nix3-shell
Start a shell providing specific packages
TLDR
Enter a shell with a package available
$ nix shell nixpkgs#[hello]
Enter a shell with multiple packages$ nix shell nixpkgs#[git] nixpkgs#[curl]
Run a single command with a package and exit$ nix shell nixpkgs#[jq] --command jq --version
Enter a shell with a package from a specific flake$ nix shell github:[owner/repo]#[package]
Read installables from stdin$ echo "nixpkgs#git" | nix shell --stdin
SYNOPSIS
nix shell [options] installables
DESCRIPTION
nix shell starts a shell environment with the specified packages available in `$PATH`. It is the flake-based replacement for `nix-shell -p` and does not require a shell.nix or default.nix file.
Packages are specified as flake references (e.g., `nixpkgs#jq`). The packages are built or fetched as needed and made available only in the spawned shell session. Nothing is permanently installed.
PARAMETERS
INSTALLABLES
Flake references specifying packages to make available (e.g., nixpkgs#hello).--command, -c CMD [ARGS]
Run a command in the shell environment instead of starting an interactive shell.--stdin
Read installables from standard input.--keep-going
Continue building other inputs if one fails.--impure
Allow access to mutable paths and environment variables.--help
Display help information.
CAVEATS
Requires the experimental `nix-command` and `flakes` features to be enabled. Packages are not permanently installed; they are only available in the spawned shell session.
SEE ALSO
nix(1), nix-shell(1), nix3-develop(1)
