Using nix-managed software as root, on non-NixOS systems

[mcint]

What are the best, most nix-idiomatic ways for Nix package users, on non-NixOS system, to run software with sudo, or as root?

I would like to point root’s nix-profile to use my user’s nix-profile symlink, or copy the symlink to root as snapshots of the same target.

These questions do not directly relate, but the linked answers might address opinions related to my question.

Can I install nix as root

The installer does not accept to be run as root, you could remove the checks for that, but then there will be no support for any problems you might have during and/or after the installation. Despite how often you use or not use the machine, you really should only use an unpriviliged user for everything and use sudo once you really need the elevated permissions.

Systemd services should allow running commands as root

I have a strong feeling, based on conversation with the author of that option, that the option is using being used to do very imperative things. I think as a community we need to consider when, why, and how often we want to promote doing things imperatively. It isn’t that we need to make life harder for people who want to do things imperatively, it is that we want to keep nixpkgs “pure” and promote best practices (ie. doing things declaratively). I don’t speak on behalf of anyone, so let me clar…

[NobbZ]

Do a multi user installation and use nix.

If you want to have root use your users current profile, then you use sudo PATH=$PATH …

[mcint]

While

• sudo PATH=$PATH which ...

shows me the user-installed path to …, ~/.nix-profile/bin/...,

• sudo env PATH=$PATH ...

is required to have the path used in executable lookups. Thank you for the quick answer, breaking my mental block.