nixy/INSTALL-laptop.md

# ThinkPad NixOS Installation Guide

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing the NixOS configuration on your ThinkPad laptop.

## Prerequisites

- **ThinkPad laptop** (tested models: T480, T490, X1 Carbon)
- **USB flash drive** (8GB+ recommended)
- **Backup your data** - this will erase everything on the target device
- **NixOS ISO** - Download from [nixos.org](https://nixos.org/download.html)
- **Internet connection** (wired recommended for initial setup)

## Preparation

### 1. Create NixOS Installation Media

```bash
# On another Linux machine or macOS:
sudo dd if=nixos-minimal-*.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync
# Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device (e.g., /dev/sdb)
# WARNING: This will erase the target device completely
```

### 2. Boot from USB

1. Insert USB drive into ThinkPad
2. Power on and press **F12** to enter boot menu
3. Select the USB drive
4. At GRUB menu, select "NixOS"

## Installation Steps

### 3. Prepare Disks

```bash
# Identify your disk (likely /dev/nvme0n1 for NVMe SSDs)
lsblk

# Partition the disk (adjust for your needs)
sudo gdisk /dev/nvme0n1
# Use: o (create new GPT), n (new partition), accept defaults for EFI (512M), then Linux filesystem (rest)
# Set type for EFI to EF00, Linux filesystem to 8300
# Write changes with w
```

### 4. Format Partitions

```bash
# Format EFI partition
sudo mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/nvme0n1p1

# Format root partition
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/nvme0n1p2

# Mount partitions
sudo mount /dev/nvme0n1p2 /mnt
sudo mkdir -p /mnt/boot/efi
sudo mount /dev/nvme0n1p1 /mnt/boot/efi
```

### 5. Generate NixOS Configuration

```bash
# Generate initial configuration
sudo nixos-generate-config --root /mnt

# This creates /mnt/etc/nixos/configuration.nix and hardware-configuration.nix
```

### 6. Clone Your Nixy Configuration

```bash
# Clone your nixy repository
sudo nix-shell -p git
git clone https://gitea.doomlabs.de/KptltD00M/nixy.git /mnt/etc/nixos/nixy
cd /mnt/etc/nixos/nixy

# Copy hardware configuration
sudo cp /mnt/etc/nixos/hardware-configuration.nix hosts/laptop/hardware-configuration.nix
```

### 7. Install NixOS

```bash
# Switch to your laptop configuration
sudo nixos-install --flake /mnt/etc/nixos/nixy#laptop

# When prompted, set a root password
```

### 8. Post-Installation

```bash
# After reboot, log in as root
# Clone your configuration to your user
git clone https://gitea.doomlabs.de/KptltD00M/nixy.git ~/nixy
cd ~/nixy

# Switch to your user configuration
nix run nixpkgs#home-manager -- switch --flake .#andi@laptop

# Reboot
reboot
```

## ThinkPad-Specific Configuration

### 1. Trackpad Configuration

The configuration includes touchpad settings optimized for ThinkPad hardware. If you need to adjust:

```nix
# Edit hosts/laptop/home.nix
programs.hyprland = {
  touchpad = {
    naturalScroll = true;
    tap-to-click = true;
    disableWhileTyping = false;
  };
};
```

### 2. Keyboard Backlight

```bash
# Enable keyboard backlight control
sudo nix-env -iA nixos.hid-tools
sudo systemctl enable --now thinkpad-keyboard-backlight.service
```

### 3. Power Management

```bash
# Install TLP for better power management
sudo nix-env -iA nixos.tlp
sudo systemctl enable --now tlp
```

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

**1. WiFi not working:**
```bash
# Install firmware for your WiFi card
sudo nix-env -iA nixos.firmware
```

**2. Suspend/resume issues:**
```bash
# Edit hardware-configuration.nix
boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages_latest;
```

**3. Screen tearing:**
```bash
# Enable TearFree in hosts/laptop/configuration.nix
services.xserver.videoDrivers = [ "modesetting" ];
```

### Debugging Commands

```bash
# Check hardware detection
sudo dmesg | grep -i thinkpad

# Check battery status
upower -i /org/freedesktop/UPower/devices/battery_BAT0

# Check display configuration
hyprctl monitors
```

## Maintenance

### Updating Your System

```bash
# Update flake inputs
nix flake update

# Rebuild system
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --flake ~/nixy#laptop

# Rebuild home configuration
nix run nixpkgs#home-manager -- switch --flake ~/nixy#andi@laptop
```

### Backup Configuration

```bash
# Backup your hardware configuration
cp /etc/nixos/hardware-configuration.nix ~/nixy/hosts/laptop/

# Commit changes
cd ~/nixy
git add .
git commit -m "Update hardware config for ThinkPad"
git push
```

## Additional Resources

- [NixOS Manual](https://nixos.org/manual/nixos/stable/)
- [ThinkPad Wiki](https://www.thinkwiki.org/)
- [NixOS Discourse](https://discourse.nixos.org/)

## Notes

- **ThinkPad T480/X1 Carbon specific:** These models have excellent Linux support. The configuration includes:
  - Trackpoint acceleration settings
  - Keyboard backlight control
  - Power management profiles
  - Display brightness controls
  - Suspend/resume fixes

- **Encryption:** If you enabled encryption during install, use:
  ```bash
  sudo cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/nvme0n1p2 cryptroot
  sudo mount /dev/mapper/cryptroot /mnt
  ```

- **Multi-boot:** If dual-booting with Windows, ensure Secure Boot is disabled in BIOS.