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# NixOS {#sec-nixos-state}

     

       
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NixOS itself obviously needs `/nix` to be persistent, so the system environment

     

       
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can be linked from the nix store during activation.

     

       
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Moreover, `/boot` should also be persistent, as it contains the kernel, initrd,

     

       
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and the command-line determining the system environment's path in the nix store.

     

       
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## Users and groups {#sec-state-users}

     

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# NixOS {#sec-nixos-state}

     

       
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## `/nix` {#sec-state-nix}

     

       
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NixOS needs the entirety of `/nix` to be persistent, as it includes:

     

       
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- `/nix/store`, which contains all the system's executables, libraries, and supporting data;

     

       
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- `/nix/var/nix`, which contains:

     

       
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  - the Nix daemon's database;

     

       
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  - roots whose transitive closure is preserved when garbage-collecting the Nix store;

     

       
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  - system-wide and per-user profiles.

     

       
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## `/boot` {#sec-state-boot}

     

       
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`/boot` should also be persistent, as it contains:

     

       
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- the kernel and initrd which the bootloader loads,

     

       
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- the bootloader's configuration, including the kernel's command-line which

     

       
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  determines the store path to use as system environment.

     

       
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## Users and groups {#sec-state-users}