Installation

System Requirements

Nix4Loong requires your Loongson processor to meet at minimum the -march=la64v1.0 features from the Toolchain Conventions of the LoongArch™ Architecture , including:

• 64-bit LoongArch architecture
• 64-bit floating-point unit (fpu64)
• Loongson SIMD eXtension (lsx) support

Compatible processors include: 3A5000, 3C5000 series, 3A6000, 3B6000 series, 3C6000 series, 2K3000, and others.

Incompatible processors include: 2K0300 and MIPS-based Loongson processors like 3A4000.

Nix

The Nix package manager runs on mainstream LoongArch Linux distributions like AOSC OS and Arch Linux for Loong64. Your system must use new-world LoongArch .

We recommend using our modified Nix installer based on NixOS/experimental-nix-installer . It automatically configures Nix to use our binary cache, eliminating local package compilation. Use this script to download and run the installer with system checks:

curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf -L https://install.nix4loong.cn | sh -s -- install

Alternatively, you can manually download the Nix installer:

curl -sL -o nix-installer https://download.nix4loong.cn/nix-installer/latest/nix-installer-loongarch64-linux
chmod +x nix-installer
./nix-installer install

You can refer to the Nix4Loong GitHub repository  and the NixOS/experimental-nix-installer repository  for more usage help and additional information.

NixOS

NixOS is a Linux distribution built on Nix. Unlike traditional distributions, NixOS manages your entire system – from kernel parameters to user environments – through Nix’s declarative configuration. For NixOS installation, you need new-world LoongArch  compatibility and UEFI boot support. Most recent Loongson devices (including XA61201 motherboards) meet these requirements. We offer two installation images:

Graphical Installation Image

The graphical image includes desktop applications and a graphical NixOS installer with multiple desktop environment options. It doubles as a Live CD for trying NixOS and Nix.

Minimal Installation Image

The minimal image has no graphical interface and smaller size, requiring command-line installation. See the NixOS Installation Guide .

In-place Install on an Existing System

If booting from an installation image is inconvenient (for example, on a remote VPS), you can use nix4loong-infect  to convert a running LoongArch Linux host in place (AOSC OS, Arch Linux for Loong64, etc.) into NixOS. It is a LoongArch port of elitak/nixos-infect , preconfigured to use the Nix4Loong installer, Nix channel, and binary cache.

Feedback and Suggestions

For installation issues or suggestions, see Contributing.