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Bundlers transform Nix derivations into distributable artifacts for different platforms and deployment targets. Nur Nix provides multiple bundler types optimized for different use cases.

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What are Bundlers?

Bundlers take a Nix derivation (a package built with Nix) and convert it into a format suitable for distribution. This enables you to:
  • Cross-compile applications for different operating systems and architectures
  • Containerize applications as Docker images
  • Optimize binary sizes with compression
  • Distribute standalone executables without Nix dependencies

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Available Bundlers

Nur Nix provides bundlers organized by compilation target:

Deno Bundlers

Cross-compile JavaScript/TypeScript apps to standalone binaries for 5 platforms

Go Bundlers

Cross-compile Go applications with optional UPX compression for 6 platforms

Docker Bundlers

Package applications as Docker images with layered or streamed output

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System Format

Bundler names use the {system} format to specify target platforms:
SystemArchitectureOSExample Use
x86_64-linuxx86_64 (AMD64)LinuxServers, cloud VMs
aarch64-linuxARM64LinuxRaspberry Pi, ARM servers
x86_64-darwinx86_64 (AMD64)macOSIntel Macs
aarch64-darwinARM64macOSApple Silicon Macs
x86_64-windowsx86_64 (AMD64)WindowsDesktop/server
arm-linuxARMLinuxOlder ARM devices
The {system} format ensures consistent cross-platform targeting across all bundlers.

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Basic Usage

All bundlers are invoked using the nix bundle command: 
nix bundle \
  --bundler github:nurpkgs/nur-nix#docker \
  .#myapp

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Command Structure

  • --bundler - Specifies the bundler to use (from the Nur Nix registry)
  • .#myapp - References the derivation to bundle (from your flake)

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Bundler Categories

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Cross-Compilation Bundlers

Create standalone executables for different platforms:
  • Deno: deno-{system} - For JavaScript/TypeScript applications
  • Go: go-{system} - For Go applications
  • Go Compressed: go-compress-{system} - Go with UPX compression

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Container Bundlers

Package applications as Docker images:
  • docker - Creates a layered Docker image (saved as .tar.gz)
  • docker-stream - Streams a layered Docker image (for piping to docker load)

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Practical Example

Here’s how to bundle a Deno application for multiple platforms: 
# Linux x86_64
nix bundle \
  --bundler github:nurpkgs/nur-nix#deno-x86_64-linux \
  .#myapp

# macOS Apple Silicon
nix bundle \
  --bundler github:nurpkgs/nur-nix#deno-aarch64-darwin \
  .#myapp

# Windows
nix bundle \
  --bundler github:nurpkgs/nur-nix#deno-x86_64-windows \
  .#myapp

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Output Location

Bundled artifacts are placed in the Nix store at: 
/nix/store/<hash>-<package-name>-<system>/
For executables: 
/nix/store/<hash>-<package-name>-<system>/bin/<binary-name>
For Docker images: 
/nix/store/<hash>-docker-image-<package-name>.tar.gz

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Next Steps

Deno Bundlers

JavaScript/TypeScript

Go Bundlers

Go applications

Docker Bundlers

Container images

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