Skip to main content

Using Nix with Replit

Replit supports all programming languages through integration with Nix. Nix is a tool for managing software packages and system configurations.

All Nix Repls have a replit.nix configuration file. To access this file, click the three dots on the file tree and select Show hidden files.

Installation​

To use a specific Nix package in your Repl, find the package on the Nix foundation and it to your replit.nix file.

NodeJS 19​

In some cases, some packages on NPM may require a newer version of NodeJS to run. To install a newer version, search to confirm that it exists on Nix.

Finding NodeJS on Nix

In this case, we will use nodejs-19_x. Click on the package name to expand it.

Expanded nix package

Under How to install _nodejs-19_x, switch to the NixOS Configuration tab. Highlighted in blue is what you will paste into your replit.nix file. Listed under Programs provided are the new bash commands that will be available once the package is installed.

Installation instructions

Replace pkgs.nodejs-18_x in your existing replit.nix file to the new package. After your shell is reloaded, the NodeJS version will be updated to v19.

{ pkgs }: {
    deps = [
        pkgs.nodejs-19_x
    pkgs.nodePackages.typescript-language-server
    pkgs.yarn
    pkgs.replitPackages.jest
    ];
}

OpenRA​

You can play the classic game Command and Conquer Red Alert by installing the openra package from Nix.

{ pkgs }: {
  deps = [
    pkgs.openra
  ];
}

To start the game, run openra in the shell, or set that as your Repl's run command.

Python & NodeJS​

Some packages such as node-gyp require Python in order to run.

Python Repls require a special Nix configuration due to its vast amount of abilities. Simply insert the desired NodeJS Nix package in the deps section of the replit.nix file, maintaining the original configuration of the python nix file.

{ pkgs }: {
  deps = [
    pkgs.nodejs-19_x
    pkgs.python310Full
    pkgs.replitPackages.prybar-python310
    pkgs.replitPackages.stderred
  ];
  env = {
    PYTHON_LD_LIBRARY_PATH = pkgs.lib.makeLibraryPath [
      # Needed for pandas / numpy
      pkgs.stdenv.cc.cc.lib
      pkgs.zlib
      # Needed for pygame
      pkgs.glib
      # Needed for matplotlib
      pkgs.xorg.libX11
    ];
    PYTHONHOME = "${pkgs.python310Full}";
    PYTHONBIN = "${pkgs.python310Full}/bin/python3.10";
    LANG = "en_US.UTF-8";
    STDERREDBIN = "${pkgs.replitPackages.stderred}/bin/stderred";
    PRYBAR_PYTHON_BIN = "${pkgs.replitPackages.prybar-python310}/bin/prybar-python310";
  };
}

Switch the Nix Channel​

You can switch the Nix Channel in your Repl by editing the [nix] entry in your .replit file.

Unstable Packages​

In some cases, a Nix package can be labeled as broken or insecure, not be suitable for the current platform, or not have a free licence. Nix will not install a package under any of these circumstances.

To allow for the installation of such packages, navigate into the .config folder > nixpkgs/config.nix, and then set it to the following. If you do not see the .config folder, click the three dots on the file tree and select Show hidden files.

{
  allowUnfree = true;
}