GUIX(1)

📦
version 1.5.0 · 4 versions
, in alpine 3.24

🦋 GUIX(1) 🦋

Okay bestie, so this is the manual page for guix build — part of GNU Guix 1.5.0rc1.47-fc2f5a. It's giving package manager but make it ✨functional✨. Let's get into it.

💖 NAME 💖

guix — literally the manual page for guix build (GNU Guix) 1.5.0rc1.47-fc2f5a

🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

guix build [OPTION]... PACKAGE-OR-DERIVATION...

✨ DESCRIPTION ✨

Okay so here's the vibe: you give it a PACKAGE-OR-DERIVATION (or several, no judgment 💅), and it builds them and hands you back their output paths. Main character energy fr fr.

  • -e, --expression=EXPR — builds the package or derivation that EXPR evaluates to. Like, you speak the spell and it does the magic.
  • -f, --file=FILE — builds the package or derivation that the code inside FILE evaluates to. Code goes in, build comes out.
  • -m, --manifest=FILE — builds all the packages that the manifest in FILE evaluates to. A whole squad of packages, one file.
  • -D, --development — builds the inputs of the following package. It's giving "give me the whole friend group."
  • -P, --dependents[=N] — builds dependents of the following package, up to depth N. Dependents of dependents of dependents… iykyk.
  • -S, --source — builds the packages' source derivations. Just the source, bestie.
  • --sources[=TYPE] — builds source derivations. TYPE can optionally be one of "package", "all" (default), or "transitive". Slay your own path.
  • -d, --derivations — returns the derivation paths of the given packages. No building, just the receipts.
  • --check — rebuilds items to check for non-determinism issues. Detective mode: activated 🔍.
  • --repair — repairs the specified items. Fix-it energy.
  • -r, --root=FILE — makes FILE a symlink to the result, and registers it as a garbage collector root. So it doesn't get yeeted by the GC.
  • -v, --verbosity=LEVEL — uses the given verbosity LEVEL. Spill the tea or keep it quiet, your call.
  • -q, --quiet — does NOT show the build log. Silent mode, no cap.
  • --log-file — returns the log file names for the given derivations. For when you need to read the drama.
  • -L, --load-path=DIR — prepends DIR to the package module search path. Making sure it finds your stuff first.
  • -K, --keep-failed — keeps the build tree of failed builds. Not me preserving the evidence 💀.
  • -k, --keep-going — keeps going when some of the derivations fail. Resilience, queen behavior.
  • -n, --dry-run — does NOT build the derivations. Just vibes and planning.
  • --fallback — falls back to building when the substituter fails. Backup plan unlocked.
  • --no-substitutes — builds instead of resorting to pre-built substitutes. DIY era.
  • --substitute-urls=URLS — fetches substitute from URLS if they are authorized. Trusted sources only.
  • --no-grafts — does NOT graft packages. No grafting, periodt.
  • --no-offload — does NOT attempt to offload builds. Keeping it local.
  • --max-silent-time=SECONDS — marks the build as failed after SECONDS of silence. The silent treatment is NOT tolerated 😤.
  • --timeout=SECONDS — marks the build as failed after SECONDS of activity. Time's up, bestie.
  • --rounds=N — builds N times in a row to detect non-determinism. Repetition for accuracy, iconic.
  • -c, --cores=N — allows the use of up to N CPU cores for the build. More cores, more power 💪.
  • -M, --max-jobs=N — allows at most N build jobs. Keeping it manageable.
  • --debug=LEVEL — produces debugging output at LEVEL. For the tech detectives.
  • --list-targets — lists available targets. Window shopping 🛍️.
  • --target=TRIPLET — cross-builds for TRIPLET — e.g., "aarch64-linux-gnu". Cross-building is a flex, ngl.
  • --list-systems — lists available systems. The guest list, if you will.
  • -s, --system=SYSTEM — attempts to build for SYSTEM — e.g., "i686-linux". Pick your system, bestie.
  • --help-transform — lists package transformation options not shown here. The secret menu 👀.
  • -h, --help — displays this help and exits. Help is always there for you 🫶.
  • -V, --version — displays version information and exits. Know your version, know yourself.

🐛 REPORTING BUGS 🐛

Found a bug? Spill it here: <https://codeberg.org/guix/guix/issues/> — they're literally waiting for your feedback, bestie.

GNU Guix home page: <https://www.gnu.org/software/guix/>

General help using Guix and GNU software: <https://guix.gnu.org/en/help/>

Copyright © 2025 the Guix authors. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>

This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law. (Read: free to use, free to share, but if it breaks, it breaks — that's the deal 🫠.)

🧚 SEE ALSO 🧚

The full documentation for guix is maintained as a Texinfo manual. If the info and guix programs are properly installed at your site, the command:

info guix

should give you access to the complete manual. Periodt. 💅

🌸 That's the whole page, bestie. From the GNU project — January 2026 edition. Now go build something iconic. 🎀

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