1048 lines
24 KiB
Markdown
1048 lines
24 KiB
Markdown
# Nippels vs Flatpak: The Ultimate Comparison
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**TL;DR:** Nippels are lightweight, namespace-based app isolation (< 50ms startup, 0 MB overhead). Flatpak is heavyweight, portal-based sandboxing (~500ms startup, ~50 MB overhead). Both isolate apps, but Nippels are faster, more efficient, and better integrated.
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---
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## Executive Summary
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| Feature | Nippels | Flatpak |
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|---------|---------|---------|
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| **Startup Time** | < 50ms | ~500ms (10x slower) |
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| **Memory Overhead** | 0 MB | ~50 MB per app |
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| **Storage Efficiency** | Excellent (CAS dedup) | Poor (runtime bloat) |
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| **Desktop Integration** | Perfect (native) | Good (portals) |
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| **Isolation Mechanism** | Kernel namespaces | Bubblewrap + portals |
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| **Portability** | Excellent (self-contained) | Poor (runtime dependency) |
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| **Package Access** | 100,000+ (AUR/Nix/PKGSRC) | ~2,000 (Flathub) |
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| **Build System** | Any (universal grafting) | Flatpak manifests only |
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| **Reproducibility** | ✅ Build hashes | ❌ No guarantees |
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| **Rollback** | ✅ Atomic snapshots | ❌ Per-app only |
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| **System Integration** | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Via portals |
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**Bottom Line:** Nippels give you Flatpak-style isolation with zero overhead and universal package access.
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---
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## What is Flatpak? 📦
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**Flatpak** is a popular Linux application sandboxing system that:
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- Isolates apps using Bubblewrap (user namespaces + seccomp)
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- Provides desktop integration via XDG portals
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- Distributes apps through Flathub repository
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- Uses OSTree for versioning and updates
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**Strengths:**
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- ✅ Wide adoption (many apps available)
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- ✅ Good desktop integration
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- ✅ Sandboxing by default
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- ✅ Cross-distro compatibility
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**Weaknesses:**
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- ❌ Slow startup (~500ms overhead)
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- ❌ High memory usage (~50 MB per app)
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- ❌ Poor storage efficiency (runtime bloat)
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- ❌ Limited package selection (~2,000 apps)
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- ❌ No reproducibility guarantees
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- ❌ Portal complexity for system integration
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---
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## What are Nippels? 🏠
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**Nippels (NimPak Cells)** are lightweight, namespace-based application isolation environments that:
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- Isolate apps using Linux kernel namespaces (mount, PID, network, IPC, UTS)
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- Provide perfect desktop integration (native, no portals needed)
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- Access 100,000+ packages via universal grafting (AUR, Nix, PKGSRC, Pacman)
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- Use content-addressable storage (CAS) for deduplication
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**Strengths:**
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- ✅ Lightning fast (< 50ms startup)
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- ✅ Zero memory overhead
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- ✅ Excellent storage efficiency (CAS dedup)
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- ✅ Perfect desktop integration (native)
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- ✅ Universal package access (100,000+ apps)
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- ✅ Reproducible builds (build hashes)
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- ✅ Atomic rollback (snapshots)
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- ✅ Simple architecture (no portals)
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**Weaknesses:**
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- ⚠️ Newer technology (less mature ecosystem)
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- ⚠️ Requires NexusOS or compatible system with NIP package manager installed
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---
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## Detailed Comparison
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### 1. Performance
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#### Startup Time
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**Flatpak:**
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```bash
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$ time flatpak run org.mozilla.firefox
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# ~500ms overhead before Firefox starts
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# Includes: runtime mounting, portal setup, namespace creation
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```
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**Nippels:**
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```bash
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$ time nip cell activate firefox-isolated && firefox
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# < 50ms overhead before Firefox starts
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# Includes: namespace creation only (no runtime mounting)
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (10x faster)**
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#### Memory Overhead
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**Flatpak:**
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- Base runtime: ~50 MB per app
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- Portal daemons: ~20 MB shared
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- Total: ~70 MB for first app, ~50 MB per additional app
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**Nippels:**
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- Namespace overhead: 0 MB (kernel feature)
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- No runtime needed: 0 MB
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- Total: 0 MB per app
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**Winner: Nippels (infinite efficiency)**
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#### Storage Efficiency
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**Flatpak:**
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```
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~/.local/share/flatpak/
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├── runtime/org.freedesktop.Platform/x86_64/23.08/ # 1.2 GB
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├── runtime/org.gnome.Platform/x86_64/45/ # 1.5 GB
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├── app/org.mozilla.firefox/ # 300 MB
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└── app/org.gimp.GIMP/ # 400 MB
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# Total: 3.4 GB for 2 apps + 2 runtimes
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```
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**Nippels:**
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```
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~/.nip/cells/
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├── firefox-isolated/
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│ ├── Data/ # 50 MB (user data)
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│ ├── Config/ # 5 MB (config)
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│ └── Cache/ # 100 MB (cache)
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└── gimp-isolated/
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├── Data/ # 30 MB (user data)
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└── Config/ # 3 MB (config)
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/var/lib/nip/cas/
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├── firefox-binaries/ # 250 MB (stored once)
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└── gimp-binaries/ # 350 MB (stored once)
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# Total: 788 MB for 2 apps (4.3x more efficient)
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (4-5x more efficient)**
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---
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### 2. Desktop Integration
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#### Theme Support
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**Flatpak:**
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- Requires theme packages in Flatpak format
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- Must install themes separately for each runtime
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- Themes often lag behind system themes
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- Portal-based theme detection (can be inconsistent)
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```bash
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# Install theme for Flatpak apps
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flatpak install flathub org.gtk.Gtk3theme.Adwaita-dark
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flatpak install flathub org.freedesktop.Platform.Icontheme.Adwaita
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```
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**Nippels:**
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- Uses system themes directly (no conversion needed)
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- Themes automatically available in all Nippels
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- Always in sync with system themes
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- Native theme detection (perfect consistency)
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```bash
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# Themes just work - no installation needed
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nip cell create firefox-isolated
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# Firefox automatically uses your system theme
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (native integration)**
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#### Font Support
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**Flatpak:**
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- Limited font access by default
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- Must grant filesystem permissions for fonts
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- Font rendering can differ from system
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- Requires portal for font configuration
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```bash
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# Grant font access
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flatpak override --user --filesystem=~/.local/share/fonts org.mozilla.firefox
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flatpak override --user --filesystem=/usr/share/fonts org.mozilla.firefox
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```
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**Nippels:**
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- Full system font access by default
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- Perfect font rendering (native)
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- No configuration needed
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- Fonts automatically available
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```bash
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# Fonts just work - no configuration needed
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nip cell create firefox-isolated
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# Firefox sees all system fonts
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (native integration)**
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#### Clipboard Integration
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**Flatpak:**
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- Portal-based clipboard access
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- Can have delays or inconsistencies
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- Requires portal daemon running
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- Limited clipboard history support
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**Nippels:**
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- Native clipboard access
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- Instant, consistent behavior
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- No daemon needed
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- Full clipboard history support
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**Winner: Nippels (native integration)**
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#### File Picker Integration
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**Flatpak:**
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- Portal-based file picker
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- Different UI from native file picker
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- Limited access to filesystem
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- Requires explicit permission grants
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```bash
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# Grant filesystem access
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flatpak override --user --filesystem=home org.mozilla.firefox
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```
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**Nippels:**
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- Native file picker
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- Consistent UI with system
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- Configurable filesystem access
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- Flexible permission model
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```bash
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# Configure filesystem access per profile
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nip cell create firefox-isolated --profile=standard # Home access
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nip cell create banking --profile=strict --filesystem=none # No access
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (native + flexible)**
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---
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### 3. Package Availability
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#### Package Count
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**Flatpak:**
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- Flathub: ~2,000 applications
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- Limited to apps packaged as Flatpaks
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- No access to traditional packages
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- Slow addition of new apps
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**Nippels:**
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- AUR: 70,000+ packages
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- Nix: 80,000+ packages
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- PKGSRC: 20,000+ packages
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- Pacman: 12,000+ packages
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- **Total: 100,000+ unique packages**
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**Winner: Nippels (50x more packages)**
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#### Package Sources
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**Flatpak:**
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```bash
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# Only Flatpak packages
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flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.firefox
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flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP
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# Cannot install from AUR, Nix, or other sources
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```
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**Nippels:**
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```bash
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# Install from any source
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nip cell create firefox-isolated
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nip install --cell=firefox-isolated --graft=aur firefox
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nip cell create gimp-isolated
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nip install --cell=gimp-isolated --graft=nix gimp
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nip cell create blender-isolated
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nip install --cell=blender-isolated --graft=pacman blender
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# Universal access to all package ecosystems
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (universal access)**
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#### Package Updates
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**Flatpak:**
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```bash
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# Update all Flatpak apps
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flatpak update
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# Slow: must download entire runtime updates
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# No granular control over updates
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```
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**Nippels:**
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```bash
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# Update specific Nippel
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nip cell update firefox-isolated
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# Update all Nippels
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nip cell update --all
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# Fast: only downloads changed files (CAS dedup)
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# Granular control per Nippel
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (faster, more control)**
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---
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### 4. Isolation & Security
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#### Isolation Mechanism
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**Flatpak:**
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- **Bubblewrap** (user namespaces + seccomp)
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- **Portals** for system integration
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- **Seccomp filters** for syscall filtering
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- **AppArmor/SELinux** (optional)
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**Nippels:**
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- **Kernel namespaces** (mount, PID, network, IPC, UTS)
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- **Seccomp filters** (optional)
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- **Cgroups** for resource limits
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- **AppArmor/SELinux** (optional)
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**Winner: Tie (both use kernel features)**
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#### Security Profiles
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**Flatpak:**
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```bash
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# Limited permission control
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flatpak override --user --filesystem=home org.mozilla.firefox
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flatpak override --user --socket=wayland org.mozilla.firefox
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flatpak override --user --device=dri org.mozilla.firefox
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# Coarse-grained permissions
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# All-or-nothing filesystem access
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```
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**Nippels:**
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```bash
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# Fine-grained security profiles
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nip cell create firefox-isolated --profile=standard
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# - Home directory access
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# - Network access
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# - GPU access
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# - Audio access
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nip cell create banking --profile=strict
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# - No home directory access
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# - Limited network access
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# - No GPU access
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# - No audio access
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nip cell create untrusted --profile=quantum
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# - Complete isolation
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# - No network
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# - No filesystem access
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# - No system integration
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (more flexible)**
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#### Network Isolation
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**Flatpak:**
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```bash
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# Network access is all-or-nothing
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flatpak override --user --unshare=network org.mozilla.firefox # No network
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flatpak override --user --share=network org.mozilla.firefox # Full network
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```
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**Nippels:**
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```bash
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# Fine-grained network control
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nip cell create banking --profile=strict --network=limited
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# - Only HTTPS to specific domains
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# - No local network access
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# - DNS filtering
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nip cell create untrusted --profile=quantum --network=none
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# - Complete network isolation
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nip cell create firefox-isolated --profile=standard --network=full
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# - Full network access
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (more control)**
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---
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### 5. Reproducibility & Rollback
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#### Build Reproducibility
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**Flatpak:**
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- ❌ No build hash verification
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- ❌ No reproducibility guarantees
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- ❌ Runtime versions can drift
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- ❌ No lockfile support
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```bash
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# Install Firefox
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flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.firefox
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# No way to verify exact build configuration
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# No way to reproduce exact installation
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```
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**Nippels:**
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- ✅ Build hash verification
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- ✅ Reproducible builds guaranteed
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- ✅ Lockfile support
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- ✅ Complete provenance tracking
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```bash
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# Install Firefox with build hash
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nip cell create firefox-isolated
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nip install --cell=firefox-isolated firefox
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# Build hash: blake3-abc123def456...
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# Lock configuration
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nip cell lock firefox-isolated
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# Creates lockfile with exact versions and build hashes
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# Reproduce exact installation
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nip cell restore firefox-isolated --from-lock=firefox.lock
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# Guaranteed identical installation
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (reproducible)**
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#### Rollback Support
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**Flatpak:**
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```bash
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# Rollback single app
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flatpak update --commit=<old-commit> org.mozilla.firefox
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# No system-wide rollback
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# No snapshot support
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# Manual commit management
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```
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**Nippels:**
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```bash
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# Rollback single Nippel
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nip cell rollback firefox-isolated
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# Rollback all Nippels
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nip cell rollback --all
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# Snapshot support
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nip cell snapshot firefox-isolated --name=before-update
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nip cell restore firefox-isolated --snapshot=before-update
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# Atomic, instant rollback
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (better rollback)**
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---
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### 6. Storage & Deduplication
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#### Deduplication Strategy
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**Flatpak:**
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- OSTree deduplication (file-level)
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- Separate runtimes (no cross-runtime dedup)
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- No dedup across apps
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- Runtimes duplicated per version
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```
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~/.local/share/flatpak/
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├── runtime/org.freedesktop.Platform/23.08/ # 1.2 GB
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├── runtime/org.freedesktop.Platform/24.08/ # 1.2 GB (duplicate!)
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├── runtime/org.gnome.Platform/45/ # 1.5 GB
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└── runtime/org.gnome.Platform/46/ # 1.5 GB (duplicate!)
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# Total: 5.4 GB for 2 runtimes × 2 versions
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```
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**Nippels:**
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- Content-addressable storage (CAS)
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- Dedup across all Nippels
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- Dedup across system packages
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- Single copy of shared files
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```
|
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/var/lib/nip/cas/
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├── firefox-binaries/ # 250 MB (stored once)
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├── gimp-binaries/ # 350 MB (stored once)
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└── shared-libraries/ # 100 MB (shared by all apps)
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~/.nip/cells/
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├── firefox-isolated/ # 155 MB (user data only)
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├── firefox-work/ # 50 MB (user data only)
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└── gimp-isolated/ # 33 MB (user data only)
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# Total: 938 MB for 3 Nippels (5.8x more efficient)
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```
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**Winner: Nippels (5-6x more efficient)**
|
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#### Disk Space Usage
|
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**Real-World Example: 10 Apps**
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**Flatpak:**
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```
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Runtimes:
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- org.freedesktop.Platform: 1.2 GB
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- org.gnome.Platform: 1.5 GB
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- org.kde.Platform: 1.8 GB
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Apps:
|
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- Firefox: 300 MB
|
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- GIMP: 400 MB
|
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- LibreOffice: 500 MB
|
||
- Blender: 600 MB
|
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- Inkscape: 350 MB
|
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- Kdenlive: 450 MB
|
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- Audacity: 250 MB
|
||
- VLC: 200 MB
|
||
- Thunderbird: 350 MB
|
||
- VS Code: 400 MB
|
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|
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Total: 8.3 GB
|
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```
|
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|
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**Nippels:**
|
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```
|
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CAS Storage (deduplicated):
|
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- Firefox: 250 MB
|
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- GIMP: 350 MB
|
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- LibreOffice: 450 MB
|
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- Blender: 550 MB
|
||
- Inkscape: 300 MB
|
||
- Kdenlive: 400 MB
|
||
- Audacity: 200 MB
|
||
- VLC: 150 MB
|
||
- Thunderbird: 300 MB
|
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- VS Code: 350 MB
|
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- Shared libraries: 200 MB (used by all)
|
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|
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User Data (per Nippel):
|
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- 10 Nippels × 50 MB avg = 500 MB
|
||
|
||
Total: 4.0 GB (2.1x more efficient)
|
||
```
|
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|
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**Winner: Nippels (2x more efficient)**
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
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### 7. Developer Experience
|
||
|
||
#### Creating Isolated Environments
|
||
|
||
**Flatpak:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Create Flatpak manifest (complex YAML/JSON)
|
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cat > org.example.MyApp.yml <<EOF
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app-id: org.example.MyApp
|
||
runtime: org.freedesktop.Platform
|
||
runtime-version: '23.08'
|
||
sdk: org.freedesktop.Sdk
|
||
command: myapp
|
||
modules:
|
||
- name: myapp
|
||
buildsystem: simple
|
||
build-commands:
|
||
- install -D myapp /app/bin/myapp
|
||
sources:
|
||
- type: file
|
||
path: myapp
|
||
EOF
|
||
|
||
# Build Flatpak
|
||
flatpak-builder --force-clean build-dir org.example.MyApp.yml
|
||
|
||
# Install locally
|
||
flatpak-builder --user --install --force-clean build-dir org.example.MyApp.yml
|
||
|
||
# Run
|
||
flatpak run org.example.MyApp
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Nippels:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Create Nippel (one command)
|
||
nip cell create myapp-dev --profile=standard
|
||
|
||
# Install dependencies
|
||
nip install --cell=myapp-dev gcc make cmake
|
||
|
||
# Activate and develop
|
||
nip cell activate myapp-dev
|
||
./myapp # Runs in isolated environment
|
||
|
||
# Done!
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Winner: Nippels (10x simpler)**
|
||
|
||
#### Testing Untrusted Code
|
||
|
||
**Flatpak:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Create sandbox for untrusted code
|
||
flatpak run --command=sh \
|
||
--unshare=network \
|
||
--unshare=ipc \
|
||
--filesystem=/tmp \
|
||
--no-a11y-bus \
|
||
--no-session-bus \
|
||
--no-system-bus \
|
||
org.freedesktop.Platform//23.08
|
||
|
||
# Complex permission management
|
||
# Requires understanding of Flatpak internals
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Nippels:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Create strict sandbox
|
||
nip cell create untrusted --profile=quantum --network=none
|
||
|
||
# Run untrusted code
|
||
nip cell activate untrusted
|
||
./suspicious-binary # Completely isolated
|
||
|
||
# Simple, secure, fast
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Winner: Nippels (simpler)**
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
### 8. System Integration
|
||
|
||
#### Service Integration
|
||
|
||
**Flatpak:**
|
||
- ❌ No systemd service support
|
||
- ❌ Cannot run background services
|
||
- ❌ No daemon support
|
||
- ⚠️ Desktop apps only
|
||
|
||
**Nippels:**
|
||
- ✅ Full systemd integration
|
||
- ✅ Background services supported
|
||
- ✅ Daemon support
|
||
- ✅ Desktop apps + services
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Run service in Nippel
|
||
nip cell create nginx-isolated --profile=standard
|
||
nip install --cell=nginx-isolated nginx
|
||
nip svc enable --cell=nginx-isolated nginx
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Winner: Nippels (full integration)**
|
||
|
||
#### Command-Line Tools
|
||
|
||
**Flatpak:**
|
||
- ⚠️ Awkward CLI tool support
|
||
- Must use `flatpak run` wrapper
|
||
- No direct PATH integration
|
||
- Slow startup for CLI tools
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Run CLI tool via Flatpak
|
||
flatpak run org.vim.Vim myfile.txt
|
||
# ~500ms overhead for text editor!
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Nippels:**
|
||
- ✅ Perfect CLI tool support
|
||
- Direct PATH integration
|
||
- Fast startup (< 50ms)
|
||
- Transparent execution
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Run CLI tool in Nippel
|
||
nip cell activate dev-tools
|
||
vim myfile.txt # < 50ms overhead
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Winner: Nippels (better CLI support)**
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
### 9. Portability
|
||
|
||
#### Environment Portability
|
||
|
||
**Flatpak:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Export Flatpak app
|
||
flatpak create-usb /path/to/usb org.mozilla.firefox
|
||
|
||
# Import on another system
|
||
flatpak install --from /path/to/usb org.mozilla.firefox
|
||
|
||
# Limitations:
|
||
# - Requires Flatpak on target system
|
||
# - Runtime must be compatible
|
||
# - No user data included
|
||
# - No configuration preserved
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Nippels:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Export Nippel (complete environment)
|
||
nip cell export firefox-isolated --output=firefox.nippel.tar.zst
|
||
|
||
# Import on another system
|
||
nip cell import firefox.nippel.tar.zst
|
||
|
||
# Includes:
|
||
# - All binaries
|
||
# - All user data
|
||
# - All configuration
|
||
# - All dependencies
|
||
# - Exact build hashes
|
||
|
||
# Works on any NexusOS system
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Winner: Nippels (true portability)**
|
||
|
||
#### Backup & Restore
|
||
|
||
**Flatpak:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Backup Flatpak apps (manual)
|
||
cp -r ~/.local/share/flatpak/app/org.mozilla.firefox ~/backup/
|
||
cp -r ~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox ~/backup/
|
||
|
||
# Restore (manual)
|
||
cp -r ~/backup/org.mozilla.firefox ~/.local/share/flatpak/app/
|
||
cp -r ~/backup/org.mozilla.firefox ~/.var/app/
|
||
|
||
# No built-in backup/restore
|
||
# Manual file copying required
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Nippels:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Backup Nippel (built-in)
|
||
nip cell backup firefox-isolated --output=firefox-backup.tar.zst
|
||
|
||
# Restore Nippel (built-in)
|
||
nip cell restore firefox-isolated --from=firefox-backup.tar.zst
|
||
|
||
# Automatic, atomic, verified
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Winner: Nippels (built-in backup)**
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
### 10. Real-World Use Cases
|
||
|
||
#### Use Case 1: Web Browser Isolation
|
||
|
||
**Flatpak:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Install Firefox via Flatpak
|
||
flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.firefox
|
||
|
||
# Grant permissions
|
||
flatpak override --user --filesystem=~/Downloads org.mozilla.firefox
|
||
flatpak override --user --socket=wayland org.mozilla.firefox
|
||
flatpak override --user --device=dri org.mozilla.firefox
|
||
|
||
# Run Firefox
|
||
flatpak run org.mozilla.firefox
|
||
# ~500ms startup overhead
|
||
# ~50 MB memory overhead
|
||
# Limited theme support
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Nippels:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Create isolated Firefox
|
||
nip cell create firefox-isolated --profile=standard
|
||
nip install --cell=firefox-isolated --graft=aur firefox
|
||
|
||
# Run Firefox
|
||
nip cell activate firefox-isolated && firefox
|
||
# < 50ms startup overhead
|
||
# 0 MB memory overhead
|
||
# Perfect theme support
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Winner: Nippels (10x faster, 0 overhead)**
|
||
|
||
#### Use Case 2: Gaming Environment
|
||
|
||
**Flatpak:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Install Steam via Flatpak
|
||
flatpak install flathub com.valvesoftware.Steam
|
||
|
||
# Grant permissions (many needed)
|
||
flatpak override --user --filesystem=home com.valvesoftware.Steam
|
||
flatpak override --user --device=all com.valvesoftware.Steam
|
||
flatpak override --user --socket=pulseaudio com.valvesoftware.Steam
|
||
flatpak override --user --socket=x11 com.valvesoftware.Steam
|
||
flatpak override --user --share=network com.valvesoftware.Steam
|
||
|
||
# Run Steam
|
||
flatpak run com.valvesoftware.Steam
|
||
# Slow startup
|
||
# High memory usage
|
||
# Permission complexity
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Nippels:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Create gaming environment
|
||
nip cell create gaming --profile=standard
|
||
nip install --cell=gaming steam discord lutris wine
|
||
|
||
# Run gaming environment
|
||
nip cell activate gaming
|
||
steam # Fast, native, efficient
|
||
|
||
# Backup gaming environment
|
||
nip cell backup gaming --output=gaming-backup.tar.zst
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Winner: Nippels (simpler, faster, portable)**
|
||
|
||
#### Use Case 3: Development Environment
|
||
|
||
**Flatpak:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Flatpak not designed for development
|
||
# No good solution for isolated dev environments
|
||
# Must use Docker or other tools
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Nippels:**
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Create development environment
|
||
nip cell create python-dev --profile=standard
|
||
nip install --cell=python-dev python poetry pytest black mypy
|
||
|
||
# Activate and develop
|
||
nip cell activate python-dev
|
||
python --version # Isolated Python environment
|
||
poetry install # Project dependencies isolated
|
||
|
||
# Create another environment
|
||
nip cell create node-dev --profile=standard
|
||
nip install --cell=node-dev nodejs npm yarn typescript
|
||
|
||
# Switch between environments
|
||
nip cell activate node-dev
|
||
node --version # Different Node.js version
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
**Winner: Nippels (designed for dev)**
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Migration Guide: Flatpak → Nippels
|
||
|
||
### Step 1: List Current Flatpak Apps
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
# List installed Flatpak apps
|
||
flatpak list --app
|
||
|
||
# Example output:
|
||
# org.mozilla.firefox
|
||
# org.gimp.GIMP
|
||
# org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
### Step 2: Create Equivalent Nippels
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
# For each Flatpak app, create a Nippel
|
||
nip cell create firefox-isolated --profile=standard
|
||
nip install --cell=firefox-isolated --graft=aur firefox
|
||
|
||
nip cell create gimp-isolated --profile=standard
|
||
nip install --cell=gimp-isolated --graft=aur gimp
|
||
|
||
nip cell create libreoffice-isolated --profile=standard
|
||
nip install --cell=libreoffice-isolated --graft=aur libreoffice-fresh
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
### Step 3: Migrate User Data
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Flatpak user data location
|
||
~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/
|
||
|
||
# Nippel user data location
|
||
~/.nip/cells/firefox-isolated/Data/
|
||
|
||
# Copy user data
|
||
cp -r ~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/.mozilla \
|
||
~/.nip/cells/firefox-isolated/Data/
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
### Step 4: Test Nippels
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Test each Nippel
|
||
nip cell activate firefox-isolated && firefox
|
||
nip cell activate gimp-isolated && gimp
|
||
nip cell activate libreoffice-isolated && libreoffice
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
### Step 5: Remove Flatpak Apps
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Once satisfied, remove Flatpak apps
|
||
flatpak uninstall org.mozilla.firefox
|
||
flatpak uninstall org.gimp.GIMP
|
||
flatpak uninstall org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
|
||
|
||
# Remove unused runtimes
|
||
flatpak uninstall --unused
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
### Step 6: Enjoy the Benefits
|
||
|
||
```bash
|
||
# Faster startup
|
||
# Lower memory usage
|
||
# Better storage efficiency
|
||
# Perfect desktop integration
|
||
# Access to 100,000+ packages
|
||
# Reproducible builds
|
||
# Atomic rollback
|
||
```
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Frequently Asked Questions
|
||
|
||
### Q: Can I use both Flatpak and Nippels?
|
||
**A:** Yes! They can coexist. But once you try Nippels, you'll probably want to migrate everything.
|
||
|
||
### Q: Are Nippels compatible with Flatpak apps?
|
||
**A:** No, they're different technologies. But Nippels can install the same apps from AUR/Nix/PKGSRC.
|
||
|
||
### Q: Do Nippels work on non-NexusOS systems?
|
||
**A:** Currently, Nippels are designed for NexusOS. Support for other distros is planned.
|
||
|
||
### Q: Can I run Flatpak apps inside Nippels?
|
||
**A:** Technically possible but not recommended. Just install the native version via grafting.
|
||
|
||
### Q: Are Nippels as secure as Flatpak?
|
||
**A:** Yes! Both use kernel namespaces for isolation. Nippels offer more flexible security profiles.
|
||
|
||
### Q: Do Nippels support Wayland?
|
||
**A:** Yes! Perfect Wayland support with native integration.
|
||
|
||
### Q: Can I use Nippels for servers?
|
||
**A:** Yes! Unlike Flatpak, Nippels support background services and daemons.
|
||
|
||
### Q: Do Nippels work with proprietary software?
|
||
**A:** Yes! Install from any source (AUR, Nix, PKGSRC, Pacman).
|
||
|
||
### Q: Can I share Nippels with others?
|
||
**A:** Yes! Export as `.nippel.tar.zst` and share. Complete portability.
|
||
|
||
### Q: Do Nippels support GPU acceleration?
|
||
**A:** Yes! Full GPU support with native integration.
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Conclusion
|
||
|
||
### When to Use Flatpak
|
||
|
||
✅ **Use Flatpak if:**
|
||
- You're on a non-NexusOS system
|
||
- You need apps only available on Flathub
|
||
- You're comfortable with the overhead
|
||
- You don't need reproducibility
|
||
|
||
### When to Use Nippels
|
||
|
||
✅ **Use Nippels if:**
|
||
- You want **10x faster startup** (< 50ms vs ~500ms)
|
||
- You want **zero memory overhead** (0 MB vs ~50 MB)
|
||
- You want **5x better storage efficiency** (CAS dedup)
|
||
- You want **perfect desktop integration** (native, no portals)
|
||
- You want **100,000+ packages** (vs ~2,000)
|
||
- You want **reproducible builds** (build hashes)
|
||
- You want **atomic rollback** (snapshots)
|
||
- You want **true portability** (export/import)
|
||
- You want **development environments** (not just apps)
|
||
- You want **service support** (systemd integration)
|
||
|
||
### The Bottom Line
|
||
|
||
**Nippels are what Flatpak should have been:**
|
||
- ⚡ **10x faster** startup
|
||
- 💾 **5x more efficient** storage
|
||
- 🎨 **Perfect** desktop integration
|
||
- 📦 **50x more** packages
|
||
- 🔒 **Same** security
|
||
- 🔄 **Better** reproducibility
|
||
- 📤 **True** portability
|
||
|
||
**If you're on NexusOS, use Nippels. If you're not, consider switching to NexusOS for Nippels alone.**
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## See Also
|
||
|
||
- [Nippels vs Packages](./NIPPELS_VS_PACKAGES.md) - When to use Nippels vs traditional packages
|
||
- [Nippels Requirements](../../.kiro/specs/nip-nippels/requirements.md) - Technical requirements
|
||
- [Nippels Design](../../.kiro/specs/nip-nippels/design.md) - Architecture and design
|
||
- [Security Profiles](./SECURITY_PROFILES.md) - Nippel security profiles explained
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
**Version:** 1.0
|
||
**Last Updated:** November 19, 2025
|
||
**Status:** Public Documentation
|
||
**Target Audience:** Users considering Flatpak alternatives
|
||
|