Editing and Nix tools

Open Nix source#

Open a project containing flake.nix, default.nix, or other .nix files. Native parsing supplies structure, highlighting, bracket/quote handling, local completion, and focused editor fixes even before the language server starts.

Choose nixd, nil, or Devenv in settings and verify its startup through LSP4IJ. Use completion and quick documentation on a known package or option. Configure workspace-specific nixd expressions when resolving NixOS or Home Manager options.

Diagnose and format#

Enable Statix and Deadnix only after installing the tools. Review a diagnostic, inspect the proposed quick fix, and apply it to a small example before running changes across the project. Use the selected formatter manually before enabling format on save.

Search packages#

Use the plugin’s Nix package search to inspect results from search.nixos.org. Choose to open documentation, copy an install command, or insert a pkgs.<attr> reference into source. A package installation action invokes nix profile install; review the target profile and package before executing it.

Keep source changes distinct from profile changes. Editing a flake or adding an attribute reference does not itself install that package into the active environment.