openclaw/docs/install/nix.md

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Install OpenClaw declaratively with Nix	You want reproducible, rollback-able installs You're already using Nix/NixOS/Home Manager You want everything pinned and managed declaratively	Nix

Nix Installation

Install OpenClaw declaratively with nix-openclaw -- a batteries-included Home Manager module.

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

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

If Nix is not already installed, follow the [Determinate Nix installer](https://github.com/DeterminateSystems/nix-installer) instructions. Use the agent-first template from the nix-openclaw repo: ```bash mkdir -p ~/code/openclaw-local # Copy templates/agent-first/flake.nix from the nix-openclaw repo ``` Set up your messaging bot token and model provider API key. Plain files at `~/.secrets/` work fine. ```bash home-manager switch ``` Confirm the launchd service is running and your bot responds to messages.

See the nix-openclaw README for full module options and examples.

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.

You can also set it manually:

export OPENCLAW_NIX_MODE=1

On macOS, the GUI app does not automatically inherit shell environment variables. Enable Nix mode via defaults instead:

defaults write ai.openclaw.mac openclaw.nixMode -bool true

What changes in Nix mode

• Auto-install and self-mutation flows are disabled
• Missing dependencies surface Nix-specific remediation messages
• UI surfaces a read-only Nix mode banner

Config and state paths

OpenClaw reads JSON5 config from OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH and stores mutable data in OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR. When running under Nix, set these explicitly to Nix-managed locations so runtime state and config stay out of the immutable store.

Variable	Default
OPENCLAW_HOME	HOME / USERPROFILE / os.homedir()
OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR	~/.openclaw
OPENCLAW_CONFIG_PATH	$OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR/openclaw.json

Related

• nix-openclaw -- full setup guide
• Wizard -- non-Nix CLI setup
• Docker -- containerized setup