Command line: Niv

niv is a template generator for a quick start of creating a Nix environment with full reproducibility. It allows for a quick configuration of where to pin certain package sets (e.g., nixpkgs, NUR, your own package set) with a command line program.

• niv init

• Configuring your pins with niv show $SOURCE and editing nix/sources.json generated from niv init.

• Using it by importing from your Nix files (e.g., default.nix, shell.nix).

You can also update the pins with niv update $SOURCE and you don't have to manually look into the repo for updating the pins. Though, Nix flakes are still the more attractive options IMO.

If you're looking to update the official channels, you can take a peek at status.nixos.org.