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Better Blur DX can be installed on NixOS using flakes. This provides declarative configuration and reproducible builds.

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Installation with Flakes

1

Add to flake.nix

Add Better Blur DX as an input to your flake.nix:
flake.nix
{
  inputs = {
    nixpkgs.url = "github:nixos/nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";

    kwin-effects-better-blur-dx = {
      url = "github:xarblu/kwin-effects-better-blur-dx";
      inputs.nixpkgs.follows = "nixpkgs";
    };
  };
}
The inputs.nixpkgs.follows = "nixpkgs" line ensures Better Blur DX uses the same nixpkgs version as your system, preventing duplicate dependencies.
2

Add to System Packages

Reference the flake input in your system configuration:
3

Rebuild Your System

Apply the configuration:
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#
4

Enable the Effect

After rebuilding:
  1. Open System Settings > Desktop Effects
  2. Disable any existing blur effects
  3. Enable Better Blur DX

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Complete Example

Here’s a complete example showing the flake structure:
flake.nix
{
  description = "My NixOS System";

  inputs = {
    nixpkgs.url = "github:nixos/nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";
    
    kwin-effects-better-blur-dx = {
      url = "github:xarblu/kwin-effects-better-blur-dx";
      inputs.nixpkgs.follows = "nixpkgs";
    };
  };

  outputs = { self, nixpkgs, kwin-effects-better-blur-dx, ... }@inputs: {
    nixosConfigurations.hostname = nixpkgs.lib.nixosSystem {
      system = "x86_64-linux";
      specialArgs = { inherit inputs; };
      modules = [
        ./configuration.nix
      ];
    };
  };
}
configuration.nix
{ inputs, pkgs, ... }:

{
  # ... other configuration ...

  environment.systemPackages = [
    inputs.kwin-effects-better-blur-dx.packages.${pkgs.system}.default
    # ... other packages ...
  ];

  # ... rest of configuration ...
}

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Updating

To update to the latest version of Better Blur DX: 
# Update the flake input
nix flake update kwin-effects-better-blur-dx

# Rebuild your system
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#
After updating, restart KWin by logging out and back in.

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System Upgrades

Important: After upgrading Plasma or KWin, you may need to rebuild.The effect is compiled against a specific KWin version. After system upgrades that update KWin:
# Update and rebuild
nix flake update
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#
Then restart KWin by logging out and back in.

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Home Manager Integration

You can also install Better Blur DX through Home Manager:
home.nix
{ inputs, pkgs, ... }:

{
  home.packages = [
    inputs.kwin-effects-better-blur-dx.packages.${pkgs.system}.default
  ];
}

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Pinning a Specific Version

To pin a specific commit or version:
flake.nix
{
  inputs = {
    kwin-effects-better-blur-dx = {
      url = "github:xarblu/kwin-effects-better-blur-dx/COMMIT_HASH";
      inputs.nixpkgs.follows = "nixpkgs";
    };
  };
}
Replace COMMIT_HASH with the desired Git commit hash or tag.

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Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues:
  1. Effect not loading: Verify the package is in your system: 
    nix-store -q --references /run/current-system | grep better-blur
  2. Build failures: Try updating nixpkgs: 
    nix flake update nixpkgs
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake .#
  3. Version mismatch: Ensure the flake follows your nixpkgs: 
    inputs.nixpkgs.follows = "nixpkgs"
  4. Check build logs: View the build output: 
    nix build github:xarblu/kwin-effects-better-blur-dx --print-build-logs

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Non-Flake Installation

If you’re not using flakes, you can install Better Blur DX using an overlay or by building manually. See the Manual Build guide.

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Next Steps

Learn how to configure Better Blur DX in the Configuration section.

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