# Nix package manager cheatsheet

## Search for packages

```sh
nix search nixpkgs python
```

## Add packages to current shell

```sh
# single package
nix shell nixpkgs#python3

# multiple packages
nix shell nixpkgs#python3 nixpkgs#nodejs
```

## Run a command directly

```sh
nix run nixpkgs#python3 -- --version
```

## Install packages persistently (available in new SSH sessions)

```sh
# nix shell packages are lost when the session ends
# use profile install to persist across sessions
# packages use the nixpkgs# prefix
nix profile install nixpkgs#nodejs nixpkgs#pnpm nixpkgs#yarn
```

## Language stacks

| Stack | Packages |
|-------|----------|
| Node.js | `nodejs`, `pnpm`, `yarn` |
| Python | `python3`, `python3Packages.pip`, `python3Packages.virtualenv`, `uv` |
| Go | `go` |
| Rust | `cargo`, `rustc`, `rustfmt`, `clippy` |
| Foundry | `foundry` |