NixOS 26.05, codenamed “Yarara,” was released on August 20, 2026, adding 20,442 new packages, updating 20,641 existing packages, and removing 17,532 outdated ones [1, 2]. The release features 85 new modules and 1,547 new configuration options while removing 25 obsolete modules and 355 configuration options [1, 2].
Significantly, Stage 1 (initrd) now uses systemd by default, replacing the prior scripted implementation, which is deprecated [1, 2]. The release also upgrades the GNOME desktop environment to version 50 and updates the GCC compiler to version 15, with LLVM remaining at version 21 [1, 2].
Development of NixOS 26.05 involved 2,842 contributors making 59,703 commits since the last release [2]. The prior stable release, 25.11 “Xantusia,” reached end-of-life on June 30, 2026, ending its security update cycle [2].
“NixOS 26.05 will be supported with bugfix and security updates until December 31, 2026,” according to the project [2]. This version will be the last to support x86_64-darwin architecture; all builds and support will cease after 26.05 reaches end of support [2].
“We are very proud to announce the public availability of NixOS 26.05 ‘Yarara,’ ” said contributors yayayayaka and jopejoe1 [2].
Users and administrators are advised to plan upgrades ahead of the December 31, 2026, end of official support for this release.