nix-tree

# nix-tree

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Interactively browse dependency graphs of Nix derivations.

[![asciicast](https://asciinema.org/a/cnilbmPXW51g97hdNJZcM5F6h.svg)](https://asciinema.org/a/cnilbmPXW51g97hdNJZcM5F6h)

## Installation

`nix-tree` is on `nixpkgs` since `20.09`, so just use your preferred method for adding packages to your system, eg:

```
nix-env -iA nix-tree
```

Or, for flake enabled systems:

```
nix profile install 'nixpkgs#nix-tree'
```

To run the current development version:

```
nix run github:utdemir/nix-tree -- --help
```

## Usage

```console
$ nix-tree --help
Usage: nix-tree [INSTALLABLE] [--store STORE] [--file FILE] [--version] [--derivation] [--impure] [--dot]

  Interactively browse dependency graphs of Nix derivations.

Available options:
  INSTALLABLE              A store path or a flake reference.
                           Paths default to "~/.nix-profile" and "/var/run/current-system"
  --store STORE            The URL of the Nix store, e.g. "daemon" or "https://cache.nixos.org"
                           See "nix help-stores" for supported store types and settings.
  --file FILE              Interpret installables as attribute paths relative to the Nix expression stored in file.
  --version                Show the nix-tree version
  --derivation             Operate on the store derivation rather than its outputs
  --impure                 Allow access to mutable paths and repositories
  --dot                    Print the dependency graph in dot format
  -h,--help                Show this help text

Keybindings:
  hjkl/Arrow Keys : Navigate
  w               : Open why-depends modal
  /               : Open search modal
  s               : Change sort order
  y               : Yank selected path to clipboard
  ?               : Show help
  q/Esc           : Quit / close modal
```

### Glossary

* **NAR Size**: Size of the store path itself.
* **Closure size**: Total size of the store path and all its transitive dependencies.
* **Added size**:  Size of the store path, and all its _unique_ transitive
  dependencies. In other words, the cost of having that store path on top
  of all other paths. See [issue #14] for a better explanation.

[issue #14]: https://github.com/utdemir/nix-tree/issues/14

### Tips

`nix-build` prints built paths to stdout, which can be piped conveniently
with `| xargs -o nix-tree`. Examples:

```bash
# Output of a local derivation
nix-build . --no-out-link | xargs -o nix-tree

# Build time dependencies (passing a `.drv` path)
nix-instantiate . | xargs -o nix-tree --derivation

# Dependencies from shell.nix
nix-build shell.nix -A inputDerivation | xargs -o nix-tree

# All outputs of a derivat