name: dev-sync description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "sync to VM", "rebuild VM", "test on VM", "dev-sync", "push changes to VM", or wants to iterate on NixOS configuration using a VM. Covers the dev-sync workflow for rapid VM development.

VM Development Workflow (dev-sync)

The ./scripts/dev-sync script enables rapid iteration on NixOS configuration using a VM.

Setup

1. Copy .env.example to .env:

cp .env.example .env

2. Configure VM connection in .env:

VM_HOST=192.168.122.3
VM_USER=altan
VM_PASS=test

Commands

# Sync files only (no rebuild)
./scripts/dev-sync sync

# Sync + rebuild NixOS
./scripts/dev-sync rebuild

# Sync + run flake check
./scripts/dev-sync check

# Open SSH session to VM
./scripts/dev-sync ssh

How It Works

1. Rsyncs files to ~/nixos-sync on VM (as user)
2. Sudo rsyncs to /etc/nixos (preserves .git)
3. Auto-commits changes for flake compatibility
4. Runs requested command (rebuild, check, etc.)

Important: Flake + Git

NixOS flakes require files to be git-tracked. The script:

• Preserves .git directory on VM
• Auto-initializes git repo if missing
• Auto-commits changes before rebuild

Common Workflows

Test configuration changes

# Make changes locally, then:
./scripts/dev-sync rebuild

Restart services without logout

# After rebuild, restart specific service:
sshpass -p 'test' ssh altan@192.168.122.3 'systemctl --user restart noctalia-shell'

Full test cycle

./scripts/dev-sync rebuild && \
sshpass -p 'test' ssh altan@192.168.122.3 'systemctl --user restart noctalia-shell'

Check for errors before rebuild

./scripts/dev-sync check

Verification Commands

Run on VM via SSH:

# Check service status
sshpass -p 'test' ssh altan@192.168.122.3 'systemctl --user status noctalia-shell'

# Check generated config
sshpass -p 'test' ssh altan@192.168.122.3 'cat ~/.config/noctalia/settings.json | jq .'

# Check noctalia runtime state
sshpass -p 'test' ssh altan@192.168.122.3 'noctalia-shell ipc call state all | jq .'

Troubleshooting

"path does not exist" errors

• Files must be git-tracked for flakes
• Script auto-commits, but check if new directories are added

Build fails on VM but works locally

• VM may have different nixpkgs version
• Check flake.lock is synced

Services not restarting

• Use systemctl --user restart <service>
• Or logout/login for full reload