I made a dual-bootable NixBSD (NixOS and FreeBSD) image

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I've been working on getting NixBSD (Nix package manager + FreeBSD) to boot alongside NixOS on a shared ZFS pool. The result is a <2GB disk image you can try in QEMU or virt-manager. What works: - GRUB chainloads FreeBSD's bootloader - Both systems share a ZFS pool - Everything is defined in a single Nix flake - Fully reproducible builds (some dependencies are now cached on Cachix) Planned: - Support native compilation of NixBSD (currently cross-compiled on Linux) - Many shortcuts were taken to get this working, needs lots of cleanup - Add a semi-automated installer like nixos-wizard Try it: qemu-system-x86_64 -enable-kvm -m 2048 \ -bios /usr/share/ovmf/OVMF.fd \ -drive file=nixos.root.img,format=raw Login: nixos/nixos or root/toor The hardest parts were getting mounts working at boot, making the bootloader setup idempotent, and debugging early init. This disk image could potentially work on a USB stick with a bit more work. This is very much experimental. My goal is to eventually produce a proper NixBSD installation ISO and consolidate all configuration into one repository while still consuming upstream NixBSD as a flake. Download: https://github.com/jonhermansen/nixbsd-demo/releases/tag/bui... Feel free to leave feedback here or on GitHub! Thanks!

Visit product View on Hacker NewsJan 29, 2026

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Product HuntOn track for Day 1 leaderboard · Strong signals: single · Missing: mac, agents, macos

58%58% predicted probability of success on Product Hunt, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

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Indie HackersFits the IH revenue-focused audience · Strong signals: ios · Missing: supports, reddit linkedin, podcasting

52%52% predicted probability of success on Indie Hackers, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Hacker NewsMay not resonate with HN audience · Strong signals: ide, io · Missing: https docs, excited, just released

45%45% predicted probability of success on Hacker News, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

nativeThis product was originally launched on this platform.

TrustMRRLess likely to generate early MRR · Strong signals: ios · Missing: mobile apps, personal, entrepreneurs

40%40% predicted probability of success on TrustMRR, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

AppSumoMay struggle as an AppSumo deal · Missing: plus, platform, intuitive

29%29% predicted probability of success on AppSumo, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Acquire.comPre-revenue stage for this audience · Missing: arr, mrr, revenue

14%14% predicted probability of success on Acquire.com, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

BetaListMay not resonate with beta-testers · Missing: web3, chat, crypto

0%0% predicted probability of success on BetaList, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Incorrect prediction on native model

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