zix build

[matloffm]

I tried to install Alacritty and Proton Authenticator using zix. I added the titles to the json file and ran zix apply. All seemed to go smoothly.
The new applications appeared in the launcher, but when selected they did not run. Proton authenticator opened a blank window while Alacritty did nothing. I ran zix build and got the following errors:

======================================================================================================
[marcm@zena marcm]$ zix build
[info] Building profile 'default'...
[info] Executing: nix run --impure /var/home/marcm/.zix#profile.build
error:
… while calling the 'derivationStrict' builtin
at <nix/derivation-internal.nix>:37:12:
36|
37| strict = derivationStrict drvAttrs;
| ^
38|

   … while evaluating derivation 'zix-profile'
     whose name attribute is located at /nix/store/gnf2ayqhb31qvgh1s9mg3aqaj9378cg7-source/pkgs/stdenv/generic/make-derivation.nix:536:13

   … while evaluating attribute 'passAsFile' of derivation 'zix-profile'
     at /nix/store/gnf2ayqhb31qvgh1s9mg3aqaj9378cg7-source/pkgs/build-support/trivial-builders/default.nix:81:9:
       80|         inherit buildCommand name;
       81|         passAsFile = [ "buildCommand" ] ++ (derivationArgs.passAsFile or [ ]);
         |         ^
       82|       }

   (stack trace truncated; use '--show-trace' to show the full, detailed trace)

   error: Package ‘proton-authenticator-1.1.4’ in /nix/store/gnf2ayqhb31qvgh1s9mg3aqaj9378cg7-source/pkgs/by-name/pr/proton-authenticator/package.nix:47 has an unfree license (‘unfree’), refusing to evaluate.

   a) To temporarily allow unfree packages, you can use an environment variable
      for a single invocation of the nix tools.

        $ export NIXPKGS_ALLOW_UNFREE=1

      Note: When using `nix shell`, `nix build`, `nix develop`, etc with a flake,
            then pass `--impure` in order to allow use of environment variables.

   b) For `nixos-rebuild` you can set
     { nixpkgs.config.allowUnfree = true; }
   in configuration.nix to override this.

   Alternatively you can configure a predicate to allow specific packages:
     { nixpkgs.config.allowUnfreePredicate = pkg: builtins.elem (lib.getName pkg) [
         "proton-authenticator"
       ];
     }

   c) For `nix-env`, `nix-build`, `nix-shell` or any other Nix command you can add
     { allowUnfree = true; }
   to ~/.config/nixpkgs/config.nix.

[error] Command failed with exit code 1: nix run --impure /var/home/marcm/.zix#profile.build
[marcm@zena marcm]$

You are passing the --impure flag to nix so I don't know why it objected to the Proton app. As for Alacritty, I get no error messages and am not sure how to proceed.
I am enthusiastic about the project and would be happy to test software and such. I appreciate any help you can offer.
Thanks, Marc Matloff

[JianZcar]

Thank you for reporting, i think for alacritty its opengl error, the proton im not quite sure. The build bug i think cuz i didnt pass impure.

Im planning to add the wrapper for opengl problem, this because due to sandboxing of nix package manager.

For now here is my recommendation while i work out for a fix.

use appimage for alacritty
https://github.com/pkgforge-dev/alacritty-AppImage

And for proton use distrobox because proton ships .deb and .rpm

[matloffm]

Alacritty is okay as an appimage, but not as full featured as the native app. Same is true for other apps like 1Password. When the app is sand-boxed, e.g. flatpak, snap, appimage, etc., some features are lost, e.g. inter-process communications. 1Password app cannot communicate with the 1Password browser extension. Is it possible to allow the user to install apps in their home directory with read only access to the system libraries, etc. You created Zix to simplify using Nix apps, could rpm be modified to install in the home directory? Thanks for your reply, Marc Matloff Sent with [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/mail/home) secure email.

…

On Sunday, February 8th, 2026 at 6:59 PM, JianZcar ***@***.***> wrote: JianZcar left a comment [(Zena-Linux/Zena#49)](#49 (comment)) Thank you for reporting, i think for alacritty its opengl error, the proton im not quite sure. The build bug i think cuz i didnt pass impure. Im planning to add the wrapper for opengl problem, this because due to sandboxing of nix package manager. For now here is my recommendation while i work out for a fix. use appimage for alacritty https://github.com/pkgforge-dev/alacritty-AppImage And for proton use distrobox because proton ships .deb and .rpm — Reply to this email directly, [view it on GitHub](#49 (comment)), or [unsubscribe](https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AJVGVDCFZODHOPO3ANEKKD34K7Z2FAVCNFSM6AAAAACUNPBINWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTQNRZGAZDEMBSGI). You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[JianZcar]

i see, im working on a idea to allow installing system level packages. basically kinda like nixos that has a conf in root instead of that its a bash script which allows you to control packages and system modification.

[JianZcar]

but moving dnf to your home might cause errors especially with runtime dependencies, ill do more research in this and see how feasible it is