How to Install Socialhome on NixOS Latest

Socialhome is a free and open-source, decentralized social network server. This tutorial will guide you on how to install Socialhome on NixOS Latest.

Prerequisites

Before you start the installation process, ensure you have the following:

• A virtual or dedicated server running NixOS Latest
• A user account with root privileges

Step 1: Enable NixOS UNSTABLE channel

By default, NixOS Latest comes with the latest stable version of Socialhome. For the latest version, you need to enable the NixOS UNSTABLE channel. Run the following command in your terminal:

sudo nix-channel --add https://nixos.org/channels/nixos-unstable nixos-unstable
sudo nix-channel --update

Step 2: Install Socialhome

To install Socialhome, execute the following command:

sudo nix-env -iA nixos-unstable.socialhome

Step 3: Configure Socialhome

Next, we need to create a configuration file for Socialhome. Create a new file /etc/socialhome/configuration.nix or edit the existing one and add the following lines:

{ config, pkgs, ... }:

{
  services.socialhome = {
    enable = true;
    httpConfig.forceSSL = true;   # Enable SSL (recommended)
    
    # A list of domains that your Socialhome instance should respond to
    # This should be your domain name or IP
    domains = ["example.com"];

    # The database configuration
    database = {
      enablePostgresql = true;   # Use PostgreSQL as the backend
      passwordFile = "/run/secrets/socialhome-postgres-pass";  # Set a password file
    };

    # Configure the SMTP server for outgoing mail
    mail = {
      # Enable SMTP
      enable = true;
      addresses = ["smtp.gmail.com"];  # Your SMTP server
      port = 587;
      authentication = "login";
      username = "youremail@gmail.com";
      passwordFile = "/run/secrets/socialhome-mail-pass";   # Set your own password file
    
      fromAddress = "youremail@gmail.com";   # Your email address
      fromName = "Your Name";
    };

    # The URL prefix for the Socialhome instance
    baseurl = "/socialhome/";

    # Socialhome authentication configuration
    authentication = {
      enableEmailSignIn = true;
    };
  };
}

Please remember to replace the values with your own SMTP server, email address, domain name, and password file.

Step 4: Restart the NixOS service

Finally, restart the NixOS service with the following command:

sudo systemctl restart nixos.service

Step 5: Access Socialhome

Once the installation and configuration process is complete, you can access the Socialhome web interface by visiting http://<IP_address>:8000/socialhome/ or https://<your_domain_name>/socialhome/ if you enabled SSL.

That's it! You have successfully installed Socialhome on NixOS Latest.

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!