The NixOS project has shipped version 26.05, codenamed Yarara, marking a notable shift in how the declarative Linux distribution handles early boot. The new release flips the default initrd implementation to systemd stage 1, deprecating the older scripted initrd that has served the project for years. The scripted variant remains available but is scheduled for removal in NixOS 26.11.
The release also signals the end of the road for Apple's older Intel-based Macs. NixOS 26.05 is the last version of Nixpkgs that will support the x86_64-darwin platform. Binaries will continue to be built through the end of 2026, when 26.05 reaches end of life, but starting with 26.11 the project will no longer build packages for that target or support compiling them from source. The maintainers cite Apple's own deprecation of the platform, alongside limited build infrastructure and developer time, as the reason.
On the desktop side, GNOME has jumped to version 50, codenamed Tokyo, which the GNOME project's release notes describe as bringing accessibility improvements and refinements to display handling. NixOS users running the graphical installer pick up the new GNOME by default, while those building custom configurations through Nix can pin earlier versions as needed.
Yarara will receive bug fixes and security updates for seven months, with support ending 2026-12-31. The previous release, 25.11 Xantusia, is now deprecated and stops receiving security updates after 2026-06-30. Installation images are available from the NixOS download page, with the graphical ISO weighing in at roughly 3.5 GB and the minimal ISO around 1.6 GB. The full release announcement covers the rest of the platform changes.
