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nix-shell:tldr:0fb2c
The nix-shell
command is used in the Nix package manager to create an isolated development environment with specific dependencies and configurations.
When executing the nix-shell
command, it analyzes the shell.nix
file present in the current directory (if it exists) and sets up an interactive shell environment with the packages and environment variables defined in that file. The shell.nix
file specifies the dependencies and environment for the project, including packages, libraries, and other configurations.
By running nix-shell
, you enter an environment where you have access to all the packages and libraries specified in the shell.nix
file within your current directory. This allows you to execute commands or run scripts with the appropriate versions and configurations of the required dependencies.
It's often used in development workflows where specific package and environment configurations are necessary, especially when working with projects that use the Nix package manager.