How to use uutils-coreutils instead of the builtin coreutils?

Malix · July 9, 2026, 11:31am

I just crafted the dynamic alternative:

gist.github.com

https://gist.github.com/Malix-Labs/d4157e47f0f7175242cf717b936af5e3

README.md

# Nix Lib Coreutils

Nix Library for Coreutils

## Setup

### Flakes

```nix
inputs.lib-coreutils = {

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default.nix

{ lib }:
{
  replaceGnuCoreutilsWithUutils = import ./replaceGnuCoreutilsWithUutils.nix;
  padName = import ./padName.nix lib;
}

flake.lock

{
  "nodes": {
    "nixpkgs-lib": {
      "locked": {
        "lastModified": 1783217952,
        "narHash": "sha256-lItVCcSNUiL9NlB0+VoZwhtZk+0jAnfjJjch1g7U0bM=",
        "owner": "nix-community",
        "repo": "nixpkgs.lib",
        "rev": "830143f1e74a5ce8aa6cdad9c41ae84b73e8b3be",
        "type": "github"

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I haven’t focused on performance yet

Let me know if anyone can find something better

I think a solution like this is close to what’s the best alternative possible without a dedicated NixOS option to chose which coreutils (and such) to use

Until then, we will always be bottlenecked by replaceDependencies

Malix · July 9, 2026, 2:43pm

An issue about creating a NixOS module for uutils-coreutils has already been opened :

github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs

Module Request: nixos/modules/programs/uutils-coreutils.nix

opened 08:38PM - 28 Apr 25 UTC

closed 08:00AM - 29 Apr 25 UTC

poseidon-rises

0.kind: enhancement 6.topic: nixos 9.needs: module (new)

### Nixpkgs version - Unstable (25.05) ### Describe the proposed module A mod…ule that allows users to override the default `coreutils` package with the rust rewrite `uutils-coreutils`. ### Additional context ### Notify maintainers @siraben --- **Note for maintainers:** Please tag this issue in your pull request description. (i.e. `Resolves #ISSUE`.) ### I assert that this issue is relevant for Nixpkgs - [x] I assert that this module does not yet exist in an [open pull request](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/pulls?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Apr+label%3A%228.has%3A+module+%28new%29%22) or in [NixOS Unstable](https://search.nixos.org/options?channel=unstable). - [x] I assert that this is not a [duplicate of an existing issue](https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%229.needs%3A+module+%28new%29%22). - [x] I assert that I have read the [NixOS Code of Conduct](https://github.com/NixOS/.github/blob/master/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) and agree to abide by it. ### Is this issue important to you? Add a :+1: [reaction] to [issues you find important]. [reaction]: https://github.blog/2016-03-10-add-reactions-to-pull-requests-issues-and-comments/ [issues you find important]: https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+sort%3Areactions-%2B1-desc

It has been closed 1 year ago after a comment from @waffle8946 (Module Request: nixos/modules/programs/uutils-coreutils.nix · Issue #402632 · NixOS/nixpkgs · GitHub)

waffle8946 · July 9, 2026, 6:54pm

I didn’t close anything, don’t blame me or tag me for that.

Malix · July 9, 2026, 7:13pm

I did not say you closed that issue, but that this issue was closed after your comment (which contained some reasons for it being closed, which are relevant for this discourse thread)

waffle8946 · July 9, 2026, 11:09pm

The comment just links back here… and the code is also duplicated from my comment here.

Malix · July 10, 2026, 10:43am

Which is why I said it’s relevant to this thread, but I can remove that part and also delete the present comment if you really don’t want to be mentioned

What I want anyway is to make replacing GNU Coreutils and such with Uutils alternatives possible through NixOS options (and without replaceDependencies)

I’ll probably contribute to that soon enough