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Observations

We're currently showing patterns like

pkgs = import nixpkgs { config = {}; overlays = []; system = builtins.currentSystem; };

as a defensive measure against historical, impure interfaces that may mess with your expression if you happened to follow the ancient documentation on configuring Nixpkgs.

Problem

Dismantling the Nixpkgs manual is a big chunk of work, and in any case that wouldn't remove the convenient-looking but foot-gunny impure interface which is used absolutely everywhere.

Approaches

Until https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues/339635 is settled, we can only show the ugly but technically correct

pkgs = import "${nixpkgs}/pkgs/top-level" { localSystem.system = builtins.currentSystem; };

and may eventually please today's new users with a future release that makes the interface less verbose. This would require replacing all instances where we use it, and updating the relevant best practices section.

Willing to help?

As always.

Priorities

Add :+1: to issues you find important.