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GNU Guix

by GNU Guix

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

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GNU Guix's own site

What GNU Guix is

GNU Guix is a functional package manager for installing and managing software on Linux. It can also install the complete GNU operating system. Packages are built in isolated environments with declared inputs, and separate profiles let users keep distinct software environments. Declarative manifests can identify a profile using the Guix commit that created it, making that profile recreatable. Users can undo package changes by switching to an earlier profile generation. The guix shell command creates augmented, pure, or containerized environments. It can be installed on a running GNU/Linux distribution, including Debian-derived systems and openSUSE. Builds are usually bit-for-bit reproducible, and users can check substitute providers by building locally. Security updates can be obtained with guix pull && guix upgrade. On HPC clusters, security-critical software such as kernels and system services may remain under administrators’ control.

Who it suits

GNU Guix suits Linux users who want isolated package builds, separate profiles, reproducible configurations, and rollback options. It may also suit administrators or users who want to install the complete GNU system.

What it does well

  • Free software for Linux and self-hosted use
  • Isolated builds use declared inputs
  • Profiles can be recreated from declarative manifests
  • Package changes can roll back to earlier generations
  • Supports containerized environments

What to know first

  • Does not list shell integration
  • Some HPC security-critical software may remain under administrator control

Limits

On an HPC cluster, security-critical software such as the operating system kernel and system services may remain under system administrators’ control.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
GNU GuixFree software · installable on GNU/Linux or as a complete GNU systemFree

As guix.gnu.org lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Visit https://guix.gnu.org/ for Guix information and installation guidance.
  2. Install Guix on a running GNU/Linux distribution, including Debian-derived systems or openSUSE, or use a listed system installation image.
  3. Use profiles to maintain separate software environments.
  4. Use declarative manifests to specify a profile by its Guix commit.
  5. Run `guix pull && guix upgrade` to obtain security updates.

Verdict

GNU Guix offers profile-based software management with reproducibility and rollback features. Its listed platform is Linux, and some security-critical HPC components may stay outside a user’s control.

Questions

What does GNU Guix do?

It is a functional package manager for installing and managing software. It can also install the complete GNU operating system.

Is GNU Guix free?

Yes. GNU Guix is free software, listed as free.

Which systems are supported?

The listed platforms are Linux and self-hosted use. Installation guidance covers running GNU/Linux distributions, including Debian-derived systems and openSUSE.

Can Guix reproduce a software environment?

Declarative manifests can specify a profile by the Guix commit used to create it, allowing that profile to be recreated.

Can package changes be undone?

Yes. Users can switch to an earlier profile generation to roll back package operations.

How are security updates obtained?

Run `guix pull && guix upgrade` to obtain security updates.

Facts from GNU Guix's own pages

Build verification
Guix package builds are usually bit-for-bit reproducible, and users can challenge substitute providers by building locally. · guix-home.trop.in, 30 Sept 2026
Founded
2012 · guix.gnu.org, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan
Yes · guix.gnu.org, 20 Sept 2026
Functional builds
Guix builds packages in isolated environments with declared inputs. · guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
Isolation
Guix can create augmented, pure, or containerized software environments with guix shell. · packages.guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
Linux distribution installation
The manual describes installing Guix on a running GNU/Linux distribution, including Debian-derived systems and openSUSE. · guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
Notable limit
The Guix Cookbook notes that security-critical software such as the operating system kernel and system services may remain under system administrators’ control on an HPC cluster. · guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
Profiles
Users can maintain multiple package profiles for separate software environments. · guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
Reproducibility
Declarative manifests can specify a profile by the Guix commit used to create it, allowing that profile to be recreated. · guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
Rollback
Package operations can be rolled back by switching to an earlier profile generation. · guix-home.trop.in, 30 Sept 2026
Security updates
The Guix Cookbook says users receive security updates by running guix pull && guix upgrade. · guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
Signed substitutes
The Bordeaux build farm says its substitutes are signed and identifies Bordeaux as a default substitute server in recent Guix versions. · bordeaux.guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
Support
The Guix Data Service README directs users needing help to the #guix IRC channel or [email protected]. · data.guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
Supported systems
The GNU FTP archive lists Guix 1.5.0 binaries for AArch64 Linux and system installation images for AArch64, i686, and x86_64 Linux. · ftp.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
System option
Guix can also be used to install the complete GNU operating system. · guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026
What it does
GNU Guix is a functional package manager for installing and managing software. · guix.gnu.org, 30 Sept 2026

Where GNU Guix stands on Freedom251

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