# Installing extensions in Project IDX using dev.nix configuration file - not working

**URL:** <https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374>\
**Category:** Extensibility\
**Created:** [December 24, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374 "2024-12-24T20:32:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 11\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Masagero](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/masagero/32/3695_2.png) [@Masagero](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/Masagero)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/1 "2024-12-24T20:32:07Z")

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Could you help me with Project IDX. Version: 1.89.1. Browser: Chrome.  
**I want to have googlecloudtools.cloudcode extension installed using dev.nix** configuration file. I have dev.nix like this:

```auto
{ pkgs, ... }: 
{
  channel = "stable-24.05";
  packages = [
    pkgs.python313
  ];
  idx.extensions = [
      "googlecloudtools.cloudcode"
  ];
}

```

Unfortunatelly, **this command does not install** this extension at initialization environment phase of Project IDX startup what I observe on the Extensions list where “Gemini Code Assist + Google Cloud Code” has to be still installed.

 ![IDX not installs extensions](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/idxcommunity/original/2X/1/1e438a227553b0625c8ff301bfdb1ba1b72d3137.jpeg)

The same is happening to other extensions I tried.  
Meanwhile the package python313 installs correctly, what I can check from Terminal.  
No errors show up during IDX startup.

**I don’t want workarounds** (I found them) but I just want to understand how dev.nix works or does not work.

One of workaround is to use Extension Panel on the left in IDX UI and there find and install “Gemini Code Assist + Google Cloud Code” manually.

Another workaround is to delay the extension installation by using a post-initialization script (env parameter) in dev.nix file (–install-extension googlecloudtools.cloudcode after a short delay). This works, but still this is the workaround for me.

Gemini sent me to official Project IDX documentation and support channels for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Here I am. Is it possible to have **extension installed using idx.extensions parameter in dev** \*\*.nix\*\* file? And if so, what am I missing?

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**Author:** ![Max\_M](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/max_m/32/3797_2.png) [@Max\_M](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/Max_M)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 3:20pm UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/2 "2025-01-03T15:20:21Z")

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Did you ever find a solution to this? I am encountering the same issue when trying to install Cline AI editor.

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**Author:** ![kirupa](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/kirupa/32/4_2.png) [@kirupa](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/kirupa)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 6:05pm UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/3 "2025-01-03T18:05:09Z")

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There may be a version mismatch between what is available on Nix and what is available via the extensions marketplace. Let me flag this as something for our team to investigate once they are back from the holidays next week.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Masagero](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/masagero/32/3695_2.png) [@Masagero](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/Masagero)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 9:55am UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/4 "2025-01-05T09:55:33Z")

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I didn’t find the solution. I do it manually in Extension Panel on the left in IDX UI.

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**Author:** ![comradequinn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/comradequinn/32/4052_2.png) [@comradequinn](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/comradequinn)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 9:09pm UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/5 "2025-01-22T21:09:36Z")

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I have this same issue, the relevant sections of `my dev.nix` are below if it helps troubleshooting

```auto
 channel = "stable-24.05"; # or "unstable"

  # Use https://search.nixos.org/packages to find packages
  packages = [
    pkgs.go
    pkgs.gnumake    
    pkgs.python311
    pkgs.python311Packages.pip
    pkgs.google-cloud-sdk
    pkgs.kubectl
    pkgs.k9s
  ];

  # Sets environment variables in the workspace
  env = {};
  idx = {
    # Search for the extensions you want on https://open-vsx.org/ and use "publisher.id"
    extensions = [
      "golang.go"
      "ms-python.python"
      "ms-azuretools.docker"
      "github.vscode-github-actions"
    ];

```

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![comradequinn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/comradequinn/32/4052_2.png) [@comradequinn](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/comradequinn)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/6 "2025-01-22T21:13:05Z")

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Did you get anywhere with this? I am having the same issue I’ve flagged more details in a separate comment [here](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/5)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Masagero](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/masagero/32/3695_2.png) [@Masagero](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/Masagero)\
**Post date:** [January 30, 2025, 10:30am UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/7 "2025-01-30T10:30:40Z")

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Hello @kirupa  
Do you think that in neariest future your team can take care of it?

Forgive me for my additional comment, but I will be honest.  
IDX support is my major indicator to choose this or another IDE.  
Without your as a team engagement this project will fail.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dattranit95](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/dattranit95/32/4274_2.png) [@dattranit95](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/dattranit95)\
**Post date:** [February 10, 2025, 6:43am UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/8 "2025-02-10T06:43:56Z")

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have any new update for this issue?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Adrian](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/adrian/32/5700_2.png) [@Adrian](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/Adrian)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2025, 2:37pm UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/9 "2025-05-24T14:37:36Z")

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Any have updates. I cannot open nor have any idea where you open any extensions once installed. I installed about 10 and now I am stuck knowing how to even open them up? None are in the left sidebar nav

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Masagero](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/masagero/32/3695_2.png) [@Masagero](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/Masagero)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/10 "2025-05-24T15:04:02Z")

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Regarding my issue, I didn’t receive support, but your issue tends to be different. When I install extensions manually (e.g., Gemini Code Assist or HashiCorp Terraform), I can use them and even see their icons in the left sidebar.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/idxcommunity/original/2X/e/e12410675fa14cf2eb8fce96e233b59b55864a9e.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Adrian](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.firebasestudio.dev/adrian/32/5700_2.png) [@Adrian](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/u/Adrian)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://community.firebasestudio.dev/t/installing-extensions-in-project-idx-using-dev-nix-configuration-file-not-working/8374/11 "2025-05-24T22:36:14Z")

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Installed manually?

I just installed the normal way?  
Can’t see any on the left sidebar

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/idxcommunity/original/2X/5/581c894e0205d0021805e3f3d1e946a7a6409fbf.png)
