---
name: SOLNIX-USER
description: Install and run software on Solnix from the signed binary cache. Use when the task is to get a package onto an illumos/Solnix machine, configure the cache, or find what's available.
---

# Solnix for users

Solnix is **illumos built with Nix**: you install software the Nix way, from a
signed binary cache, onto an illumos system (SMF, ZFS, zones).

## Find a package (don't guess)

```
# MCP (best): solnix_search {"query":"openssh","kinds":["packages"]}
curl 'https://solnix.io/api/v1/packages?q=openssh'
```
Or the search UI: <https://search.solnix.io/>.

## Configure the cache

Add the substituter + its public key to your Nix config:

```
substituters = https://cache.solnix.io
trusted-public-keys = cache.solnix.io-1:8UNrVAOSOrI9PGHc8/pD2Yqp265ZeYb3OId+gv4+wm8=
```

## Install

```
nix profile install git+https://git.solnix.io/solnix.git#<pkg>
```

- Default branch = the latest supported **edition** (e.g. `26.11`).
- Bleeding edge: `git+https://git.solnix.io/solnix.git?ref=unstable#<pkg>`.
- Pin exactly: append `?rev=<commit-sha>`.

## Supported systems

`x86_64-solaris` is primary and populated; `aarch64-solaris` is coming up.
Check live counts: `list_systems` (MCP) or `GET /api/v1/systems`.

## Reality check

A headless install image (TUI, wifi) is in dev-preview; a GPU-driven desktop is
not shipping yet. See <https://solnix.io/download>. Don't claim more than the
status page does.