GNU Guix Config (Desktop + Server)

Overview

This is my personal GNU Guix system configuration for a desktop machine that I also use as local file server. The setup is built around EXWM (Emacs X Window Manager) for the desktop environment and includes various server services for local network.

System Overview

• Minimal desktop footprint: EXWM for desktop instead of xfce/gnome etc
• Server capabilities: File sharing via Samba, web serving via nginx, music streaming via MPD
• Non-free programs: I’m using the nonguix channel for hardware compatibility (mainly graphics drivers)

Architecture

Directory Structure

~/.config/guix/
├── system.scm              # Main system configuration
├── channels.scm            # Channel definitions (includes nonguix)
└── modules/
    └── arisu/
        ├── packages.scm    # Package collections organized by purpose
        ├── services.scm    # Custom service configurations
        └── filesystems.scm # File system etc...

Package Organization

Packages are grouped into three categories:

• Desktop packages: EXWM, terminal emulator, media players, MPD clients
• Development packages: Git, GIMP, development tools
• Server packages: System monitoring, file sharing clients

Services Configuration

File Sharing (Samba)

• Serves /public/hdd1 and /public/hdd2 as network shares - I’m currently wondering how this could be done better

Web Server (nginx)

• Serves static files from /var/www/wired
• Directory browsing enabled for file exploration
• Accessible on localhost and by hostname “wired”

Music Server (MPD)

• Multiple client support (ncmpcpp, Emacs, web clients)
• HTTP streaming on port 8000 for remote access
• Music stored in /public/hdd1/Music/

Installation and Usage

Prerequisites

Warning: This configuration uses non-free software via the nonguix channel!

Initial Setup

1. Clone to ~/.config/guix/
2. Set up the module load path:

export GUILE_LOAD_PATH="~/.config/guix/modules"

1. Update channels:

guix pull

System Reconfiguration

Apply the configuration (this will take a LONG TIME on first run):

sudo -E guix system reconfigure ~/.config/guix/system.scm

Post-Installation Setup

MPD Configuration

MPD directories creation and initialisation:

mkdir -p ~/.config/mpd/playlists
sudo herd restart mpd
mpc update  # to scan music library

File Shares

Ensure your storage drives are mounted:

• /public/hdd1 - sirius
• /public/hdd2 - rigel

Web Directory

Create web content directory:

sudo mkdir -p /var/www/wired
sudo chown arisu:users /var/www/wired

Customisation

Adding Packages

Edit modules/arisu/packages.scm and add packages to the appropriate category:

• arisu-desktop-packages for GUI applications
• arisu-development-packages for development tools
• arisu-server-packages for system utilities

Service Configuration

Service configurations are in modules/arisu/services.scm:

• Modify Samba shares in arisu-samba-service
• Adjust nginx settings in arisu-nginx-service
• Configure MPD options in arisu-mpd-service

File Systems

Storage configuration is in modules/arisu/filesystems.scm. UUIDs are obtained via blkid.

Usage Notes

EXWM Setup

This configuration assumes you’ll configure EXWM in your Emacs setup. Expect this configuration to fail if you’re not using EXWM.

Network Services

• Samba shares: \\wired\hdd1 and \\wired\hdd2
• Web interface: http://wired or http://localhost
• MPD streaming: http://localhost:6666
• SSH access: Port 22 (keys separately)

Music Management

• I’m still figuring out listen.el in Emacs. For now, I will stick to mcp and ncmpcpp
• Mobile apps can connect to my-ip:6600

Hardware Considerations

This configuration uses the non-free Linux kernel and firmware because my graphics card doesn’t have free drivers.

Maintenance

System Updates

guix pull && sudo -E guix system reconfigure ~/.config/guix/system.scm

Garbage Collection

sudo guix gc --delete-older-than=1m  # Remove builds older than 1 month

Store Verification

If you encounter corrupted derivations:

sudo guix gc --verify=repair

Troubleshooting

Some issues I already faced

Services Failing

Checking service status with herd:

sudo herd status
sudo herd status mpd  # Check specific service

Module Loading Errors

Ensure GUILE_LOAD_PATH includes your modules directory.

Permission Issues

Services run as different users:

• MPD runs as arisu to access music files
• Samba runs as system service with guest access
• nginx runs as system service

Contributing

This is a personal configuration, but feel free to use it as inspiration for your own Guix setup. The modular structure makes it easy to adapt individual components. PRs are always welcome.