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My NixOs 23.05 environment, KDE & Nvidia, AMD && Intel

My NixOS GNOME 24.05 available
https://github.com/tolgaerok/nixos-2405-gnome

sudo nix-channel --add https://channels.nixos.org/nixos-23.11 nixos
sudo nixos-rebuild boot --upgrade
  • You probably get some errors and warnings here that you need to take care off
  • Do so and repeat until the above command succeeds
sudo shutdown -r now

desktop

HP
Device Specification
BLUE-TOOTH REALTEK 5G
CPU Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz x 8 (Haswell)
GPU NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030/PCIe/SSE2
MODEL HP EliteDesk 800 G1 SFF
MOTHERBOARD Intel® Q87
NETWORK Intel Corporation Wi-Fi 6 AX210/AX211/AX411 160MHz
RAM 28 GB DDR3
SATA SAMSUNG SSD 870 EVO 500GB

system upgrades

  • Add this into the configuration file if you have issues with Nvidia
system.autoUpgrade.enable = true;
system.autoUpgrade.allowReboot = false;
boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages_6_5; # Use pkgs.linuxPackages_6_5 if nvidia drivers fail, use pkgs.linuxPackages_latest if nvidia drivers work on "latest"!
system.autoUpgrade.channel = "https://channels.nixos.org/nixos-23.11";

1. Clone

# Tolga Erok
# 14/7/2023
# Post Nixos setup!
# ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

cd $HOME
nix-env -iA nixos.git
git clone https://github.com/tolgaerok/nixos-kde.git
cd nixos-kde
sudo cp /etc/nixos/configuration.nix /etc/nixos/configuration.nix.bak
sudo rsync -av --exclude='.git' ./* /etc/nixos
sudo chown -R $(whoami):$(id -gn) /etc/nixos
sudo chmod -R 777 /etc/nixos
sudo chmod +x /etc/nixos/*
export NIXPKGS_ALLOW_INSECURE=1

2. Create symlink for this host or the machine you prefer

sudo ln -s nixos /etc/nixos
ln -s nixos/machines/HP-i7-EliteDesk-800-G1-SFF/EliteDesk-800-G1-configuration.nix
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --upgrade
There’s no need to symlink - /etc/nixos/configuration.nix 
is just the default location, and you can change it. 
When you run nixos-rebuild, it looks up the value of “nixos-config” in the
NIX_PATH environment variable, so you can point that wherever you want. 
Example (as root):

export NIX_PATH="nixos-config=/path/to/configuration.nix"
nixos-rebuild switch

nixpkgs

home-manager

# Clone repo into source dir
mkdir -p ~/s
cd ~/s
git clone https://github.com/tolgaerok/nixos-kde.git
mkdir -p ~/.config
ln -s ~/s/nixos-kde/home-manager ~/.config/home-manager

nix-channel --add https://github.com/nix-community/home-manager/archive/master.tar.gz home-manager
nix-channel --update

nix-shell '<home-manager>' -A install

Table of Contents

Custom configuration
[ ✔ ] Kernel Optimization
[ ✔ ] Custom nixos configuration
Enabled / Disabled services
[ ✔ ] Hardware
[ ✔ ] Programs
[ ✔ ] Services
[ ✔ ] System
[ ✔ ] Virtualisation
How to section:
[ ✔ ] Clone NixOS & edit (custom) configuration.nix
Configuring GPU Drivers in my NixOS
[ ✔ ] Configuring GPU
Enhancing User Profile Permissions
[ ✔ ] Configuring Profile Permissions
Enhancing System settings
[ ✔ ] Configuring core System settings
Final step
[ ✔ ] Execute nixos-rebuild switch

Pre-production release !!

Greetings fellow NixOS users! If you're a proud owner of a system equipped desktop with a Nvidia or a laptop with Intel GPU drivers, and your heart beats for the sleekness of KDE Plasma, then this custom configuration has been meticulously crafted with you in mind. My ongoing commitment to updates and fixes ensures that your experience remains top-notch.

It's important to note that, for the time being, I've chosen to disable Wayland in favor of prioritizing Plasma 5 and X11 integration. This emphasis guarantees a seamless and stable experience within the KDE Plasma ecosystem.

Now, let's dive into the exciting lineup I have prepared for you. With just a single command – sudo nixos-rebuild switch – you'll unlock a treasure trove of meticulously chosen packages that will transform your NixOS journey.

What exactly does this collection encompass, you ask? Well, it's a finely curated selection of essential software, spanning a diverse array of categories. I've got you covered with:

- Archive utilities to effortlessly handle compression and decompression tasks.
- Multimedia tools that pave the way for a vibrant and immersive audio-visual experience.
- Programming languages to fuel your coding endeavors and innovation.
- Office suites that facilitate productivity, organization, and creativity.
- System utilities that provide essential maintenance and management capabilities.

You'll find my selection of handpicked packages available right here. All of them will be conveniently installed on your NixOS.

These handpicked packages aren't just a random assortment; they're designed to amplify your NixOS adventure, making your system feel complete and your activities seamless. Whether you're crafting code, crafting content, or simply navigating daily tasks, this selection equips you with a versatile toolkit ready for immediate utilization.

So, why the wait? Execute the command, and watch as these packages weave their magic into your NixOS environment. My dedication to providing you with an enriched and functional experience shines through each and every package choice.

Embrace this pre-production release as a sneak peek into the exciting journey ahead. I'm thrilled to have you on board as we explore the NixOS realm together, enhancing and refining the KDE Plasma experience with every step.

Stay tuned for ongoing updates, improvements, and further customization that will ensure your NixOS setup remains at the forefront of innovation and performance. Your adventure with NixOS and KDE Plasma starts here – with a configuration built from an enthusiast, for enthusiasts.

Enhancing User Experience through Kernel Optimization

In the pursuit of an even smoother computing journey, I've delved into the realm of kernel optimization. By fine-tuning how data flows from memory to disk, we can wield significant influence over the performance and responsiveness of our systems. These adjustments aren't just about technical tweaks; they're about crafting an environment that elevates our user experience.

Imagine having the ability to optimize memory usage, fine-tune disk writeback behavior, and even tailor network settings. These kernel tweaks transcend the mundane, offering a deeper level of control over the low-level aspects of our system's behavior. Through this journey of exploration and customization, we're not just configuring a machine; we're sculpting an environment that responds to our needs and aspirations.

{
  boot.kernel.sysctl = {
    "kernel.sysrq" = 1;                       # SysRQ for is rebooting their machine properly if it freezes: SOURCE: https://oglo.dev/tutorials/sysrq/index.html
    "net.core.rmem_default" = 16777216;       # Default socket receive buffer size, improve network performance & applications that use sockets
    "net.core.rmem_max" = 16777216;           # Maximum socket receive buffer size, determin the amount of data that can be buffered in memory for network operations
    "net.core.wmem_default" = 16777216;       # Default socket send buffer size, improve network performance & applications that use sockets
    "net.core.wmem_max" = 16777216;           # Maximum socket send buffer size, determin the amount of data that can be buffered in memory for network operations
    "net.ipv4.tcp_keepalive_intvl" = 30;      # TCP keepalive interval between probes, TCP keepalive probes, which are used to detect if a connection is still alive.
    "net.ipv4.tcp_keepalive_probes" = 5;      # TCP keepalive probes, TCP keepalive probes, which are used to detect if a connection is still alive.
    "net.ipv4.tcp_keepalive_time" = 300;      # TCP keepalive interval (seconds), TCP keepalive probes, which are used to detect if a connection is still alive.
    "vm.dirty_background_bytes" = 268435456;  # 256 MB in bytes, data that has been modified in memory and needs to be written to disk
    "vm.dirty_bytes" = 1073741824;            # 1 GB in bytes, data that has been modified in memory and needs to be written to disk
    "vm.min_free_kbytes" = 65536;             # Minimum free memory for safety (in KB), can help prevent memory exhaustion situations
    "vm.swappiness" = 1;                      # how aggressively the kernel swaps data from RAM to disk. Lower values prioritize keeping data in RAM,
    "vm.vfs_cache_pressure" = 50;             # Adjust vfs_cache_pressure (0-1000), how the kernel reclaims memory used for caching filesystem objects
  };

Detailed information ─>> here.

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Syncing User Home Folder to a Specified Destination

One of the key scripts I've developed is a custom synchronization script. This script allows me to effortlessly sync my user home folder to a specified destination. By running this script, I can ensure that all my important files and configurations are backed up and accessible from any location. This is particularly helpful when I switch machines or need to restore my settings after a fresh installation.

Assisting with Mounting, Unmounting, and Suspending

To streamline my workflow, I've also developed a set of personal scripts that assist me with mounting, unmounting, and suspending operations. These scripts automate common tasks, saving me time and effort in managing external drives or suspending my system when I step away. By executing these scripts, I can perform these operations with just a single command, making my workflow more efficient.

Calling Common NixOS Commands with a Custom Script

To further simplify my interactions with NixOS, I've developed a custom script that encapsulates the most frequently used commands. With this script, I can quickly execute common tasks such as updating the system, installing packages, or configuring services. This saves me the hassle of remembering or typing out lengthy commands each time I need to perform these operations.

1

Custom nixos configuration:

Hardware

Hardware Enable Description
driSupport true Enable accelerated OpenGL rendering through the Direct Rendering Interface (DRI).
driSupport32Bit true On 64-bit systems, whether to support Direct Rendering for 32-bit applications.
plymouth false Enable Plymouth boot splash screen.
sane false Enable support for SANE scanners.
brscan4 false Automatically register the "brscan4" sane backend and bring configuration files to their expected location.

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Programs

Programs Enable Description
adb true Whether to configure system to use Android Debug Bridge (adb).
command-not-found true Whether interactive shells should show which Nix package (if any) provides a missing command.
dconf true Enable dconf.
firefox true Enable the Firefox web browser.
fish true Whether to configure fish as an interactive shell.
git true Enable git.
gnupg.agent true Enables GnuPG agent with socket-activation for every user session.
java true Install and setup the Java development kit.
kdeconnect true Enable kdeconnect.
mtr true Whether to add mtr to the global environment and configure a setcap wrapper for it.
partition-manager true Enable KDE Partition Manager.
corectrl false Enable A tool to overclock amd graphics cards and processors.
htop false Enable htop process monitor.
steam false Enable steam.

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Services

Service Enable Description
fstrim true Enable periodic SSD TRIM of mounted partitions in background.
mysql true Enable MySQL server (MariaDB).
pipewire true Enable pipewire service.
postgresql true Enable PostgreSQL Server.
power-profiles-daemon false DBus daemon that allows changing system behavior based upon user-selected power profiles.
printing true Enable printing support through the CUPS daemon.
redis true An open source, advanced key-value store.
sddm true Enable sddm as the display manager.
udev true Enable udev.
udisks2 true DBus service that allows applications to query and manipulate storage devices.
xserver true Enable the X server.
avahi false Allows Avahi clients to use Avahi's service discovery facilities.
mongodb false Enable MongoDB Server.
metabase false Enable Metabase service.
openssh false OpenSSH secure shell daemon, which allows secure remote logins.
thermald false Enable thermald, the temperature management daemon.
tlp false Enable the TLP power management daemon.

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System

System Enable Description
allowUnfree true The configuration of the Nix Packages collection to allow unfree packages.
auto-optimise-store true Replaces files in the store that have identical contents with hard links to a single copy.
bluetooth true Enable support for Bluetooth.
doas true Enable the doas command, which allows non-root users to execute commands as root.
firewall false This is a simple stateful firewall that blocks connection attempts to unauthorised TCP or UDP ports on this machine.
networkmanager true Obtain an IP address and other configuration for all network interfaces that are not manually configured.
nix.gc.automatic true Automatically run the garbage collector at a specific time.
nix.optimise true Automatically run the nix store optimiser at a specific time.
powerManagement false Enable power management. This includes support for suspend-to-RAM and powersave features on laptops.
rtkit true Enable the RealtimeKit system service, which hands out realtime scheduling priority to user processes on demand.
useTmpfs true Whether to mount a tmpfs on /tmp during boot.
zramSwap true Enable in-memory compressed devices and swap space provided by the zram kernel module.
allowReboot false Reboot the system into the new generation instead of a switch.
autoUpgrade false Whether to periodically upgrade NixOS to the latest version.
documentation.doc false Whether to install documentation distributed in packages' /share/doc.
documentation.info false Whether to install info pages and the info command. This also includes "info" outputs.
documentation.nixos false Whether to install NixOS's own documentation.
iwd false Enable iwd.
oomd false Whether to disable the systemd-oomd OOM killer.
pulseaudio false Enable the PulseAudio sound server.
useOSProber true If set to true, append entries for other OSs detected by os-prober.
xdg.portal.lxqt false Enable the desktop portal for the LXQt desktop environment.
xdg.portal.wlr false Enable desktop portal for wlroots-based desktops.

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Virtualisation

Virtualisation Enable Description
docker false This option enables docker, a daemon that manages linux containers.

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How to section

Clone NixOS Configuration Repository and Apply Permissions

Open Dolphin and go to your:

  - home directory
  - press F4 

Advanced users: If your confident with the use of the termnal, you can simply copy and paste the following and hit return. Or if you want to learn and get a feel for some manaul steps, skip this and go to Step 1:

# Tolga Erok
# 14/7/2023
# Post Nixos setup!
# ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

cd $HOME
nix-env -iA nixos.git
git clone https://github.com/tolgaerok/nixos.git
cd nixos
sudo rsync -av --exclude='.git' ./* /etc/nixos
sudo chown -R $(whoami):$(id -gn) /etc/nixos
sudo chmod -R 777 /etc/nixos
sudo cp /etc/nixos/configuration.nix /etc/nixos/configuration.nix.bak
kate /etc/nixos/configuration.nix
export NIXPKGS_ALLOW_INSECURE=1

Step 1:

Install basic git, download my NixOS.zip repository, unzip, open nixos-main folder

Step 1: Install git

nix-env -iA nixos.git

Step 2: Clone my repository

git clone https://github.com/tolgaerok/nixos.git

Step 3: Unzip the downloaded file

  cd nixos

Step 2:

Copy the contents of the cloned "nixos" folder to /etc/nixos Note: This will exclude the hidden .git folder

sudo rsync -av --exclude='.git' ./* /etc/nixos

Step 3:

Set appropriate ownership and permissions

Step 1:

sudo chown -R $(whoami):$(id -gn) /etc/nixos

Step 2:

sudo chmod -R 777 /etc/nixos

Backup your original configuration.nix file

sudo cp /etc/nixos/configuration.nix /etc/nixos/configuration.nix.bak

Step 4:

If you're using the command line or terminal, you can open the configuration.nix file using a text editor called nano. Here's how:

  • Open a terminal on your NixOS system.

  • To open the configuration.nix file using the nano text editor, type the following command:

nano /etc/nixos/configuration.nix
  • This will open the configuration.nix file in the nano editor, allowing you to make changes. Navigate to the appropriate location and add or modify the lines as needed.

  • After making your changes, press Ctrl + O to save the changes, then press Enter. To exit nano, press Ctrl + X.

If you prefer to use the graphical text editor Kate, you can follow these steps:

  • Open a terminal on your NixOS system.

  • To open the configuration.nix file using Kate, type the following command:

kate /etc/nixos/configuration.nix
  • This will open the configuration.nix file in the Kate editor. You can navigate to the desired location and make changes directly in the graphical interface.

Locate the imports section in the file. It will look like this:

This is the default layout on new install

 imports =
 [ # Include the results of the hardware scan.
   ./hardware-configuration.nix
 ];

Add the desired lines just before the closing square bracket ]. Make sure to maintain the indentation. Here's how it should look after adding the lines:

imports = [ 
   # ./hardware/gpu/intel/intel-laptop                     # INTEL GPU with (Open-GL), tlp and auto-cpufreq
   # ./hardware/gpu/nvidia/nvidia-stable/nvidia-stable.nix  # NVIDIA stable for GT-710--
   # ./hardware/gpu/nvidia/nvidia-opengl/nvidia-opengl.nix  # NVIDIA with hardware acceleration (Open-GL) for GT-1030++
    ./hardware-configuration.nix
    ./nix
    ./packages
    ./programs
    ./services
    ./system
  ];

# Including this
nixpkgs.config.permittedInsecurePackages = [ "openssl-1.1.1v" ];
  • After making your changes, save the file using the appropriate option in the Kate menu.

Keep in mind that nano is a terminal-based text editor, while Kate is a graphical text editor. You can choose the one that you're more comfortable with. Additionally, when using graphical editors like Kate, be sure to launch them with sudo to have the necessary permissions to edit system files.

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Configuring GPU Drivers in NixOS

If you're looking to configure GPU drivers on your NixOS system, follow these steps to choose the appropriate driver based on your hardware:

  1. Open configuration.nix File:

    Open a terminal and navigate to your NixOS configuration directory. Use either of the following methods to open the configuration.nix file:

    • Using nano:
      sudo nano /etc/nixos/configuration.nix
    • Using Kate Text Editor:
      kate /etc/nixos/configuration.nix
  2. Locate GPU Driver Options:

    After successfully adding the required lines from Step 4, in the configuration.nix file, scroll down until you find the imports = [ section. This section is usually located near the beginning of the file and should looks like this now:

imports = [ 
   # ./hardware/gpu/intel/intel-laptop                      # INTEL GPU with (Open-GL), tlp and auto-cpufreq
   # ./hardware/gpu/nvidia/nvidia-stable/nvidia-stable.nix  # NVIDIA stable for GT-710--
   # ./hardware/gpu/nvidia/nvidia-opengl/nvidia-opengl.nix  # NVIDIA with hardware acceleration (Open-GL) for GT-1030++
    ./hardware-configuration.nix
    ./nix
    ./packages
    ./programs
    ./services
    ./system
  ];

# Including this
nixpkgs.config.permittedInsecurePackages = [ "openssl-1.1.1v" ];

The top few lines in the imports = [ ... ] line, you will find the GPU driver options section. It will look like this:

# ./hardware/gpu/intel/intel-laptop                      # INTEL GPU with (Open-GL), tlp and auto-cpufreq
# ./hardware/gpu/nvidia/nvidia-stable/nvidia-stable.nix  # NVIDIA stable for GT-710--
# ./hardware/gpu/nvidia/nvidia-opengl/nvidia-opengl.nix  # NVIDIA with hardware acceleration (Open-GL) for GT-1030++
  1. Choose Your GPU Driver:

    Depending on your hardware, you can choose the appropriate GPU driver option. Each option is followed by a brief description of its use case. Comment out (add # at the beginning of the line) the lines for GPU drivers you don't need. For example, if you have an Intel GPU, comment out the lines related to NVIDIA drivers.

    For example, if you have an Intel GPU and want to use the Intel driver, it should look like:

   imports = [ 
   ./hardware/gpu/intel/intel-laptop                      # INTEL GPU with (Open-GL), tlp and auto-cpufreq
   # ./hardware/gpu/nvidia/nvidia-stable/nvidia-stable.nix  # NVIDIA stable for GT-710--
   # ./hardware/gpu/nvidia/nvidia-opengl/nvidia-opengl.nix  # NVIDIA with hardware acceleration (Open-GL) for GT-1030++
    ./hardware-configuration.nix
    ./nix
    ./packages
    ./programs
    ./services
    ./system
  ];

# Including this
nixpkgs.config.permittedInsecurePackages = [ "openssl-1.1.1v" ];
  1. Save and Apply Changes:

    After making your choice, save the changes to the configuration.nix file. If you used nano, press Ctrl + O to write the changes and then Ctrl + X to exit. If you used Kate, simply close the editor.

By following these steps, you can easily configure GPU drivers on your NixOS system according to your hardware setup. Remember to regularly check for updates and changes in the driver options based on your hardware requirements.

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Elevating Your NixOS Experience: Enhancing User Profile Permissions

Welcome to the realm of NixOS customization! As you navigate the intricacies of your NixOS system, you might find the need to empower your user profile with enhanced permissions, allowing you to seamlessly interact with various components of the platform. By following these steps, you'll empower your user-profile with an enriched profile that includes extended permissions and group memberships.

Here's how you can achieve just that:

  1. Open configuration.nix File:

    Open a terminal and navigate to your NixOS configuration directory. Use either of the following methods to open the configuration.nix file:

    • Using nano:
      sudo nano /etc/nixos/configuration.nix
    • Using Kate Text Editor:
      kate /etc/nixos/configuration.nix
  2. Locate Your User Profile Section

Within the configuration.nix file, you'll discover a section dedicated to your user profile. This portion, often resembling the following structure, encapsulates your user-specific settings:

users.users.username = {
  isNormalUser = true;
  description = "User's Full Name";
  extraGroups = [ "wheel" "networkmanager" ];
};
  1. Enhance Your Profile's Capabilities

It's here that the magic unfolds. After the description line in your user profile section, you'll introduce a set of configurations designed to amplify your permissions and enrich your interactions within NixOS. Simply copy & paste where the indicators are:

users.users.username = {
  isNormalUser = true;
  description = "User's Full Name";

  homeMode = "0755";        # <-----  Copy from here
  uid = 1000;  # Replace with your specific UID
  extraGroups = [
    "adbusers"
    "audio"
    "corectrl"
    "disk"
    "input"
    "lp"
    "mongodb"
    "mysql"
    "network"
    "networkmanager"
    "postgres"
    "power"
    "scanner"
    "sound"
    "systemd-journal"
    "users"
    "video"
    "wheel"      
  ];
  packages = [ pkgs.home-manager ];   # <-----  To here

};

These lines of code not only bestow you with enhanced permissions, but they also extend your access to specific groups that define various aspects of NixOS functionality. With the inclusion of pkgs.home-manager, your configuration takes a step towards seamless management of your user settings.

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System Enhancements

To effortlessly amplify your NixOS system, consider integrating this snippet below the audio configuration. It’s a quick process that will bring a host of automatic upgrades and system enhancements into play:

Note: Do not over write or leave out system.stateVersion = "23.05";

# --------------------------------------------------------------------
# Automated System Enhancements
# --------------------------------------------------------------------

# Enable automatic system upgrades and reboots if necessary
system.autoUpgrade.enable = true;
# system.autoUpgrade.allowReboot = true;
system.copySystemConfiguration = true;
systemd.extraConfig = "DefaultTimeoutStopSec=10s";

This simple snippet wields great power. It introduces automatic system upgrades and, if required, seamless reboots. By enabling system.autoUpgrade, you let your NixOS stay up to date effortlessly. With system.copySystemConfiguration, system enhancements become a part of your experience. The systemd.extraConfig adds a touch of efficiency to stop sequences.

  1. Swift Copy-Paste

Integrating the above snippet is as swift as its enhancements. Just copy the snippet beneath your audio configuration in your configuration.nix file.

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nixos-rebuild switch

After adding all the configurations above, save the configuration.nix file. To apply the changes, execute the following command in your terminal:

export NIXPKGS_ALLOW_INSECURE=1
sudo nixos-rebuild switch --upgrade

This command will update your system with the new GPU driver, audio, system and user profile configurations. If this is your first rebuild from this repository, the required files and services will now start to install.

If this is your first rebuild along with the GPU driver selection, the overall process WILL take some time, so, grab a cuppa and enjoy the ride!

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Conclusion

In this blog post, I've highlighted some of the key components of my GitHub environment. From syncing my user home folder to developing scripts for mounting, unmounting, and suspending, to customizing my NixOS configuration file with Bluetooth variables and creating a script for common NixOS commands, these tools greatly enhance my productivity and simplify my workflow.

If you're interested in exploring these scripts or incorporating them into your own environment, feel free to check out my GitHub repository. I hope you find them useful and they inspire you to create your own custom solutions to enhance your development experience!

Happy coding! 😄

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