How to install software which aren't available on the cache?

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1

Hello ( new to nixos ),

sometimes I want to use random software for which binaries aren’t available on the cache. what is the best thing I can do? the software is so obscure no people will write a package definition for it. can I create an “environment” or something where I can use that software? there are a lot of proprietory software which I do want to use but can’t since they sometimes distribute dynamic binary.

Thanks in advance!

2

I used to launch some binaries with steam-run. There is also nix-ld, but it is more involved to setup.

3

The complete way is that you create a package definition for it.

Other wise set up a devshell so that nix develop or nix-shell creates the “environment” for you to build it e.g. setting up libraries and build tools.

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4

this is exactly what I wanted! Thanks.