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The fastest way to discover & install Nixpkgs, Home manager options

Search, explore, and copy install commands in seconds — all from your terminal

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Why ns-tui?

Stop switching between browser tabs and terminal windows. ns-tui brings the entire NixOS package ecosystem to your fingertips with:

• Instant fuzzy search — typos? No problem. "lezygit" finds "lazygit"
• Zero context switching — search, explore, and install without leaving your terminal
• Vim keybindings — navigate like a pro with familiar j/k motions
• One-click copying — choose from 4 install methods, hit Enter, done
• Beautiful UI — Catppuccin theme that's easy on the eyes
• Blazing fast — real-time results powered by official NixOS search

Quick Start

Option 1: Download Pre-built Binary (Easiest)

Download the latest release for your platform from GitHub Releases:

Option 2: Install with Go

go install github.com/briheet/ns-tui/cmd/ns-tui@latest

Option 3: Run with Nix

nix run github:briheet/ns-tui

Then just run:

ns-tui

That's it. Start typing to search, press ? for help.

How to use

1. Type to search packages (fuzzy matching enabled)
2. Navigate with j/k or arrow keys
3. Press Enter or Space to view package details
4. Tab through install methods
5. Space/Enter to copy the command

Pro tip: Press ? anytime for the complete keybindings guide.

Perfect for

• NixOS beginners who want to discover packages easily
• Power users who prefer terminal workflows
• Anyone tired of slow browser-based package search
• Developers who value speed and efficiency

Installation Methods

Pre-built Binaries (recommended)

Download from GitHub Releases for your platform:

Available for:

• Linux (amd64, arm64)
• macOS (amd64, arm64)
• Windows (amd64, arm64)

# Example for macOS arm64
curl -LO https://github.com/briheet/ns-tui/releases/latest/download/ns-tui_<version>_darwin_arm64.tar.gz
tar -xzf ns-tui_<version>_darwin_arm64.tar.gz
sudo mv ns-tui /usr/local/bin/

Via Go Install

go install github.com/briheet/ns-tui/cmd/ns-tui@latest

Make sure $GOPATH/bin is in your $PATH.

With Nix Flakes

# Run directly
nix run github:briheet/ns-tui

# Or build locally
nix build

From Source

git clone https://github.com/briheet/ns-tui.git
cd ns-tui
go build -o bin/ns-tui ./cmd/ns-tui

Features at a Glance

Feature	Description
Fuzzy Search	Smart search that handles typos and partial matches
Rich Details	See version, description, programs, and platform support
Vim Bindings	Modal interface (Insert/Normal/Detail modes)
Live Feedback	Toast notifications, loading spinners, package counters
4 Install Methods	nix-shell, NixOS config, nix-env, nix profile
Official Data	Powered by search.nixos.org backend
Responsive	Adapts to your terminal size

License

MIT License - see LICENSE for details.

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