CfgMgmtCamp 2026 Ghent

Reproducible C++ Development Environments with Nix
2026-02-02, 16:00–16:50, B.1.036

This talk introduces how Nix-based tools (nix-shell, devenv, and flox) can create reproducible, portable, and team-friendly C++ development environments. Through practical examples, we’ll see how each of these tools work and help eliminate “It Works On My Machine” problems.


Modern C++ development often demands consistent toolchains, reproducible builds, and seamless onboarding, goals that traditional environment-setup methods struggle to meet. In this talk, we explore how Nix and related tools can transform the way you manage C++ development environments. We begin with nix-shell, examining how it provides fully reproducible, declarative build and runtime environments without polluting your system. From there, we introduce devenv, a higher-level workflow tool built on Nix that simplifies environment configuration for teams, integrates services, and improves day-to-day developer experience. Finally, we look at flox, a more user-friendly and collaborative approach to managing Nix-based environments across machines and teams. Through practical examples and comparisons, you’ll learn how these tools help eliminate “It Works On My Machine” problems.

My interests have varied over the years, but tech has always been a constant. During my electrical engineering studies, I initially gravitated toward electronics. However, along the way, I discovered the joy of programming and have been immersed in it ever since.

Currently, I am interested in Nix, virtual reality, and open-source software and hardware. I’m always eager to learn new and interesting programming languages, tools, frameworks, and architectures, such as RISC-V. The only thing that limits me in this pursuit is time.