# Nix Flake

> A standardized way to define Nix projects with hermetic, version-locked dependencies and reproducible outputs.

A *Nix flake* is a standardized project structure for Nix that provides hermetic, reproducible
builds by explicitly declaring all dependencies and locking them to exact versions.

A flake consists of two key files:

- **`flake.nix`**: Declares the flake's inputs (dependencies) and outputs (packages, shells, etc.)
- **`flake.lock`**: A lockfile that pins every input to a specific revision, ensuring reproducibility

In Panfactum, the `flake.nix` at the repository root defines the DevShell. It imports the Panfactum
flake as an input and uses it to construct a development environment with all required tooling.
A typical Panfactum `flake.nix` includes:

- The Panfactum flake input (pinned to a specific release)
- A `devShells` output that extends the Panfactum base shell
- Optional additional packages or customizations for the organization

Flakes are a relatively new Nix feature and are enabled by default in Determinate Nix. They
replace older patterns like `shell.nix` and `default.nix` with a more standardized approach.