
"plan_path": "specs/{NNN}_{SLUG}/plans/MM_{short-slug}.md",
"metadata_file_path": "specs/{NNN}_{SLUG}/.return-meta.json"
}
Stage 4: Invoke Subagent
Use Agent tool with subagent_type: "nix-implementation-agent".
Stage 4b: Self-Execution Fallback
CRITICAL: If you performed the work above WITHOUT using the Agent tool (i.e., you read files,
wrote artifacts, or updated metadata directly instead of spawning a subagent), you MUST write a
.return-meta.json file now before proceeding to postflight. Use the schema from
return-metadata-file.md with the appropriate status value for this operation.
If you DID use the Agent tool, skip this stage -- the subagent already wrote the metadata.
Postflight (ALWAYS EXECUTE)
The following stages MUST execute after work is complete, whether the work was done by a
subagent or inline (Stage 4b). Do NOT skip these stages for any reason.
Stage 5: Parse Subagent Return
Read the metadata file from specs/{N}_{SLUG}/.return-meta.json.
Stage 6: Update Task Status (Postflight)
Update state.json and TODO.md based on result.
Stage 7: Link Artifacts
Add artifact to state.json with summary. Update TODO.md per @.claude/context/patterns/artifact-linking-todo.md with field_name=**Summary**, next_field=**Description**.
Stage 8: Git Commit
Commit changes with session ID.
Stage 9: Return Brief Summary
MUST NOT (Postflight Boundary)
After the agent returns, this skill MUST NOT:
- Edit .nix files - All Nix config work is done by agent
- Run nix flake check - Verification is done by agent
- Analyze or grep source - Analysis is agent work
- Write summary/reports - Artifact creation is agent work
PROHIBITION: If the subagent returned partial or failed status, the lead skill MUST NOT attempt to continue, complete, or "fill in" the subagent's work. Report the partial/failed status and let the user re-run /implement to resume.
The postflight phase is LIMITED TO:
- Reading agent metadata file
- Updating state.json via jq
- Updating TODO.md status marker via Edit
- Linking artifacts in state.json
- Git commit
- Cleanup of temp/marker files
Reference: @.claude/context/standards/postflight-tool-restrictions.md
Return Format
Brief text summary (NOT JSON).